Does your baby have flattened head? Are you scared about what it means? Give this article a read and dispense with your worries. Make sure your child is alright by checking off the symptoms listed and possible treatments are noted as well.
What is a flat head syndrome?
In the 1990’s expectant parents were told to lie their child on their backs when putting them to sleep because of medical purposes. Although this reduced the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), it greatly increased the risk of the baby developing a flat head. This development of a Flat Head is known as Flat Head Syndrome or cranial asymmetry or positional plagiocephaly.
You don’t have to worry as long as the flat head of the baby is only due to lying on their back but if the flat head is due to a medical reason and is not returning to its original shape then that is a cause for concern and you should immediately take your baby to the doctor.
What is the risk?
Flat head syndrome can occur even before birth if there’s pressure on the baby’s head inside the mother’s womb. Flat head syndrome can be caused by tight neck muscles that make it hard for babies to turn their heads.
Symptoms
• The back of the child’s head will appear flattened as if a pancake.
• The head’s shape will be flattened on one side and normal on the other.
• Complete absence or a lesser amount of hair on the flattened area.
• Forehead, neck, jaw, and face may appear uneven.
Treatment
Once you have identified the symptoms/signs of Flat Head Syndrome, the following are the possible proven treatments that are recommended by doctors and healers alike.
• Alternate Baby’s Head Position: Reposition the baby’s head in regular intervals such that the rounded part of the baby’s head is pressed to the mattress and not the flattened part.
• Change The Child’s Position In The Crib Regularly: Change the side on which you lay your infant in the crib. If the head is flattened on the left, lay your infant on the right and vice versa.
• Tummy Time: Tummy time helps build muscle dexterity and also reduces pressure on the infant’s head.
• Hold the Child In Your Arms Often: The more the baby is in your arms, the less the child is laying on a flat surface and this will decrease the amount of pressure being built on the flattened area.