Best Way to Correct a Flat Spot on My Babies Head
Fixing a Flat (baby head): What is Plagiocephaly and what can I practice to correct it?
Written on February 7, 2020
What is Plagiocephaly (pronounced play-jee-oh-sef-uh-lee)?
Sometimes infants are born with or develop plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, a flat spot on the back or backside of their heads that is noticeable and may enhance questions or be a cause of concern.
Understandably, you may enquire:
- Will my baby's head shape stay like this?
- Is at that place annihilation I can do to prevent or set up this?
- Will this affect my baby's brain growth or evolution?
In the early 90's the American University of Pediatrics advised parents to put babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the adventure of SIDS. This increased the fourth dimension spent with increased pressure level on the baby's caput from the surfaces they rested on. This also increased the incidence of plagiocephaly (a.thousand.a. "flat caput syndrome"). In addition, there are dozens of baby positioning "containers" such as infant motorcar seats, swings, and bouncy chairs that continue babies resting for longer periods on the back of their heads. Flat spots can make information technology challenging for babies to keep their heads in midline and they can develop a preference to turn or face toward a particular side. These babies may be resistant to or even refuse tum fourth dimension considering lifting their little heads up confronting gravity can seem difficult and stressful. Although this will not typically cause problems with brain development, babies that take a flat spot may experience move preferences to one side, may not latch on for nursing likewise as expected, will experience reflux or digestive issues, and may be extra fussy, colicky or more than difficult to calm.
How can I tell if my infant has a apartment spot?
No two babies take the aforementioned head shape simply asymmetries or flat spots are usually easy to observe if y'all know what to look for. Near areas will round or even out as a baby moves her head side to side, up and down, and begins to ringlet over in the first few months. Take a look at the baby's caput in several positions. If Infant has a lot of pilus it is good to do this while the pilus is wet, such every bit subsequently a bathroom.
- Expect at your baby "confront to confront." Are both eyes the aforementioned size or is one wider or narrower than the other? Is 1 cheek puffier than the other? Does the dorsum of his head appear unusually wide or does the head slant sharply upward from his brow to the dorsum of the head? Do y'all notice that one ear is higher or in front end of the ear on the other side?
- Wait at the baby's head shape from backside while supporting him in sitting. This is often the first identify a flat spot is detected. Are the ears level? Does the head tilt to one side? Is the summit of the head very wide compared to the area simply above the neck?
- Now, look at the babe's caput from the top. Is one side of the forehead more forward than the other? Tin can y'all see 1 cheek puffing out more than than the other? Is i ear significantly positioned in front of the other?
- Finally, look at the baby's head from the side. Is there a slope from the brow that rises to a point in the back?
Notice if your baby's head is moving freely with his body or is the head "planted" on the surface? Is he beginning to elevator his shoulders and arms off of the surface and is the baby beginning to bring hands or toys to his mouth? Does the baby constantly but put one hand in his mouth or does he turn his head to mouth a toy instead of bringing the toy toward his middle. When Baby is on his belly, tin can he lift his head easily up in the centre or does he usually plough it fully to one side or the other to elevator it up. These are all signs that there may indicate a musculus imbalance or be present as a result of the flat spot on a baby's head. While none of these seem particularly alarming, they can proceed your baby from developing movement and visual motor patterns that will advance him more naturally toward rolling, crawling, walking and gross motor play.
What Can I do if I notice a flat spot?
- Provide lots of opportunities for Tummy time.
- Limit time in baby carriers, car seats, bouncers, swings, and containers
- Bear babe when you can but change positions oftentimes to go on hips healthy
- Alternate the ends of the crib for sleeping so baby will confront stimulating sights or light during waking times
- Provide visual stimulation in forepart of the baby that moves side to side
- Consult your pediatrician or a pediatric concrete therapist if a flat spot persists for more than a few weeks. A babe's caput shape can change quickly from nascence to 6 months.
What if the apartment spot won't get away?
If your baby's head is held unusually still, he has a distinct head-side or position preference, he is having difficulty nursing, bottle feeding is stressful, or he is resisting positions like tum fourth dimension contact your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist who specializes in treating infants. It is best not to take a "wait and meet" approach considering most of a baby'southward caput growth happens between birth and 6-viii months and this is the best time to make big changes in head shape and mobility. Most consultations are free and professionals tin can offering advice and solutions that can assist yous and your baby.
BDI Playhouse Children's Therapy offers free screenings and consultations through Telehealth or at one of our child-friendly therapy gyms in Orland Park and Aurora, IL
Written past Sheri Ireland-Berk, PT
Physical Therapist
Best Way to Correct a Flat Spot on My Babies Head
Source: https://bdiplayhouse.com/fixing-a-flat-baby-head-what-is-plagiocephaly-and-what-can-i-do-to-correct-it/