Could facial tension or torticollis cause latch issues for my baby?
That’s a great question—and worth looking into when trying to figure out what’s causing latching difficulty. Facial tension and torticollis are two of several potential issues.
Both of these conditions can affect a breastfed baby's ability to latch by making it hard to turn their head or open their mouth wide. That can lead to a shallow or painful latch and poor milk transfer. Sometimes, both issues happen at the same time.
What is Torticollis?
Torticollis is when a baby’s neck muscles cause their head to twist or tilt to one side. You might notice your baby’s head turned at an odd angle. One of the most common causes of torticollis is how the baby was positioned in the womb. It’s fairly common in newborns, and we will focus on the type that is present at birth. This type of torticollis usually isn’t painful for babies.
Symptoms of Torticollis Include:
- Head tilting to one side and chin tilting to the other
- Limited ability to move the head or neck
- One shoulder higher than the other
- Swollen neck muscles
- A small lump in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which connects the breastbone, head, and neck
How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
Your baby's doctor will examine their neck and look for stiff or swollen muscles. They may order imaging to get a better look.
Your doctor will likely teach you how to gently stretch your baby’s neck muscles by moving their head to the opposite side of the tilt. They may also suggest positioning your baby differently during naps and bedtime—still on their back, but with their head turned the other way. You can also engage your baby with toys to encourage them to turn their head in both directions.
Doctors may suggest specialists, like physical therapists, if needed. They may also refer you to a feeding therapist, such as a speech-language pathologist (SLP), who works with babies with oral motor or sucking difficulties.
Many moms find that pediatric chiropractic care makes a big difference in their baby’s ability to turn their head and latch. Talk to your doctor about whether this is a good option.
What is Facial Tension?
Facial tension is abnormal tightness or stiffness in a baby’s facial muscles that limits movement. This can make it hard for a newborn to latch well, transfer milk, or feel comfortable during feeding.
Like torticollis, facial tension can be related to birth trauma or how the baby was positioned in the womb. Babies born by C-section don’t go through the squeezing and pressure that happens during a vaginal birth. That pressure helps shape a baby’s head and face, and it may help release tension in the body. Because C-section babies miss out on this part of birth, some—though not all—may have more tightness in their face or body, which can sometimes affect feeding or comfort.
Symptoms of Facial Tension Include:
- Uneven facial features, with one side appearing more tense than the other
- Shallow latch due to difficulty opening the mouth wide enough to create a seal around the nipple and areola
- Tightness or misalignment of the jaw
- Grimacing or squirming
- Constant arching of the back
- Gas and reflux
- Strong dislike of tummy time
- Nipple pain for the breastfeeding mom
Feeding isn’t supposed to be hard for a baby. If they seem tense, that can be a clue that feeding is more difficult than it should be. During breastfeeding, watch your baby’s face. If you see white patches on their face while the rest is pink, that’s a sign of poor blood flow and possible tension. The most common spots are between the eyebrows, above the lip, and on the cheeks.
You can also observe how long your baby can hold their mouth open when latching. Does your baby open wide and hold it for at least two seconds? Or does their mouth snap shut quickly, like a turtle? If your baby can’t keep their mouth open for more than two seconds, tension may be the reason.
How is it Diagnosed and Treated?
Always share your concerns about feeding, latch, or tension with your baby’s doctor. They can help identify what’s going on and rule out other causes.
Craniosacral therapy (CST) and Myofascial Release (MFR) are gentle, hands-on therapies that some parents use to help treat facial tension, body tightness, and tongue or lip ties. These therapies may benefit people of all ages, including newborns. While many families report positive outcomes—like improved latch, reduced fussiness, and better body relaxation—the scientific evidence supporting these therapies is limited. Ask your doctor if they have a recommendation for a trained professional who specializes in these treatments in infants.
You can also ask about a pediatric chiropractor who can assess any spinal misalignment issues that could be contributing to your baby’s tension.
Some of these approaches are called “bodywork” and focus on releasing tension in muscles and connective tissue to help improve comfort and function.
Your peer counselor can help with latch and positioning tips and can refer you to our breastfeeding specialist (IBCLC) for more support.
Other helpful strategies include:
- Supervised tummy time, which helps strengthen core muscles and reduce body tension
- Learning massage techniques to help release tight muscles
- Exploring the possibility of a tongue or lip tie with your doctor, a lactation consultant, or a trained dentist. Treatment may include a simple procedure or a more conservative approach, depending on the cause and severity.
Bottom Line
If your baby has trouble latching, seems tense, or always favors one side, facial tension or torticollis may be part of the issue. With the right support, many babies improve quickly. You don’t have to figure it out alone—your peer counselor, doctor, and lactation consultant can help guide the next steps.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22430-torticollis
https://www.birthinjuryguide.org/treatments/craniosacral-therapy/
https://choc.org/rehabilitation/myofascial-release/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10027090/
Comments
Article is closed for comments.