Preventing Flat Head in Babies
What is Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly)?
Flat Head Syndrome, known as Plagiocephaly, is a condition where the back or side of baby’s head becomes flat or mis-shaped due to prolonged pressure on the skull from flat surfaces like cot mattresses. New babies spend lots of time lying down, and their skulls are quite soft when they’re very young, so sometimes their head shape is affected.
Plagiocephaly has increased in recent years due to the SIDS recommendation of sleeping babies on their backs to reduce the risk of cot death. If your baby’s head has a flat spot, or is lopsided or mis-shapen, it may have Flat Head Syndrome. It’s more common in premature babies, because their skulls are very soft, and multiple births.
Flat Head and Baby Development.
Until recently, medical professionals thought that Flat Head only affected baby’s appearance. However recent studies from the Seattle Children's Research Institute suggest that it might be an indicator for developmental delays. Dr. Matthew Speltz, clinical psychologist, noted in his study of babies with Plagiocephaly that approximately 25% of babies with Flat Head Syndrome displayed motor or movement skill delays when compared to babies without the syndrome.
Diagnosing and Correcting Baby’s Flat Head.
Medical professionals recommend that you should still follow SIDS safe sleep - put baby on his back to sleep in the cot.
If you’re concerned that your baby might have Flat Head Syndrome, it’s best to check with your pediatrician or health care worker first. If your baby is diagnosed with Plagiocephaly, ask your doctor to check for developmental delays, and discuss the results with them. Don’t forget that babies develop at different rates; your doctor can advise you if they think it’s a problem.
It is possible to correct Plagiocephaly if your baby is under 4 months or still has a soft skull. Sling - wearing (especially when baby is sleeping) giving lots of cuddles and lap time, and lots of tummy time when they are ready, helps prevent and correct Flat Head. The Children’s Medical Centre in Dallas also suggests that if they’re in the cot, place toys such as mobiles to encourage them to move their head away from the flat side so that the head can reshape itself over time.
If the problem is severe and your baby is over 4 months old, they may have to be fitted for a corrective helmet or band to reshape their head. You can find out more about this on the Alexandra’s PHATE blog
Flat Head Syndrome can also be prevented and corrected in babies up to 4 months by the use of the Baby –Head-Rest™. The Baby-Head-Rest allows the baby to still sleep on its back, as recommended by SIDS, while gently holding baby’s head in place and providing support against the cot mattress, preventing flattening. Prevention is much easier on your baby and less expensive than helmet treatment.
The Baby-Head-Rest is not a pillow, but a head support that gently cradles baby’s head while sleeping. It is the only product of its kind that is registered with Therapeutic Goods Administration of Australia as a medical device.
Tags: Flat Head in Babies, Flat Head, Plagiocephaly, baby head shape, baby head rest
