KISS syndrome in babies: what is it and what can you do about it?

How nice that you're reading along again. With my blogs, I aim to support parents in parenting and raising their children. Parenthood is beautiful, but it can also be intense. You are allowed to enjoy it — even when it feels heavy. Try not to see challenges immediately as problems, but as a natural part of this special journey. Enjoy reading!

What is KISS syndrome?

The term KISS syndrome stands for Kinematic Imbalance due to Suboccipital Strain. Simply put, it means there is a disturbance in the mobility and symmetry of a baby's cervical (neck) vertebrae.

This disturbance can arise during childbirth, for example when a lot of pressure is placed on the baby's neck. This can affect how well your baby can move their head and neck — and may have consequences for development and behavior.

Possible signs of KISS syndrome

Babies who are suspected of having KISS syndrome may sometimes show the following signs:

• A preferred head position (always turning the head to one side)
• Tilted head or curved spine (scoliosis)
• Asymmetrical movement of the arms and legs
• Flat spot on the back of the head
• Excessive crying and difficulty sleeping
• Cold hands and feet
• Arching or stiffening of the body
• Restlessness, tantrums, and overstimulated behavior
• Not wanting to crawl but instead scooting on the bottom

Of course, these symptoms can also have other causes. It is important to always have a thorough examination to determine what is really going on.

Treatment and discussion

Some parents choose treatment by professionals such as:

• Pediatric physical therapists
• Manual therapists
• Osteopaths
• Craniosacral therapists
• Chiropractors

They usually use gentle techniques to improve mobility in the neck. Many parents report noticing improvements in their baby's behavior or comfort after such treatment.

Important to know: the existence of KISS syndrome and the effectiveness of these treatments have not been scientifically proven. Some doctors are therefore cautious. They point to the lack of evidence and the risk of complications, especially if the treatment is not performed properly.

My experience as a mother

Fortunately, my children did not have KISS-related complaints. However, with my eldest son I did have doubts. His birth was difficult, and I had to suppress the pushing urge for a long time. When he was born, he cried a lot and held his head tilted to one side. I wondered whether this was due to the delivery — could it have been KISS?

Experiences of other parents

In my work supporting parents, I hear these kinds of stories more often. Parents sometimes intuitively feel that "something isn't right," but receive little recognition from doctors — precisely because KISS syndrome is not a recognized medical diagnosis.

Still, there are parents who, on their own initiative, visit an osteopath or manual therapist and say they benefit from it. After one or more treatments, their baby may become calmer, sleep better, or move more smoothly.

Whether this is due to the treatment or because the symptoms diminish on their own is difficult to say — but parents' feelings are valid and deserve to be heard.

Finally

Do you feel that something isn't quite right with your baby? Trust your intuition, but also remain critical. Always consult your family doctor or child health clinic before deciding on treatment. And don't forget: you know your baby best.

If you would like to reread the symptoms and treatments, physician and manual therapist H. Biedermann describes them in his book:

Thank you for reading this blog. Take good care of yourself, be kind to yourself — and in doing so, to your child as well. Maybe until next time.

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