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Neck Illustrated guide

# Infant torticollis: assessment and safe sleep

An illustrated guide to an infant's preference for one side: assessment, awake activities and safe sleep.

Print guide / PDF

![An awake infant lying on their back with their head turned to one side, observed by the mother and doctor.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/torcicollo-preferenza-v1.webp)

![An awake infant lying on their back with their head turned to one side, observed by the mother and doctor.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/de6990030a41a125.webp)

01

## A preference for one side

Head tilt or difficulty turning deserves assessment. Not every case of torticollis has a muscular cause: the paediatrician examines the baby and considers whether further assessment is needed.

![An awake infant on their tummy on a mat, closely supervised by the doctor.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/torcicollo-attivita-v1.webp)

![An awake infant on their tummy on a mat, closely supervised by the doctor.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/0d4bcdd8f8e01e49.webp)

02

## Activities taught for your baby

The paediatrician or physiotherapist teaches positions and movements suited to your baby. Tummy time is for an awake baby under supervision. This illustration does not teach neck mobilisation.

![An infant sleeping on their back in a cot with a flat mattress and fitted sheet, without pillows or objects.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/illustrated-guides/torcicollo-sonno-v1.webp)

![An infant sleeping on their back in a cot with a flat mattress and fitted sheet, without pillows or objects.](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/clinical-print-figures/5d989c10d7f88a44.webp)

03

## On the back for sleep

Place your infant on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface without pillows or positioners. Torticollis is not a reason to use therapeutic sleeping positions.

General information; this guide does not replace an individual medical assessment.

[Dr Daniele Priano — Paediatric orthopaedics](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/about)

[Condition information →](https://ortopediaevolutiva.com/en/conditions/congenital-torticollis)

## Sources
- [Royal Children's Hospital — Congenital torticollis](https://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/guideline_index/Congenital_torticollis/)
- [American Academy of Pediatrics — Safe sleep](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/pages/Preventing-SIDS.aspx)

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Le informazioni cliniche sono divulgative e non sostituiscono una valutazione medica diretta.