Baby Flat Head Syndrome

Baby Flat Head Syndrome - Treatment & Prevention - Tips & Advice

5 Tips to Prevent Baby Flat Head Syndrome in 2018

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5-Tips-to-Avoid-Baby-Flat-Head-Syndrome

As parents prepare to meet their new arrival, they read books, blogs and websites to help prepare them for what’s to come. Knowing the do’s and don’ts of new parenthood can be a game changer. Chances are they have read cautionary warnings about baby flat head syndrome or plagiocephaly. That flattening of the head that all parents want to avoid. While it isn’t inherently dangerous to baby, if you can prevent plagiocephaly wouldn’t you.

Wondering how to prevent baby flat head syndrome in your baby?

Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to prevent baby flat head syndrome.

Minimize Time in the Car Seat to Prevent Baby Flat Head Syndrome

One of the major contributing factors to baby flat head syndrome is time prolonged periods of time in the same position. This includes time spent in the car seat. For so many busy families, infants spend a great deal of time in their car seat. If baby falls asleep, it’s easy for parents to allow baby to continue sleeping, but it is best to move them from their car seat to another spot.

Repositioning Avoids Baby Flat Head Syndrome

Repositioning is one of the best ways to help prevent plagiocephaly. This includes a number of options. First parents can alternate the head direction that baby sleeps on each night. This becomes less helpful as baby’s neck becomes stronger and they can control their head movement. Another type of repositioning is encouraging tummy time. Note that all tummy time must supervised by an adult. Finally, be sure to move your baby throughout the day. They may prefer their favorite swing or bouncy seat, but too much time in one spot can cause flattening.

Play with Baby to Avoid Plagiocephaly

This one may seem like an oversimplification, but it so important. Take a few minutes throughout the day to play with your baby. Play gyms, mats, and activity centers help stimulate their minds and move their body. Playtime is a great way to get baby to move their head from one prone position. Playtime is an easy way to prevent plagiocephaly and engage your baby.

Consider Infant Massage and Stretching

A popular trend for new parents is to use massage and stretching to stimulate their baby. Gently massaging and stretching baby’s body can help activate baby mentally and physically. If you plan to use infant massage it is smart to do a little research, since there are do’s and don’ts of baby massage.

Check out the Various Retail Options

Because baby flat head is so prevalent, many major retailers and inventors have come up with clever ways to help parents steer clear of this unwanted diagnosis. Some of our favorites include:

• Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support – This support pillow can be used in the stroller, swing, bouncy chair or just about anywhere to help support baby’s head properly.
• Babymoov Lovenest – This little pillow can also be used just about anywhere and helps gently support baby’s head in a position that will keep baby flat head syndrome at bay.
• Cloud Lamb Organic Cotton Baby Pillow – Shaped like a lamb, this pillow is another great way to safely avoid plagiocephaly while baby sleeps or rests.

Best Plagiocephaly Treatments in 2018

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Best-Plagiocephaly-Treatments-of-2018According to a recent study conducted at Seattle Children’s hospital, Plagiocephaly or Baby Flat Head Syndrome effects almost half of the infants – with 46.6 percent of babies in the study have some degree of flattening. This trend is in large part due to the 1992 referendum known as Back to Sleep. The campaign worked to minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) when babies sleep on their stomachs. While the rise of baby flat head syndromes increases, the rate of SIDS has significantly improved.

It’s clear that this is a valuable tradeoff. However, if you are facing the impact of plagiocephaly in your child, it might leave you wondering about the best treatment. Let’s take a look at some of the best Plagiocephaly Treatments in 2018.

Repositioning Can Help in Mild Plagiocephaly Cases

While repositioning might not be enough in more severe cases, moving baby into different positions throughout the day can alleviate symptoms in mild and sometimes moderate cases. Many babies have a preference on what direction they face when they sleep or play, so shifting these positions can help keep baby from spending too much time laying on one side of their skull.

Don’t Forget Tummy Time

Once babies are old enough to control the muscles in their neck and start raising their head off the ground they are ready for tummy time. Tummy time comes in many different shapes and sizes, depending upon the needs of baby and parents. Some of our favorites include:

• Simply roll and receiving blanket in a roll and place it under baby’s breastbone. This will help support the proper position.
• Place baby across your knees and allow her to lift her head.
• The Infantino Twist and Fold Activity Gym includes a great tummy time bolster pillow to make tummy time easy and fun.
• The Infantino Prop-A-Pillar Tummy Time & Seated Support doubles as both a tummy time pillow and a spot for baby to sit when he gets a little older.

The most important thing to remember when doing tummy time is that baby MUST be supervised at all times.

Baby Wearing to Treat Baby Flat Head Syndrome

In some mild cases, the answer to repositioning and avoiding laying on one side is to take up with the baby wearing craze. Wearing your baby in a sling, carries or wrap means less time spent laying on their back. While babywearing isn’t for every parent, it might be a great temporary fix to allow the skull to reshape. Some popular babywearing options include:

• The Baby Wrap Ergo Carrier Sling – by CuddleBug comes in a range of colors and allows several positions for baby
• Boba Wraps are another easy to use wrap option for successful babywearing
• The Ergobaby 360 is a great carrier that gives parents multiple ways to wear baby comfortably.

Cranial Orthosis or Repositioning Helmets

In moderate to severe cases of baby flat head syndrome, a helmet might be a must to help reshape babies head and protect her development. At one time there was a fear factor about these helmets and their purpose, but as more babies are diagnosed with the condition, more people are well informed about why babies need them. Babies will generally wear their specially molded helmet 23 hours a day for an average of 3 months. For many new parents these helmets initially seem like quite an imposition, but most quickly find that babies don’t really mind wearing them.

What Is Early Intervention and How Can It Help?

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What is Early InterventionIf your child is showing symptoms of flattening of the head or your doctor has already diagnosed your baby with plagiocephaly, you may have heard about something called EI or Early Intervention. You may know they are a resource you can use, but what exactly is Early Intervention and how can they help your family.

What is Early Intervention?

Each state supports an organization that helps children and families deal with medical, developmental and other issues. Most often the age range for  eligibility for EI services is birth to 3 years old. Each state offers this free or low cost service to families who meet eligibility criteria.

Most state EI programs offer physical therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, speech therapy and other important services either in the home or daycare center. The goal is to treat young children where they are most comfortable to make the most progress in their early years.

How do I initiate the process?

If you have suspicion that your child might be suffering from baby flat head syndrome, EI is one of the places you can reach out to for help and guidance. Each state has an office, usually run by the state department of health. Parents can contact their state EI agency and request an assessment if they feel their children need help.

What role can EI play in plagiocephaly treatment?

Early Intervention Specialists and therapists can play a number of roles in the treatment of plagiocephaly. They can help assess whether further treatment is warranted and help you find the right doctors and orthotists to treat your baby. In less severe cases they can help create a repositioning protocol and physical therapy regiment to avoid advancement of the symptoms.

How do I start working with EI?

It’s as simple as a phone call or registering online (in some states). A team will come meet with your family to get a sense of your needs. From there they will create a plan and a team of specialists who can help you and your baby.

What happens while working with an EI Therapist?

Therapists will come into the home or child care facility and work hands with your child. By helping strengthen muscles and finding better positioning, EI therapists have a host of tips and tools. EI interventionists work with many families dealing with baby flat head syndrome. Many parents note that these therapists are some of the best resources available.

Can Early Intervention really help?

The in-home team approach can make all the difference in the world when it comes to plagiocephaly treatment. Their goal is to not only help your child, but also support and teach you along the way.

Early Intervention programs are a great resource for many pediatric issues. In the case of plagiocephaly an EI therapist can be a wonderful resource in a number of areas. From helping with physical or occupational therapy to helping your family deal with cranial remolding therapy, EI is there to help your child’s condition improve. Still not sure? You can always talk with your child’s pediatrician about whether EI is a good fit for your families needs.

The Best Baby Pillows to Avoid Flat Head Syndrome

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Best-Baby-PillowsOne way that some parents are avoiding the effects of flat head syndrome is by using specially designed infant pillows. These pillows provide the infants head with cushioning that works to disperse the pressure put on the back of the skull when baby lays on her back. The goal of the pillow is to avoid flattening of the skull by giving a cushioned base to lie on. Here we will look at five of the best baby pillows for avoiding flat head syndrome.

Best Ergonomic Baby Pillows for Avoiding Flat Head Syndrome:

Babymoon Pod – For Flat Head Syndrome & Neck Support (Baby Blue)is handmade with an ergonomic shape that provides neck and head support for infants. It will help prevent or correct flat head syndrome. It can be used lying down, in the car seat, swing, stroller or under a baby gym. The narrow design ergonomically fits baby’s natural head shape. Because so many babies have a preferred sleeping side, the sides of the ErgoPillow are soft to help avoid side deformation, while giving firm side support. It is made from minky velour polyester and is filled with 100 percent non-allergenic polyester fiberfill.

Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support Tiny Triangles, Gray is designed to elevate and cradle your baby’s head in a natural position. The unique, patented cut out design of this support makes it great for outings in the stroller, hanging out in the swing or bouncing in the bouncer. The soft padding cradles baby’s head allowing for all-over comfort.

Best Round Baby Pillows for Avoiding Flat Head Syndrome:

Babymoon Pod – For Flat Head Syndrome & Neck Support (Baby Blue) is another great option for avoiding flat head syndrome. It has multiple uses, offering head support for infants 0-6 months and adjusts into a neck support for 6-12 months. Use it lying down on changing pad, nursing, playtime, in the bouncer, stroller and in the car seat. The filling is 100 percent plush polyester and is hypoallergenic.

Infant Head Shaping Memory Foam Pillow & Bamboo Pillowcase. Luxury Baby Shower Gift to KEEP a baby’s head round. is a round memory foam pillow that uses a safe BASF memory foam design. It cradles baby’s head to encourage natural round growth, while also keeping them comfortable. The hypoallergenic bamboo is safe and gentle on baby’s skin. It was created by mothers, for mothers and offers support for growing baby’s.

Mimos Baby Pillow (XL) – Airflow Safety (German TUV Certification) – Size XL (1- 10 Months) – The only breathable safe and clinically tested effective baby pillow for plagiocephaly addresses the problem that arises when baby reaches around 3 months and corrective positioning no longer works. This pillow alleviates the pressure on your baby’s head and has proven results, particularly when used from birth. It relieves the pressure on your baby’s skull during rest, play and sleep. This pillow eliminates the need for constant repositioning of your baby’s head. It is breathable, completely safe and has been cited in health journals as a great way to avoid plagiocephaly in babies.

 

How Do I Know When to Talk to the Pediatrician About Plagiocephaly?

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When-to-talk-to-the-doctor-about-plagiocephalyMaybe you are a first time parent or maybe you have other children but never noticed head flattening before. Perhaps a friend or relative commented on the shape of your infant’s head. Regardless, you may wonder how flat is too flat when it comes to your infants head. Here are some helpful hints to help you determine when it’s time to make an appointment and talk to the pediatrician.

Monitor Your Baby’s Head Shape

A good first step when thinking about whether you need to talk to a doctor is to take a good long look at the shape of your baby’s head. One way is to enlist the help of a spouse or other family member to hold baby while you carefully observe. Have that other person hold baby quietly in their lap so you can look at the head shape from above, behind and face-to-face. Look for things like flattening and asymmetry. A typical head shape for an infant would be approximately 1/3 longer than it is wide. Babies experiencing flat head syndrome may have a head shape that appears flat on one side, wide towards the back, or long and thinner than normal.

Monitor Any Changes in Shape

Another important part of the process is to monitor your baby’s head shape. If you begin to offer baby more time upright, on her tummy or in a carrier you may notice a reduction in the flattening. However if you feel like it is advancing, make an appointment and have baby evaluated by a doctor.

Check Baby’s Ear Alignment

Another telltale sign of flat head syndrome is misalignment of the ears. If you place baby in your lap and place your fingers at the same spot on each ear you can look to see if your fingers are aligned. If they are spread wide apart this is a good sign that you should make an appointment to have baby assessed.

Take a look at Baby’s Facial Symmetry

Facial symmetry is another way to determine the severity of baby’s head flattening. Because you look at baby every day, you might not even see a lack of symmetry. To check for symmetry you might want to ask a friend or family member to help you. Using a mirror look at baby’s face and check for things like eye shape or cheek fullness. If you begin to notice that things are slightly asymmetrical, this would be another sign you should make an appointment for baby to be seen.

When in Doubt, Talk to a Professional

All parents know that when you are in doubt, pediatricians welcome questions and concerns. By working with your child’s doctor you can start the process of evaluating and treating flat head syndrome.

Plagiocephaly is a highly treatable condition with the great possibility of no long-term impact on baby. That being said, it is best to start treatment as early as possible. So if you have concerns, talk with your pediatrician and put baby on the path to healthy development.

Advantages of In-Home Therapy for Flat Head Syndrome

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In-Home-Therapy-AdvantagesYour baby has been diagnosed with something you can barely pronounce – plagiocephaly. This in itself might be enough to send you reeling. When you start reading about the treatments and therapies and specialists, it’s probably enough to push you over the top. Never fear, the treatment options to treat plagiocephaly have never been easier or more within reach. More and more parents are opting for In Home Therapy to create a more comfortable atmosphere for baby.

What Kinds of Services are Offered Through In-Home Therapy?

Your doctor may have suggested that you work with an occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist (PT) to help strengthen and condition baby’s immature muscle systems. By peeking into your world, your therapist can see where and how you live so they can work with you to create a plan to keep baby off of their back as much as possible. There are a number of OT services that now include home-based services in order to make therapy more comfortable for baby and parents. There are also state-run In Home Therapy programs that work exclusively in the home, such as Early Intervention programs.

Creating a More Comfortable Environment

One of the biggest strengths to In Home Therapy is that baby is most comfortable at home. When you take baby to a doctor’s appointment or somewhere new they might act a little different than when they are in a familiar setting. By introducing OT or PT at home, you can avoid this potentially stressful part of therapy. Both parents and baby will perform better when they are comfortable.

Work With Families to Understand Their Environmental Pitfalls

Another major benefit to having therapy in a home setting is that your therapist can create a customized plan that revolves around your family. If your family likes to gather around the TV after dinner, the therapist can create a plan that accommodates the entire family. Perhaps baby is a fourth child and mom and dad are constantly on the go; the therapist can look for time periods where tummy time and exercises can best fit into your busy schedule.

Closely Monitor Progress

An additional benefit of home therapy is the ability of the therapist to be closely monitoring baby on a weekly basis. You will probably visit your doctor on a monthly or even bi-monthly basis. If your baby’s plagiocephaly does not require a helmet, your therapist can help to make sure it stays that way. Most in-home therapy occurs once or twice weekly, so the therapist can take careful measurements on a very regular basis. This also offers an important safety net. If the therapist is not seeing adequate progress, they might suggest you schedule an appointment to see your pediatrician.

By working with a therapist in your home you can help ensure that baby makes the best progress possible. Staying out of clinic or specialist office will help baby grow and thrive in her own home.

Sources:

Early Intervention Offices by State 

5 Activities to Enhance Babies Growth and Development From 3-6 Months

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Infant-development-Activities-for-babies-3-6-monthsInfant Development between the age of 3 and 6 months means baby is growing and developing at a very fast rate. During this small window you will see your little person go from a blank slate to a big bold personality. This fun-filled, action-packed time in baby’s life can be exhausting for parents but by filling their day with activities that engage them, you will find that an engaged baby is a happy baby.

Wake Up All of The Senses

Between the ages of 3 and 6 months baby is developing in a number of ways. In addition to physical growth, babies sensory systems are also growing at a tremendous rate. Their sense of sight, smell, hearing, touch and taste become much more mature during these few months. By giving each of their senses a whirl they will begin to more fully develop their sensory system. So when you choose toys, games and activities, head towards those that engage more than just one sense at a time. This can be as simple as playing music while baby eats or offering a colorful toy that is also textured or plays music.

Let Baby Loose

While offering baby plenty of ways to engage with developmentally appropriate toys and gadgets, don’t forget that babies love to wiggle and squirm freely. Throw a blanket on the floor (or not) and let baby loose. Lie on the floor and watch as she rolls, twirls and giggles. Having that freedom of movement is an excellent way for baby to explore her environment and start moving on her own.

Home Baby Gym

Another great way to entice baby’s growth is by setting up a baby gym. There are a number of great gyms on the market that require baby to reach, grab and pull their way to fun. This helps their gross and fine motor skills and encourages excellent muscle development. Gyms that encourage baby to use both their hands and their feet are best.

Encourage Baby to Sit

Most babies begin to sit on their own between 4 and 7 months. By encouraging baby to spend more of their time sitting, they will be working different muscle systems while also spending less time on their back (which can lead to flat head syndrome). You can use one of the many supportive pillows or C-shaped cushions on the market to offer baby more support when sitting. This allows baby to practice making minor muscle adjustments, which activates muscles in the trunk. The pillow helps baby make these movements without falling.

Get Outside

One of the best activities you can do with your baby is to get outside. Take a walk, go for a trip in the car or spend some time out in the yard. The outdoors is a great way for baby to use a host of his senses while also offering a change of scenery. It has also been proven that fresh air and sunlight can do wonders for a baby who is having trouble sleeping.

These are just five of the many ways you can keep baby busy. By offering activities that stimulate baby’s mind and body you can help them safely develop and grow.

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