Plagiocephaly Treatment in New Jersey
The newborn human skull is made up of separate plates of bone that normally grow and “come together”. Before birth, bones in the head are very thin with a bendable nature until they become thicker and harder. When babies are born, their skulls are still soft and flexible, which allow them to pass through the birth canal during delivery. However, this also means that babies’ skulls can easily become misshapen if they experience any pressure on their heads, before or after birth.
One condition that can cause babies to have a misshapen head is plagiocephaly, which occurs when babies have pressure on one side of their head. This can happen due to positioning in the womb, during delivery, or lying on their backs for extended periods after birth. The flattening can become more pronounced as babies grow and spend more time lying on their backs.
While plagiocephaly in kids can occur on its own, it often occurs in conjunction with another condition called brachycephaly. This is when babies have pressure on both sides of their heads, causing the back of their heads to become flat. Babies with brachycephaly often also have a forehead that appears to bulge out.
Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly are both types of deformational or positional plagiocephaly, which means they are caused by external forces acting on the head. Deformational or positional plagiocephaly is different from skull changes or abnormalities caused by craniosynostosis. In craniosynostosis, the bones of the skull get stuck together and become “fused”.
Plagiocephaly: How to Get Rid of My Baby’s Flat Head
When your baby is born, its head may be slightly flat on the back or sides. This is due to their skull being soft and moldable at birth. Plagiocephaly (flat-head baby syndrome) can occur when babies sleep in the same position for prolonged periods, putting pressure on certain areas of their skull. Babies who spend a lot of time lying on their backs are at higher risk of developing plagiocephaly.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s head flat on top or infant flat head, come to NJ Craniofacial Center and our team of Plagiocephaly treatment experts can help you. We offer a variety of infant flat head treatments and can create a custom treatment plan for your baby.
Can You Fix Flat Head Baby Without a Helmet?
There is no assurance that you can repair a flat head baby without a helmet, but it is possible. Babies with brachhycephaly (when teh head is flat across the back of the head) and babies with asymmetric plagiocephaly, may respond to repositioning, physical therapy or cranial molding. Before attempting any sort of home therapy for plagiocephaly in infants, it’s always advisable to seek expert guidance.
Different Types of Babies Flat Head Syndromes
There are two types of plagiocephaly, positional and congenital.
Positional plagiocephaly is the most common type and occurs when babies spend extended periods lying in the same position. This can cause to become baby’s head getting flat on one side.
Congenital plagiocephaly is less common and is caused by congenital abnormalities that prevent babies’ skulls from growing properly. Congenital plagiocephaly can cause their heads to be flat on both sides or misshapen. This may be caused by craniosynostosis, when the bones actually get stuck, or fused, together.
Does a Flat Head on Baby Fix Themselves?
An infant flat head (also referred to as plagiocephaly) can occur when babies have extended periods of time on their backs. To help correct this, an infant helmet or baby helmet for flat head may be recommended. These helmets are custom-fitted for the infant’s head and use gentle pressure to encourage the rapid growth of the infant’s skull bones. Wearing a flat head helmet for several hours each day can help correct the flat head deformity and prevent it from worsening.
It is important to note that infant flat head does not usually fix itself without intervention. Therefore, consulting with your pediatrician about treatment options as quickly as possible is highly recommended.
Christian was a patient of ours that was treated for torticollis and plagiocephaly. Below are pictures from the day Christian got his helmet (flat head helmet) and one after completing plagiocephaly treatment at NJ Craniofacial Center.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What Causes Plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly is a condition that results in an asymmetrical head shape. The most common type of plagiocephaly is called positional plagiocephaly, which occurs when a baby’s head spends too much time in one position.
Some external factors that can contribute to positional plagiocephaly include: torticollis (a condition in which the neck muscles are tight and cause the baby to tilt their head to one side), premature birth, low birth weight, and multiple births. Plagiocephaly can also be caused by problems with the baby’s brain or skull.
2. What Is Plagiocephaly in Babies?
Plagiocephaly is a condition that causes a baby’s head to misshapen. It can be caused by the baby being in the same position for a long time (for example, if the baby always sleeps on his or her back), or by problems with the baby’s brain and skull development.
Most babies who have plagiocephaly will not need any treatment. In some cases, however, a baby may need to wear a helmet to help correct the shape of his or her head.
3. Does Plagiocephaly Correct Itself?
It can, but it depends on the severity. If it’s mild, it may correct itself over time. If it’s more severe, a cranial moulding helmet is usually recommended. Surgery is only an option if the bones are fused together.
4. How to Fix Plagiocephaly Without a Helmet
There are a few different ways to fix plagiocephaly without a helmet. For babies and infants, physical therapy and repositioning exercises can help improve the shape of the head. In some cases, a custom-made helmet may be needed to correct the shape of the head.
5. How to Fix Positional Plagiocephaly?
There are a few different ways to fix positional plagiocephaly. For babies and infants, physical therapy, helmet therapy, and repositioning exercises may be recommended.
