Understanding Common Baby Diagnoses: Reflux, Torticollis, “Flat Head”, and Developmental Delay

When I became a parent I felt like I stepped into a brand-new world—a world filled with late-nights & early mornings, adorable smiles & giggles, and more baby gear than I ever thought possible. Becoming a parent is definitely an adventure, to say the least! But along this journey, I found myself stumbling upon some unexpected diagnoses with my infant, that I was familiar with as a pediatric therapist, but never thought I would deal with them with my own child. You may have come across some unexpected diagnoses yourself, like reflux, torticollis, “flat head”, or developmental delay. And if your healthcare provider has recently mentioned these to you, then you’re not alone. These are common issues that many parents face (including myself), and the good news is that with a little understanding and the right strategies, you can help your baby through them right at home.

So, let’s dive into each of these diagnoses, starting with one that most new parents have heard of—reflux.

Reflux: The never-ending spitting up…

If you’ve spent any amount of time with a newborn, you’ve likely had to dodge a few spit-up incidents, because spitting up is common. And reflux is a term that gets tossed around a lot in parenting circles because it’s incredibly common in babies. In fact, more than half of all babies experience reflux during their first few months of life (including my first born!). But what exactly is it?

Reflux occurs when the muscle at the top of your baby’s stomach isn’t fully developed yet, allowing stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. This can cause spit-up, which is the more visible side of reflux (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013). Some babies might just spit up without much fuss, while others might experience discomfort due to the acidic nature of the stomach contents. And when reflux causes pain, it’s often referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned when your baby seems uncomfortable, or is spitting up frequently. And you might find yourself doing laundry more often than ever before, constantly trying to keep up with the mess (and washing alllll of the bibs and burp cloths!). But beyond the extra clean-up, reflux can also lead to fussy feeding times, physical discomfort characterized by arching, interrupted sleep, and a generally cranky baby (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013). 

So, what can we do about reflux!?

Managing reflux doesn’t have to take over your life, but it does require a few adjustments, in which many of these adjustments I made with my first born. 

Here are some quick tips by the Mayo Clinic (2024) to help reduce reflux and make your baby more comfortable:

• Feed Smaller Amounts More Frequently: Instead of waiting for your baby to get really hungry and then giving them a big bottle or nursing session, try offering smaller amounts of milk more often. This can help reduce the amount of milk that’s sitting in their stomach at any given time, which in turn reduces the likelihood of reflux.
• Keep Your Baby Upright After Feeding: After feeding, try to hold your baby in an upright position for at least 20-30 minutes. This helps your baby digest the milk, and keeps the stomach contents down. You can hold them against your chest or use a baby carrier to keep them upright while you move around.
• Burp Frequently: Burping your baby often during and after feedings can help release any trapped air that might be contributing to reflux. Some babies need to be burped every few minutes during a feeding, so be patient and take your time. 
• Consider the Type of Formula: If you’re formula-feeding, talk to your pediatrician about whether a different type of formula might help. Some babies with reflux do better on formulas that are specifically designed for sensitive stomachs or that are thicker in consistency.

It’s important to remember that most babies outgrow reflux by the time they start sitting up, starting solids, or around their first birthday. However, if your baby’s reflux is severe, causing significant discomfort, weight loss, or affecting their growth, it’s essential to talk to your pediatrician. They might recommend medications to reduce stomach acid or even refer you to a specialist.

Dealing with reflux with your baby can be super difficult at times. Whether it’s the constant mess you are cleaning up, the laundry that needs to be done, or feeling helpless that you can’t help your baby in pain - I have been there. Hang in there mama, and be sure to talk to your child’s healthcare provider if you need further support for managing your baby’s reflux.

Torticollis: A head tilt & turn

Now, let’s talk about torticollis, another diagnosis that can catch parents off guard. Torticollis, or “wry neck,” occurs when a baby’s neck muscles are tighter on one side than the other, causing them to tilt their head in one direction, and turn in the other. This can happen for a few reasons, including the baby’s position in the womb, how they were positioned during delivery, or what activities they participate in post-birth.

My first born had torticollis, and I quickly picked up on this with him early on (around 2 weeks old). He was a textbook presentation - tilting his head towards his right shoulder and turning up towards his left. He had right side torticollis, with a left turn preference. 

You might notice that your baby always seems to favor looking in one direction or that their head tilts to one side. There is a difference between a head turn preference, and torticollis, but the treatment is very similar with both of these diagnoses. While these turn preferences might seem like a minor issue, if left untreated, torticollis can lead to other problems, like a flat spot on the head (more on that later) or even delays in motor development (rolling, crawling, etc). 

For more information on torticollis, join the Bloom by Infant Insights membership with resources that have helped over 1500+ parents & babies find peace & helpful resources to support their baby.

So how can we correct the torticollis? The good news is that with some simple interventions, most babies with torticollis improve significantly within a few months. Here’s what you can do to help:

• Tummy Time, Tummy Time, Tummy Time! Tummy time isn’t just important for preventing a flat head; it’s also crucial for strengthening your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles. Aim for several short tummy time sessions throughout the day, starting with just a few minutes and gradually increasing as your baby gets stronger. In the early days, your chest is a great place to complete tummy time, or on an elevated surface (wedge, rolled towel, etc). This will encourage them to lift and turn their head, helping to stretch and strengthen the muscles on both sides of their neck.
• Encourage Head Turning: If your baby tends to look to the right, try placing toys, mirrors, or even yourself on their left side to encourage them to turn their head in that direction. You can also change the position you lay them down in the crib, so they have to look the opposite way to see what’s happening in the room. It’s also important to note any turn preferences when holding a baby, or when they are in a container or car seat. Can the positioning in these areas as well to passively encourage non-preferred turning with your baby.
• Stretching Exercises: There are every simple neck stretches to complete with your baby. These are to be completed gently with your baby and very often if they show strong preferences and torticollis symptoms. You can find these stretches here. These exercises are usually quick and easy to do at home and can make a big difference over time when completed frequently. Use a baby carrier with your baby’s head turned to the non-preferred side for a passive stretch for torticollis management.

It’s worth mentioning that torticollis is often diagnosed alongside reflux because babies with reflux tend to keep their body rigid, arch their backs, and turn their heads to the preferred side to alleviate discomfort. If your baby has both conditions (like my first born), working on one of these issues can often help with the other.

“Flat Head” Syndrome: A common diagnosis since Back to Sleep

“Flat head” syndrome, or a flat spot, is SUPER common among infants, affecting 50% or more of babies worldwide. “Flat head” is when one side, or the back, of your baby’s head becomes flat. This is usually due to spending a lot of time lying on their back, maybe during sleep, play, or container / car seat usage. Since the “Back to Sleep” campaign began in the 1990s to reduce the risk of SIDS, flat head syndrome has become much more common. You can read this blog post here to learn more about that interaction. While it’s understandable to be concerned about the shape of your baby’s head, keep in mind that this condition is not just cosmetic. The head is likely flat due to body tension, and the body tension has to be corrected in conjunction with the flattening. 

Download our free “flat head” guide here to learn more about preventing & correcting “flat head” with your baby.

So, how do you fix “flat head”? Just like with reflux and torticollis, there are steps we can take to help prevent or correct flat head syndrome with our infant’s:

• Tummy Time Is Key: You’ve probably heard it a million times by now, but tummy time really is essential! By giving your baby plenty of supervised tummy time, you’re allowing them to strengthen their muscles while also giving the back of their head a break from constant pressure. This significantly reduces your baby’s risk of “flat head” if the baby spends time on their belly, and sides, for as much time during the day as possible. Download a free tummy time guide here!
• Switch Up Positions: When you put your baby down to sleep, or change your baby, try alternating the direction they lie in the crib. For example, one night you can place their head at the headboard, and the next night at the foot of the crib. This encourages your baby to turn their head in different directions, reducing the risk of a flat spot. If yur baby has developed a flat spot, be sure the baby is always turned facing the opposite direction they prefer in all areas (car seat, containers, sleep, changing, play, etc). This is crucial in correcting your baby’s head shape and avoiding a cranial helmet.
• Complete a Repositioning Program: It’s so important to catch any flattening on your baby’s head early. I offer free head shape assessments, so if you’re interested, fill out this form here. If your baby has some flattening on the head, the back or sides, it’s so important to complete 3 things. Stretch baby’s neck, stretch baby’s body, and reposition baby to the more full sides of the head (opposite side, and alternating full sidelying). This is crucial in correcting “flat head” at home and avoiding further intervention. 

One thing to keep in mind is that the bones in your baby’s skull are still soft and malleable, so with time, the head shape will slightly round out naturally. And remember, just like with reflux, flat head syndrome is common, and will usually get better with time, but there are easy things to do to take control of the situation right at home.

Download our free “flat head” guide here to learn more about preventing & correcting “flat head” with your baby.

Developmental Delay: Common, but easy to avoid

Finally, let’s talk about developmental delay. This is a broad term that can refer to a delay in any area of your baby’s development, whether it’s physical, cognitive, language, social, or emotional. As parents, we all eagerly await those first smiles, the first time our baby rolls over, or their first steps. But sometimes, babies take a little longer to reach these milestones, which can lead to a diagnosis of developmental delay.

It’s important to remember that every baby is different, and they all develop at their own pace. However, if you notice that your baby is consistently behind on several milestones, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. Early intervention with licensed therapists is available to support your baby in areas of development, and a referral can be made by your pediatrician if that is deemed necessary. 

For more information on support your baby at home to prevent delay, join the Bloom by Infant Insights membership with resources that have helped over 1500+ parents & babies find peace & helpful resources to support their baby.

But what can we do about developmental delay right away? If you suspect your baby has a slight developmental delay, maybe in areas of gross motor skills (rolling, sitting, crawling, etc), here are some steps you can take to support their growth and development starting today:

• Encourage Purposeful Play: Play is one of the most effective ways to stimulate your baby’s development. Engage your baby in activities that are appropriate for their age and stage, such as playing on the floor with soft toys, singing songs, or reading books together. These interactions help your baby learn new skills and build their confidence. Note: Placing your baby on the floor to explore is the EASIEST way to support development and prevent developmental delay. Avoid using containers excessively with your child.
• Celebrate Small Wins: It’s easy to get caught up in comparing your baby to others, especially when you see other babies reaching milestones that your little one hasn’t yet. I do this too!! Even though I am well versed in baby development… But it’s important to remember that every small achievement is worth celebrating. Whether it’s a mini-milestone improvement in the areas of rolling, or a slightly improved ability to move from sitting to side-sitting in prep for crawling - every single small victory is well worth celebrating.
• Seek Early Intervention: If you’re concerned about your baby’s development, talk to your pediatrician about early intervention services. These programs provide support in areas like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, depending on your baby’s needs. Early intervention can make a significant difference in helping your baby reach their milestones and catch up to their peers.
• Connect with Other Parents: Sometimes, it can be helpful to talk to other parents who are going through similar experiences. I know I find that super helpful as a mom. Whether it’s dealing with reflux, torticollis, flat head syndrome, or developmental delays, connecting with others can provide reassurance and practical advice. The new Bloom by Infant Insights membership is a great way to do that!

For more information on support your baby at home, join the Bloom by Infant Insights membership with resources that have helped over 1500+ parents & babies find peace & helpful resources to support their baby.

As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your baby, especially if you’ve received a diagnosis like reflux, torticollis, flat head syndrome, or developmental delay. I know, personally, I spent so much time worrying, but I promise that the sweet, special memories always take the place of the difficult memories. All of these diagnoses above are SUPER common and many babies experience them. With the right strategies and support, your baby will be well on their way to thriving and you will too mama!

Thanks for reading!