Get a Head Start on Plagiocephaly
This is my daughter when she was 5 months old. She had plagiocephaly aka flat head. I actually don’t have many pictures that show the flat spot on her head because I felt so guilty and ashamed that I had let this happen to her, that I avoided taking pictures from certain angles. I want to share with you what I wish we would have known from the start.
What is plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly, more commonly called flat head, is a condition characterized by the flattening of a baby's skull. It can range from mild to very severe and can affect not just the shape of the head, but also the placement of the ears and eyes. Babies’ skulls are soft and malleable at birth in order to allow for easier passage through the birth canal. A newborn’s soft skull means that the back or sides of the skull can flatten if a baby regularly lies on the same spot.
Prevalence:
It has become increasingly prevalent, with 46% of newborns being affected. This number has gone up 300% since the implementation of the "Back to Sleep" campaign in 1992, aimed at reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The safety of your infant takes precedence and you should ALWAYS place them on their back to sleep, but it is important to be knowledgeable and aware of plagiocephaly.
Risk Factors:
Premature babies: softer skulls, hospitalization, and medical issues associated with prematurity can exacerbate this risk.
Intrauterine constraint: limited space in the uterus, especially if the baby favors a particular position in the womb.
Males: the reasons behind this the higher risk to males is not entirely clear, awareness of the increased risk can prompt parents to be more vigilant.
First born babies
Prevention:
Tummy Time: incorporate short increments of tummy time 5-6 times a day. If your baby doesn’t like tummy time, get creative in how to get your baby on their tummy, and do tummy time MORE often but for LESS amount of time.
Some examples of creative tummy time include: on a parent’s chest, on a medicine ball, in a parent’s arms flying around the house, with interesting items in front of them, etc.
Change baby's position during sleep: alternate the direction in which you lay your baby in their bassinet/crib.
Change baby’s position during feeding: nursing moms naturally switch sides, but if bottle feeding be sure to also switch the side you feed baby on.
Limit the use of devices that restrict movement. Such as baby swings, bouncers, car seats, dock a tot’s, etc.
Be OBSERVANT: does your baby favour one side? Torticollis (neck tightness) is a major factor in the development of plagiocephaly. If you see any signs of this, talk to your baby’s doctor or pediatric therapist as soon as possible.
This is 3 month old Riley at physical therapy to help with her torticollis and correcting her head shape.
Every moment counts:
Don’t “wait and see”, hoping that it will correct itself. If your baby is under 5 months old you can have great success through simply modifying your child’s day-to-day activities. The younger the baby, the quicker you will see results. Once a baby is over 5 months a helmet is typically needed to correct plagiocephaly, and by 18-24 months the head shape is set for life.
Take away message:
By being aware and taking proactive steps, you, the parent, plays the most crucial role in preventing and addressing plagiocephaly in your baby. By actively monitoring your newborn’s head shape from day 1, you will be able to modify day-to-day activities or seek help from a professional at the first sign of mishappening. Quicker action on your part means quicker results and avoiding a potentially huge issue further down the line.
I hope you feel empowered to navigate this aspect of your baby's development with confidence and care, but always reach out to your health care professional should you need further guidance. You’ve already taken a big first step in prioritizing your child’s health just by reading this!
