For some babies, treatment may include changing or alternating their sleep positions by turning his or her head to the opposite side, allowing even distribution of baby’s head weight. The objective is to prevent or treat flat spots and is often effective in the first 3 to 4 months after birth, when applied for more than 50% of their awake time.
So when do you apply repositioning?
While baby is asleep (on his back), diligently reposition your baby’s head such that the rounded side of his head is placed on the mattress instead of the already flattened side.
When baby is awake, more tummy time will take pressure off baby’s head. These activities should be under close supervision for baby’s safety.
When feeding, alternate the arm used when holding your baby to avoid adding pressure to the flattened side of head.
Cranial remolding helmets have been used to treat flat head syndrome since the late 1980s. How effective is this therapy?
Prescribed for infants to correct their head shape with the aid of a cranial orthosis (usually made of an outer hard shell with a foam lining), it works by leaving gaps where flat spots are, allowing skull growth instead of flattening
Constant, gentle pressure helps to redirect head growth and adjustments are made as the treatment progresses.
If repositioning methods have not given sufficient improvement, you may consider this treatment.
Treatment is most effective in babies between 4 to 8 months old and the average helmet therapy is usually over a period of 3 to 6 months (depending on the baby’s age and the severity of the condition).
Babies between 8 to 12 months old can be treated but may require a longer period of time and therapy will not be effective once skull growth is complete.
We first need to assess and check your child carefully to determine his or her condition’s severity.
If you notice that your baby has a disproportionate head shape four months after birth, it may be best to have him or her assessed for possible flat head syndrome.
