T's appointment

We went to T's physical therapy appointment for her neck yesterday. About 2 weeks ago it seemed to me that T was getting a lot stronger and was leaning less. Last week it definitely seemed that way. During tummy time she can totally pick up her head. She also turns it both to the right and the left when she is on her tummy or being held.

Needless to say, by the time it was time to go to her appointment, I felt like it was unnecessary to go. The physical therapist spent time turning T's head and waving toys in front of her face so that she could observe what T would do. The physical therapist also felt the muscles of T's neck. She said she could hardly tell a difference between the two sides. She said with true torticollis she would be able to feel a difference and that the tight side would most likely feel like a string of muscle or a knot. When she laid T on her back T laid with her head perfectly straight.

I felt a little silly for having gone to the appointment, but I must say that I am relieved to hear from an expert that T's little neck is ok. The physical therapist confirmed there is a tiny bit of flattening on the one side of her head that she preferred to lay on the first 8 weeks of her life, but chances are the flattening started in utero. T was a long baby and she was probably pretty smushed inside of me. The physical therapist said to just monitor what T does with her head and neck, but at this point we don't need to do anything.

Regarding the flat head on one side, she said that laying her on her back if her head is aligned is good for her. T spends a lot of time sleeping on her side (that isn't as flat) and also on her tummy. Now I won't have to feel guilty for putting her (on her back) under the gymini or the mobile in her cradle (which she loves to watch) to keep her busy while I deal with the other 2 little girls that run are part of my life.