Flat Head Syndrome: What mother and father must learn about stopping it

After infants cross by means of the start canal, it is pure for his or her heads to look pointy or lengthy in the course of the first days of life. It will take time for components of their cranium to maneuver, fuse collectively, and settle right into a form, whereas sustaining its softness to accommodate your child’s rising mind. But if a child’s head seems to be misshapen for weeks after start, then this can be an indication that they’ve developed flat head syndrome, or what’s also referred to as plagiocephaly.

Plagiocephaly often manifests as flat spots on any a part of the top, which could be the results of extended strain after mendacity down in a sure place for too lengthy. It is also attributed to neck muscle issues. Even earlier than they’re born, infants can develop this syndrome, if their skulls are subjected to an excessive amount of strain from their mom’s pelvis or if they’re born with a twin.

Premature infants, whose skulls are softer than infants born full time period, are extra liable to growing flattened heads. Another purpose is that they might spend an excessive amount of time mendacity down, having to spend months in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) or nursery.

But fear not, this situation does not hurt or hinder your child’s rising mind! It does nevertheless, threaten the looks of your child’s head, which might have destructive socioemotional results in a while in life.

How can mother and father forestall flat head syndrome in newborns?

Baby with no flat head syndrome (left) child with flat head syndrome (proper) (picture: pinterest)

The excellent news is that flat head syndrome does not require surgical procedure. Minor flat spots can resolve on their very own, however make sure that to seek the advice of your physician relating to the severity of your child’s case.

Here’s how it may be prevented and handled.

Change your child’s head place when asleep

Remember to put your child on her again whereas sleeping and to bear in mind sleep security pointers! To keep away from flat head syndrome, make sure that to reposition your child’s head back and forth as they sleep. Remember to maintain the spherical a part of their head touching the mattress. Avoid utilizing pillows to maintain you child in a sure place, as this will likely improve the danger of choking or aspiration.

Alternate the place you place them down within the crib

If you are proper handed, then you definitely often carry your child with the left after which lay them down of their crib utilizing your proper hand. Once you allow them of their crib, infants have a tendency to show to look to the opposite facet, inflicting extra strain on a selected facet. So be sure you do not lay them down in the identical route each time you allow them to sleep.

Carry your child extra usually

Holding your child extra lessens the time they must spend on their backs or urgent their heads onto a flat floor, like strollers, or automotive seats. Carrying them usually lessens strain on their heads, plus: it additionally will increase bonding between you two!

Increase “tummy time”

Having guided tummy time whereas your child is awake will help forestall flattened heads. It additionally helps enhance neck muscle power and encourages your child to start exploring easy methods to use the higher physique muscle tissue wanted for crawling or sitting.

Adjust your feeding place

For breastfeeding mothers, it might assist to feed utilizing the soccer maintain to cut back strain on the facet of the top that is often pressed in opposition to a flat floor in different feeding positions. If your child is bottle fed, apply switching arms used to carry them to minimize strain.

Visit a physiotherapist to diagnose muscle issues

As beforehand acknowledged, flat head syndrome could be traced to poor neck muscle power. To know for certain and to handle different points and issues you may have, it is best to go to a specialist!

We hope the following tips assist. Let us know what you considered this text within the feedback under!

sources: Kid’s Health, The Bub Hub, Orthopaedia.com, American Occupational Therapy Association

READ: Not sufficient tummy time might hinder your little one’s bodily growth