Question
A nine-month-old baby is showing a slight head tilt. Is this a normal phenomenon? Parents are concerned and worry that the child’s condition may worsen.
Answer
A nine-month-old baby’s head tilt may be caused by long-term poor sleep posture or habits leading to flattened head shape, or it could be due to congenital torticollis. It is recommended for parents to take the baby to the hospital for a check-up to enable early diagnosis and appropriate corrective measures. The sooner the correction is made, the better the outcome typically is, and conservative treatment methods can be considered. It is suggested to undergo neck ultrasound and other related examinations at the hospital to determine if torticollis is present. If diagnosed, timely pediatric massage therapy should be initiated.