Infant & Pediatric Physical Therapy in Orange County
Gentle, parent-involved physical therapy for babies dealing with torticollis, plagiocephaly, tummy time difficulty, and motor milestone delays. In-home throughout Orange County or in-office at C+C MotherKin, Costa Mesa.
Overview / What Is It
Your pediatrician said something about a head tilt. Or maybe the nurse mentioned your baby seems to favor one side. Or you've just noticed — the way your little one always looks left, the flat spot forming on the back of their head, the resistance to tummy time that seems like more than typical newborn grumpiness.
You're not overreacting. And you're not alone.
Infant physical therapy addresses early movement challenges that, when caught and treated early, respond beautifully to gentle, hands-on care. Sessions are 55 minutes, playful, and always parent-involved. Dr. Avonlea doesn't just treat your baby — she teaches you exactly what to do between visits so you feel confident supporting your baby's development every day.
Dr. Avonlea Brown is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in infant and pediatric PT throughout Orange County. She works with babies and young children dealing with a range of movement challenges — and she brings that care directly to your home or sees your baby at her Costa Mesa office. Because the best place for a baby to be evaluated and treated is wherever they feel most comfortable.
Early intervention makes a real difference. The sooner movement challenges are addressed, the faster and more completely they typically resolve. If you've noticed something — a head tilt, a flat spot, resistance to tummy time, or a milestone that seems delayed — a free discovery call is the easiest first step.
Conditions We Treat
Torticollis
Neck tightness or shortening causing a head tilt or rotation preference — highly treatable, especially when addressed early.
Plagiocephaly (Flat Head Syndrome)
Asymmetrical flattening of the skull from positional pressure — often occurs alongside torticollis and responds well to early PT.
Motor Milestone Delays (Rolling, Crawling)
When babies aren't rolling, aren't progressing toward crawling, or are skipping foundational movements — PT identifies what's holding them back.
Difficulty with Tummy Time
Tummy time difficulty — screaming, inability to lift the head, always pushing to one side — often has a physical cause that PT can address.
Our Approach
Dr. Avonlea offers two ways to work together — whatever fits best for your family.
In-Home Sessions: She comes to you. She brings her full evaluation and treatment approach right to your living room, nursery, or wherever your baby is most comfortable. In-home sessions allow her to observe your baby in their real environment — the mat they do tummy time on, the bouncer they spend time in, the way your home is set up for play. This context matters. She can coach you in real time with the tools already in your space.
In-Office Sessions: Prefer to come in? Dr. Avonlea also sees patients at her office inside C+C MotherKin in Costa Mesa (3185 Airway Ave, Suite E2, Costa Mesa, CA 92646) — a calm, family-friendly clinical space designed with moms and babies in mind.
Both options include the same thorough evaluation, hands-on treatment, and detailed home program to guide your work between sessions. Sessions are 55 minutes. Dr. Avonlea's approach is gentle and playful — your baby won't be in pain — and she coaches you throughout so you know exactly what to do at home.
Who Is This For
Infant PT is for parents who have noticed:
A head tilt — your baby consistently tilts or rotates their head to one side
A flat spot forming on the back or side of their head
Tummy time difficulty — screaming immediately, unable to lift the head, always collapsing to one side
Motor milestone delays — not rolling by around 6 months, not progressing toward crawling, or skipping foundational movements
Asymmetrical movement — consistently favoring one side, reaching with the same hand, rolling only one direction
Your pediatrician mentioned torticollis, plagiocephaly, or a motor delay at a well-child visit
When in doubt, a discovery call is free.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
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Signs include: consistently tilting or rotating their head to one side, a flat spot on the skull, difficulty or distress during tummy time, strongly favoring one side of the body, or not rolling by around 6 months. Your pediatrician may have already flagged a concern.
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Torticollis is a neck muscle issue — tightness that causes a head tilt or rotation preference. Plagiocephaly is the flat head that often develops as a result. They frequently occur together. Dr. Avonlea addresses both in her treatment approach.
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As early as a few weeks old. Earlier is almost always better — especially with torticollis and plagiocephaly, where the window for the most significant improvement is generally before 6 months. If you've noticed something, don't wait.
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In most cases, no. California allows direct access to physical therapy. If your insurance requires a referral for coverage, Dr. Avonlea can help you understand your options during the free discovery call.
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Each session is 55 minutes. This allows Dr. Avonlea time for thorough hands-on treatment, reassessment, and walking you through the home program and positioning strategies to use between visits.