Paediatric Osteopathy - Common Conditions
Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)
Plagiocephaly is a common condition where a baby develops a flat spot on one side or the back of their head, causing the head shape to look uneven or asymmetrical. This happens because a baby’s skull is soft and still developing, so repeated pressure on the same area (like spending lots of time lying in one position) can gradually change the shape.
It’s often linked with things like a preference to turn the head to one side, tight neck muscles (such as torticollis), or spending long periods on their back.
Treatment may include gentle hands-on therapy, exercises, repositioning strategies, tummy time, and addressing any neck tightness or movement preferences.
If you’re worried about your baby’s head shape, early assessment is helpful, as the younger babies are, the more change we can often achieve while the skull is still growing.
Babies can be treated from birth.
Torticollis
Torticollis is a condition where a baby has a preference to tilt or turn their head to one side because of tightness or tension in the neck muscles. This can make it harder for them to comfortably look both ways or feed evenly on both sides.
It often develops because of positioning in the womb, birth strain, or spending a lot of time in one position after birth.
You might notice your baby:
• Prefers looking to one side
• Has difficulty turning their head the other way
• Feeds better on one side than the other
• Has a head tilt or uneven head position
• Develops a flat spot on their head (plagiocephaly) from favouring one side
• Seems unsettled with tummy time or certain positions
The good news is that torticollis responds very well to early treatment. Support may include gentle hands-on therapy, stretches, positioning advice, tummy time guidance, and exercises to encourage balanced movement and strength. Early assessment is important, as addressing neck tension and movement preferences early can help improve comfort, feeding, head shape, and overall development.
Tongue and Lip Ties
Tongue tie and lip tie assessment looks at how the tissues under your baby’s tongue or upper lip may be affecting movement and function.
A tongue tie happens when the band of tissue under the tongue (the frenulum) is tighter, shorter, or positioned in a way that restricts tongue movement. A lip tie is similar, but involves the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums.
Assessment is about much more than simply looking at the tie itself. It focuses on function how well your baby can move their tongue and lips, and whether this is affecting feeding, comfort, or development.
During an assessment, we may look at:
• Tongue mobility (lifting, extending, and side-to-side movement)
• Lip mobility and ability to flange during feeding
• Feeding patterns and latch quality (breast or bottle)
• Clicking, leaking milk, or poor seal during feeds
• Wind, reflux-like symptoms, or unsettled behaviour during or after feeding
• Maternal nipple pain or feeding discomfort
• Jaw tension, neck tension, and body positioning
• Oral muscle tone and coordination
Not all tongue ties or lip ties need treatment. Many babies have visible ties that cause no issues at all. Treatment decisions should be based on how your baby is feeding, growing, and functioning.
If feeding feels difficult, painful, or stressful, an assessment can help identify whether oral restrictions, tension patterns, or other factors may be contributing and guide the best next steps.
Reflux, wind and constipation
Reflux, wind, and constipation are common concerns in babies and can often make feeding and settling more challenging for both baby and parents.
Reflux is when milk flows back up from the stomach, causing frequent spit-up, discomfort, arching, or unsettled behaviour after feeds.
Wind can happen when babies take in extra air during feeding, leading to bloating, discomfort, and difficulty settling.
Constipation can show up as infrequent, hard, or difficult bowel motions, often causing discomfort and straining.
These symptoms can sometimes be linked to feeding mechanics, body tension, positioning, or digestive immaturity. Things like tongue function, latch, neck tension, and tummy pressure can all play a role.
Assessment looks at the bigger picture, including feeding, body tension, positioning, and digestion, to help identify what may be contributing to your baby’s discomfort.
Support may include gentle hands-on therapy, feeding and positioning advice, tummy massage, movement strategies, and practical guidance to help your baby feed, digest, and settle more comfortably. If symptoms are ongoing or severe, it’s important to also involve your GP or paediatric healthcare provider.
If you have any questions or would like to know whether osteopathic care may be suitable for your baby, please feel free to contact the clinic, we’re here to help.