Am I hurting my baby?

Question

My two month old baby girl has been diagnosed with torticollis and the doctor told us to treat this to do neck stretching exercises with her to stretch out the muscles and give her a better range of motion. When I do the stretches though, she screams like I'm killing her! I feel like I'm hurting her, but the doctor insists it doesn't hurt her. I don't want her to have permanent neck problems so I am going to continue the exercises and look into physical therapy, but do you think I could be hurting her with the stretches?

Answer 1

She needs to do the therapy, and yes, therapy generally does hurt at first. You aren't hurting her though, you are making her uncomfortable as you help her. Don't feel bad. Just give her extra cuddles after.

Answer 2

You should look into a pediatric chiropractor.  You're not harming her but I assume it probably is pretty uncomfortable.  Her neck muscles are just used to being like that and stretching it (think about when you stretch muscles) can be uncomfortable.

A pediatric chiropractor will definately help.

Answer 3

I asked my pediatrician the same question when we had to do the stretches with my daughter and his answer was, "Yes, it hurts her, but it's not harming her."

What I did was wait to do the stretches until she fell asleep, then she didn't notice so much.  Even if she cries a bit you still have to do them so her torticollis gets better.  The stretches will get easier as her muscles loosen up and it won't bother her so much.

Answer 4

I wonder if you can give her some childrens tylenol before doing the stretches? My daughter was born with hip problems and the doctors would purposely try to dislocate her hips. Everytime they did she would scream in pain. It killed me but I knew it was for the best. Good luck.

Answer 5

I agree with Alyssa's Mum here.

I'd possibly look into getting someone to show you a few more times. She could possibly feel discomfort for awhile - I don't know as I haven't suffered from it. But by someone showing you a few more times, you are going to get it right and not feel awkward about doing it.

My youngest, Cody, has bowel problems. We have been doing a few different things with him, after having his Gastrologist show us a heap of times.

Don't feel stupid ringing them up, and explaining to them what's going on. I don't think there is a day where I don't ring up a Doctor for a question regarding one of my boys healthy and welfare.

Added

I am sorry if the last part sounds like I am calling you stupid. I am not. I ask millions of questions about everything and anything. I feel it's the only way to be comfortable in what I do regarding my kids lives.

Answer 6

Passive stretching is a common practice for infants with this problem.Since she had it at birth she probably got it from a malpositioning while in the uterus. The good news is that when at birth this way, it is easier to treat and has better results

Here is a definition of passive stretching to help you out.

A passive stretch is one where you assume a position and hold it with some other part of your body, or with the assistance of a partner or some other apparatus. For example, bringing your leg up high and then holding it there with your hand. The splits is an example of a passive stretch (in this case the floor is the "apparatus" that you use to maintain your extended position).

Hope that this helps. The baby is not hurt, it is just uncomfortable and feels a little scary. Hold the baby and cuddle afterwards and read a book. Do not do it in a way that makes the baby think there is something wrong with what you are doing. Say things like baby neck better, than read book. Nicely and in firm but sweet, calming voice. It may hurt a small amount at first, but not really as much as the baby is scared. Stay calm and know that it is not going to be hurtful to the baby.

Answer 7

I feel for you i had the same thing with my baby.

we do what we have to do it may not feel good but it help her in the long run. yes look in to therapy they will also help you.