When Your Baby Won't Latch: Could Torticollis Be the Reason?
You were so ready to breastfeed. You took the classes, read the books, worked with a lactation consultant. And still, every feed feels like a struggle. Your baby screams at one breast. They can't seem to get a good latch. Their little head is always tilted to the same side. Nobody has told you why — but there may be a physical reason your baby is having such a hard time.
Breastfeeding is often described as natural and instinctive — and it is. But that doesn't mean it's always easy, especially when something in your baby's body is working against them.
One of the most common and most overlooked reasons newborns struggle to latch is a condition called congenital muscular torticollis. It affects roughly 1 to 2 percent of newborns, making it the third most common musculoskeletal condition in infancy — and many parents have never heard of it until they're already weeks into a frustrating feeding journey.
This post is here to explain what torticollis actually is, how it physically interferes with breastfeeding, and what gentle, conservative care — including chiropractic — can do to help.
What Is Infant Torticollis?
The word "torticollis" comes from the Latin tortus (twisted) and collum (neck). In simple terms, it means the neck is stuck in a position of tilt and rotation — the baby's head tips to one side and rotates toward the opposite shoulder.
The most common form in newborns is congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), which involves tightness or shortening of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle — the large muscle that runs from behind the ear down to the collarbone on each side of the neck. When one SCM is tighter than the other, it pulls the head into a characteristic tilt toward the affected side and rotation away from it.
To picture this: imagine trying to hold your head tilted toward your right shoulder while turned to the left. That's where your baby's neck may be spending most of its time — not by choice, but because the muscle tension makes it difficult to move any other way.
How Does It Happen?
Torticollis in newborns most commonly develops from one of two causes — and often a combination of both.
Intrauterine positioning. In the last weeks of pregnancy, as the baby grows and space becomes limited, sustained pressure on the neck can cause one SCM to shorten or develop increased tension. Research has found that approximately half of infants with torticollis have a history of constrained positioning in utero — particularly larger babies, babies in breech or other unfavorable positions, and babies in mothers with reduced amniotic fluid.
Birth mechanics. The forces involved in delivery — whether vaginal or cesarean — can place significant stress on the cervical spine and surrounding soft tissues. Prolonged labor, instrumental deliveries (forceps or vacuum), and rapid deliveries can all contribute to muscle tension or joint restriction in the neck that presents as torticollis in the days and weeks after birth.
In many cases, what we're working with isn't just a tight muscle — it's a baby whose cervical spine and surrounding soft tissues experienced real physical forces during the most intense physical event of their short life.
Why Torticollis Makes Breastfeeding So Hard
A newborn's ability to latch and feed effectively depends on far more than just the mouth. It requires the whole upper body to be involved — the jaw, tongue, palate, throat, and critically, the neck.
For a baby to latch well, they need to be able to:
Turn their head comfortably to both sides
Extend the neck slightly to open the airway while swallowing
Maintain a midline, symmetrical position at the breast
Stay relaxed enough for the sucking reflex to work efficiently
When one side of the neck is significantly tighter than the other, all of this becomes harder. The baby can turn easily toward their comfortable side — but turning the other direction is restricted, uncomfortable, or even painful. This is why so many babies with torticollis will latch well on one breast and refuse or struggle at the other.
A 2015 paper published in the Journal of Human Lactation (Genna, 2015) described this clearly: infants with unilateral sternocleidomastoid tension and associated craniofacial, spinal, and hip asymmetries may feed poorly. The anatomical and muscular asymmetry stresses both the biomechanics of latching and the baby's overall state regulation — meaning a baby with torticollis is often more fussy, harder to settle, and more easily overwhelmed at the breast.
A scoping review published in BMC Pediatrics (Lavigne et al., 2019) also found that among International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs), congenital torticollis was identified as the most common musculoskeletal problem contributing to breastfeeding difficulties — accounting for 25% of identified musculoskeletal causes.
Signs Your Baby May Have Torticollis
Many parents don't realize their baby has torticollis because it can be subtle, especially in the early weeks. Here are the signs worth paying attention to:
Head and neck:
Head consistently tilted to one side
Head rotated so the face turns preferentially one direction
Appears uncomfortable or stiffens when you try to turn their head the other way
A small, firm lump or thickening felt in the side of the neck (this is the SCM muscle, not cause for alarm, but worth having evaluated)
Feeding:
Latches well on one side but refuses or struggles on the other
Slides off the breast repeatedly on one side
Arches away from the breast on one side
Nursing sessions feel significantly different depending on which side you offer
Positioning and movement:
Strongly prefers to look to one side
Head flattening on one side of the skull (plagiocephaly) developing over the first weeks
Facial asymmetry
Tends to sleep with head turned the same way every time
None of these signs alone confirms torticollis — and some, like a slight head preference, are common in many newborns. But if you're seeing a pattern of one-sided difficulty, it's worth having your baby evaluated.
What Chiropractic Care Does — and Doesn't Do
This is important to understand clearly.
Chiropractic care for infants with torticollis is not about forcefully straightening the neck, cracking anything, or making dramatic corrections. Infant adjustments use extremely gentle, precise, low-force techniques — the amount of pressure used is often compared to the pressure you'd use to check if a tomato is ripe.
What chiropractic care addresses is the joint and neurological component of the picture. When the cervical spine has restricted motion — when joints aren't moving freely through their full range — the surrounding muscles compensate. They tighten. They hold patterns of tension. Gentle, specific adjustments work to restore normal motion to those restricted joints, which takes the mechanical load off the tight muscles and gives the nervous system a clearer signal.
For babies with torticollis, this often means:
Improved range of motion in cervical rotation
Reduced muscle guarding and tension
Better symmetry in head position over time
A baby who is calmer and more comfortable at the breast
What chiropractic care does not replace is stretching, physical therapy, or lactation support. The research is clear that the most effective approach to infant torticollis is a collaborative one — and the earlier the better.
A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Antares et al.) confirmed that conservative, non-surgical treatments including manual therapy show promising results for improving cervical range of motion in infants with CMT, with a favorable safety profile. The authors also noted that early intervention is associated with better outcomes.
A 2019 systematic review published in BMC Pediatrics examined manual interventions for musculoskeletal factors in infants with suboptimal breastfeeding and found support for manual therapy approaches when musculoskeletal dysfunction — including torticollis — was identified as a contributing factor.
The Importance of Early Care
This point is worth emphasizing: timing matters.
The SCM muscle and surrounding cervical tissues respond best to intervention when the baby is young and the nervous system is highly plastic — most adaptable to change. Research consistently finds that outcomes are significantly better when torticollis is identified and addressed before three to four months of age, with the fastest resolution occurring in babies treated within the first month of life.
This doesn't mean older babies can't benefit — they absolutely can. But if something seems off in those early weeks of feeding, the right time to have it looked at is now, not after you've spent months struggling through every nursing session.
Working Alongside Your Care Team
A baby with torticollis often benefits from a coordinated team. At a minimum, this might include:
A pediatric chiropractor — to evaluate and address joint restriction and neurological tension in the cervical spine and cranium.
A lactation consultant (IBCLC) — to assess the latch mechanics and provide feeding support strategies, including positioning adaptations that accommodate the baby's current range of motion while the structural work happens.
A pediatric physical therapist — to provide targeted stretching and strengthening exercises for the SCM and surrounding muscles, and home exercise guidance for parents.
Your pediatrician — to rule out any other causes of head tilt or feeding difficulty and coordinate care.
These providers don't compete — they each address different parts of the same picture. A chiropractor restoring joint mobility makes it easier for the physical therapist's stretches to be effective. Improved range of motion makes it easier for the lactation consultant's positioning strategies to work. The whole baby benefits when the whole team is communicating.
What to Expect at Your Baby's First Visit
If you bring your newborn in for a chiropractic evaluation, here's what actually happens.
The first visit is primarily about assessment. A thorough consultation covers your pregnancy history, labor and delivery details, any symptoms you've noticed, and your specific concerns about feeding. The chiropractor will gently examine your baby's cervical range of motion, muscle tone and tension, reflexes, and overall symmetry.
Your baby does not need to do anything. They can be awake, sleepy, feeding, or in your arms during the exam. Everything is done at a pace that keeps them as calm and comfortable as possible.
If care is recommended, infant adjustments are performed with your baby lying on the table or held in your arms — whatever position works best. The techniques used are specific to the size and developmental stage of a newborn. There is no rotation, no thrusting, no sound. Most babies tolerate their adjustments calmly, and many fall asleep during or shortly after.
A Note to Struggling Mamas
If you are reading this at 3am after another painful, tearful feeding session — this is for you.
You haven't failed. Your baby isn't broken. And you haven't imagined that something feels structurally off.
Breastfeeding challenges that stem from torticollis are not a reflection of your effort, your milk supply, or your bond with your baby. They are a physical problem with a physical component that can be assessed and addressed.
Getting your baby evaluated doesn't mean you've given up on breastfeeding. It means you're looking at every piece of the puzzle — which is exactly what a good parent does.
Ready to Have Your Baby Evaluated?
At Heal Within Chiropractic in Schaumburg, IL, Dr. Desiree Lombos provides gentle, specific chiropractic care for newborns and infants. She sees babies from the earliest weeks of life and works closely with lactation consultants and pediatricians to support the whole feeding journey.
If your baby has a head tilt, struggles to latch on one side, or you simply want their spine evaluated after birth, we'd love to see them.
Book Your Baby's Free Consultation Today →
New patients are always welcome. We offer a free consultation so you can ask your questions and feel confident before beginning care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my baby has torticollis or just a head preference? Many newborns show a mild positional preference, especially in the first few weeks. True torticollis typically involves a consistent, noticeable head tilt to one side combined with difficulty rotating toward the opposite side — and it often comes with feeding difficulty on one side. If you're unsure, a chiropractic or physical therapy evaluation can help clarify what's going on.
Is chiropractic care safe for newborns? Yes, when performed by a chiropractor trained and experienced in pediatric care. Infant adjustments use extremely gentle, low-force techniques specifically adapted for a newborn's developing spine. The pressure used is comparable to what you'd use to gently test a piece of fruit. A 2019 systematic review of spinal manual therapy in infants found a favorable safety profile when appropriate techniques are used.
My baby is 3 months old — is it too late to start? It's never too late, though earlier is generally better for outcomes. Babies at 3 months, 6 months, and beyond can all benefit from chiropractic evaluation and care for torticollis. The goal at any age is to restore as much symmetrical motion as possible and reduce the compensation patterns the body has developed.
Can torticollis resolve on its own? Mild postural torticollis can sometimes improve with positioning changes and tummy time alone. More significant cases — especially those involving restricted cervical range of motion or a palpable SCM tightness — generally respond better and faster with early professional intervention. Untreated moderate-to-severe torticollis can lead to plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and facial asymmetry over time.
Should I see a chiropractor or a physical therapist for my baby's torticollis? Both can play a valuable role. Physical therapists focus on stretching, strengthening, and home exercise programs. Chiropractors address joint mobility and neurological function. Many babies benefit from both. A good chiropractor will tell you clearly if your baby needs physical therapy as part of their care — and vice versa.
Will my baby need to come back multiple times? Most babies with torticollis require a series of visits, not just one. The number depends on the severity of the restriction and how long it's been present. You'll typically see progressive improvement in range of motion and feeding comfort over the course of care, and your chiropractor will reassess regularly and adjust the plan as your baby responds.
References
Genna, C.W. Breastfeeding infants with congenital torticollis. Journal of Human Lactation, 31(2), 216–220. 2015. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334414568315
Antares, J.B., et al. Efficacy of non-surgical, non-pharmacological treatments for congenital muscular torticollis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26(1), 178. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08407-3
Lavigne, V., et al. Manual interventions for musculoskeletal factors in infants with suboptimal breastfeeding: a scoping review. BMC Pediatrics, 19(1), 150. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-019-1508-4
Driehuis, F., et al. Spinal manual therapy in infants, children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis on treatment indication, technique and outcomes. PLoS One, 14(6), e0218940. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218940
NIH StatPearls. Congenital Torticollis. National Library of Medicine. Updated 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549778/
