June 2026
Torticollis Baby Exercises: What Helps and When to Start
Your baby keeps tilting their head to one side, or seems to only look one way. Maybe a doctor mentioned the word torticollis, or maybe you found it yourself after some worried searching. Either way, here is the reassuring news straight away: torticollis in infants responds very well to exercises. These gentle, guided movements stretch a shortened neck muscle and help your baby turn their head evenly, and when started in the first months of life they are usually highly effective. In this article we walk you through the most important torticollis baby exercises, including videos you can follow at home.
What torticollis in infants is in simple terms
Torticollis happens when one sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck becomes tight, causing the head to tilt to one side and rotate to the opposite side. It occurs in some babies and is by no means always the cause of a positional preference. Torticollis is only diagnosed if one of the neck muscles is clearly and palpably thickened or tight. A head tilt also does not automatically mean a neurological disorder: in most infants, torticollis is muscular and responds well to positioning and structured exercises.
Why starting exercises early improves outcomes
The first 6 months are a key window, because babies grow quickly and muscles respond well to stretching. Starting torticollis in infants exercises early also reduces the risk of secondary issues such as plagiocephaly, where uneven pressure creates a flat spot on the head. If you're wondering whether torticollis resolves on its own, read our guide on will babies grow out of torticollis. Not sure yet whether your baby's head shape is already affected? Answer a few quick questions below to find out.
Torticollis in infants stretching exercises: the basic passive stretch
The foundation of torticollis in infants stretching exercises is the passive stretch: gently turning the baby's head toward the tighter side and holding briefly. The movement should be slow, calm, and never forced, and it should stop if your baby becomes distressed. Important: only do stretching exercises under supervision of a pediatric physiotherapist, who will show you exactly how far and how often to stretch. Alongside these stretches, how you position your baby's head while sleeping plays an equally important role in supporting progress.
Side-lying: the most comfortable starting position
First of all, it is important that your baby can lie in a relaxed position without having to hold their head in a contorted way. The best solution for this is side-lying. Lay your baby on the side they are not facing, or alternate sides. Another option is to support the head on both sides with a firm rolled-up towel while lying on the back. Please note: only do this under supervision and when your baby is awake. The video below shows how to practise side-lying. The title mentions fixing a flat spot, but the exercise works exactly the same way for babies with torticollis.
Video: side-lying exercise
Tummy time as a therapeutic tool
Tummy time strengthens neck and shoulder muscles and improves head control, which makes it a valuable part of any set of torticollis baby exercises. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports supervised tummy time while awake as part of healthy motor development. Keep sessions short: a few minutes, several times per day, is plenty for a young baby. In the video below you see how to do tummy time correctly. Again, the title says flat spot, but the approach is identical for torticollis.
Video: tummy time exercise
Active strengthening through play
Beyond positioning and stretching, active exercises encourage your baby to turn their head independently toward the non-preferred side. Placing toys, voices, or faces on that side builds strength and coordination through natural movement. A lovely way to do this is lap play: with your baby on your lap, you naturally invite head turning while keeping close contact. Watch how it works in the video below, which applies to torticollis just as well as to a flat spot.
Video: lap play exercise
Integrating exercises into daily routines
The secret to success is not doing exercises perfectly, but doing them often. Build them into moments you already have: side-lying during play after a nap, a short round of tummy time after every nappy change, lap play while you're on the couch anyway. Approach your baby from the non-preferred side during feeding, carrying and talking, and alternate the direction your baby faces in the crib. This way, practising never feels like a chore for you or your baby. Small moments, repeated throughout the day, add up to real progress.
When professional assessment is recommended
If head movement remains limited after several weeks of exercises, or if flattening becomes noticeable, a pediatric physiotherapist can assess range of motion and measure head shape using tools such as the Skully Care app. And you don't have to wait for an appointment to know where you stand: with the Skully Care app you can measure your baby's head shape yourself, at home, with one photo on your smartphone. You get an objective, clinically validated result in minutes, and by repeating the scan you can see whether the exercises are making a measurable difference.
Common questions about torticollis in infants exercises
How often should torticollis exercises be done?
Most programs recommend multiple short sessions daily, guided by a pediatric professional.
Can torticollis in infants go away without exercises?
All cases have the potential to improve, but guided exercises usually shorten recovery time.
At what age should torticollis exercises start?
As soon as torticollis is identified, ideally within the first days.
Are torticollis stretching exercises painful?
When done gently and correctly, stretching exercises should not cause pain. Always do the stretches under instruction of a pediatric physiotherapist.
What works better: tummy time or side-lying?
Both are valuable. Side-lying is the most comfortable position your baby can sustain the longest, while tummy time builds strength in short sessions. Use them together.
What if flattening develops?
A professional evaluation can measure head shape and guide next steps. You can also measure it yourself at home with the Skully Care app, with reliable results and clear advice on what to do next.
Writen by Elly van der Grift
Elly van der Grift is the co-founder of Skully Care and a pediatric physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience. Her mission is to provide top care for babies with skull deformities. With her infectious enthusiasm, she shares simple, effective tips that can make a big difference for your baby. Working with Elly, you'll feel confident and supported in your baby’s journey to better health.