Head preference

I think it depends on your area. Here we can call the physio helpline or we can self refer online or our GP (and I assume our HV) can refer us. In the meantime try little tricks like putting them at opposite ends of their crib on alternating nights, feed with them sitting on one side one time and the night time switch sides (if bottle feeding). You can also change them on alternating sides of changing mat. All of this should just encourage them to use the other side more frequently and get them used to using that side again. Of course do this alongside speaking to a physiotherapist though, it's definitely not medical advice, just some tips that my physio gave me in relation to my little ones

I recently spoke to my HV about a referral to physio, my LO is 12 weeks and has right sided preference. She did the referral and also referred for hip scan because they're linked. In the meantime, I have been doing some stuff at home which has helped. Massage with the shower gel in the bathtub (usually it is tight muscles is what I have read), gentle neck stretches (found on google) and encouraging tummy time with his fave toys on the left (he likes watching modern family on TV so I put that on with his head facing the weaker side - Seems to be the most helpful thing actually even though i didnt want screentime). I think cos his head is a lot flatter on the right side, makes it harder to turn his head. This is just while waiting for physio so worth getting yourself referred

Also if your LO doesnt like tummy time which mine deffo didnt, try sitting on the sofa, putting a cushion on your legs (with your legs up on the sofa) and doing tummy time on the cushion, my LO will do a few minutes there but only seconds on the floor

My 12 week old has had a left side preference since birth which has caused him to have a flat head on that side. Doctors refered to pediatrician which still waiting to see however the HV refered us for physio which was a super quick referral. It’s linked to having tight neck muscles from birth but they suggest keeping him upright as much as possible and off his head. Lots of tummy time and encouraging to look the opposite way using toys and rattles etc. we have seen an improvement already in 2 weeks.

Torticollis is really common in little ones. For lots of babies referred to physio, it’s sorted itself out by the time their appointment comes up.
I got in touch with a cousin who is a paediatric physio when I realised she had a strong preference to looking to the left. She gave me a bunch of exercises to try but then my baby had a seriously screamy and grumpy few weeks where we were on pure survival mode. Didn’t do the exercises once and by the time I got around to realising this, the left sided preference was gone.

My son is exactly like this. He’s now got a very flat head on his preferred side. We have physio next month, I just asked the HV to refer him at a drop in clinic.

I know about the exercises already due to his brother having the same thing and he’s only ever on his back at night, nothing has improved yet and I’m panicking about his head shape… it’s so bad. Never experienced the flat head with my first son even though he had torticollis