47% of infants 7-12 weeks of age showed signs of flat head in a study by American Academy of Pediatrics.
Flat Head Syndrome is the flattening of one or both sides of the head due to constant pressure on the skull, typically from lying on a firm surface for long periods of time.
The Safe to Sleep Guidelines recommend that infants are placed on their back to sleep until they are one year old.
This has proven to reduce the risk of SIDS, but has increased the rate of Flat Head Syndrome.
Since Flat Head Syndrome can be treated, it is far more important to place your baby on their back to sleep, and then use these tips to prevent flat head from developing.
What causes Flat Head Syndrome?
The most common type of flat head is where an infant is born with a natural round head, but then develops flat head due to positioning during the first 12 weeks at home. This is called positional Plagiocephaly or Brachycephaly.
Flat head can develop quickly, especially during the first 12 weeks of life when your baby’s skull is still malleable and their head and brain are growing very quickly. During this time, babies spend up to 17 hours on their backs in cribs, strollers, car seats, and bouncy seats.
If baby’s head is lying against a firm flat surface and stays in the same position for long periods of time, then parts of his or her skull may become flattened. Premature babies are more prone to positional plagiocephaly since their skull is softer than a full term baby, and they spend most of the time on their backs without being moved or picked up due to their medical needs and extreme fragility after birth.
Sometimes a mild case of plagiocephaly is diagnosed at birth when babies have restricted movement in the womb. This is more common with twins and multiple births, with babies who were in the breech position or back-to-back, or with babies born after a prolonged labor.
How can I prevent flat head?
Place your newborn in a variety of different positions throughout the day. Alternate between sleeping on their back (in a crib or bassinet) and on their tummy (baby lying on your chest). Get more tips here.
Use a head shaping pillow with a contoured shape to support baby’s head and neck. Use the pillow everywhere that baby goes, the crib, stroller, car seat, swing and play mat.
What if my baby develops flat head?
If your baby is developing flat head, consult your doctor who will provide options for treatment. In severe cases, some babies wear a special helmet during the day. These helmets are used to treat deformational plagiocephaly and brachycephaly in infants 3–18 months of age by gently allowing the head to grow back into a normal shape. Helmet therapy can can last from two to six months.
What happens if you don’t treat flat head syndrome?
Again, it’s best to see your doctor right away rather than wait for “nature to take its course”. If left untreated, flat head could cause developmental issues such as muscle tightness, developmental movement pattern delays, low muscle tone or visual problems. Long term difficulties of vision, ear infections and jaw problems are also associated with cranial deformities. As your child gets older, bullying can become a worry.
Opinions on the long term effects of flat head vary widely. Preliminary research indicates that some babies with plagiocephaly comprise a high-risk group for
developmental difficulties. Other research suggests that while developmental delay is more commonplace among babies with plagiocephaly, it cannot be inferred that plagiocephaly is the cause of the delay. Most moms agree it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid Flat Head Syndrome in the first place, and to get treatment as soon as symptoms appear.