Flat Head: How to Prevent It in Newborns
It is really alarming to think that about 1 in 2 newborns develop flat head in the first months of life. However, the most worrying cause is knowing that this problem could be prevented really simply.
In this article I will explain the reasons why flat head is formed; therefore, how to avoid its appearance.
What is flat head in newborns?
Flat head is a problem that affects 48% of newborns within the first 4 months of life. The term flat head is commonly used to define positional cranial deformations . These are 3:
- Plagiocephaly : posterolateral flattening of the head;
- Brachycephaly : flattening of the head at the back;
- Dolichocephaly : lateral flattening of the head.
So, the term cranial deformation indicates that the shape of the newborn's head is worse than its normal shape.
Instead, the term positional denotes that the change is due to incorrect postural attitudes.
How to create
What are the bad postures that lead to the development of flat head?
They can be of 2 types:
- Attitudes put into action unintentionally by parents ;
- Attitudes put into practice by the newborn .
The first case includes the prolonged use of devices such as the bouncer, baby seat or enveloping pillows. While the second case occurs when the child suffers from muscle contractures in the back or neck such as myogenic torticollis .
The common factor is the limited movement of the child's neck which leads him to maintain the same position for a long time.
Since the newborn's head is very malleable and grows quickly in the first few months, a prolonged and constant position on the same side leads to pressure on that point and to a change in the shape of the skull.
How to prevent flat head
Having identified the reasons why flat head forms, it will be possible to prevent its appearance by avoiding all incorrect attitudes .
If the newborn has contractures, the intervention of a Pediatric Osteopath will be necessary to resolve the problem.
As for the postural attitudes put in place by parents, it will be sufficient to allow them to know what they are in detail in order to be able to avoid them.
Aware of the lack of information and support regarding postural cranial deformations, I decided to collect all the information to prevent flat head both in a book and in a video course.
Today I'm going to tell you about one of the best activities to prevent flat head that you'll find in the course/book: Tummy Time .
Benefits of Tummy Time
Tummy Time is the time when the baby stays on his tummy to play. Since the head does not remain in contact with any device, optimal growth of the head is guaranteed.
But that's not all: Tummy Time also allows for early motor development.
In fact, by proposing this activity from the first weeks of the newborn's life, parents can encourage the best motor development for their little one.
This first game helps the little one develop the muscles and coordination necessary to reach all motor milestones, including crawling .
Does the plagiocephaly pillow help prevent it?
During tummy time the baby does not support his head, but while he is supine is it better to use the plagiocephaly pillow to prevent flat head ?
Absolutely not!
The plagiocephaly pillow not only does not prevent flat head, but can also cause it. In fact, it limits the movement of the newborn's neck, causing him to assume the same posture for a prolonged period.
Furthermore, if the baby suffers from myogenic torticollis, the use of this device will be of no use.
Before you waste your money on purchasing it, I recommend you watch the video below or read my full article .
8 Rules to Prevent Flat Head in Newborns
As anticipated in the previous paragraphs, I decided to report all the information to prevent flat head both in the book “ 8 Rules to Prevent Flat Head in Newborns ” and in my video course.
Inside you will find all the correct postural recommendations, explanations for identifying the presence of a cranial deformation and activities to prevent them, how to notice the presence of torticollis in the newborn and how to promote early motor and postural development.
My advice is to read the book or watch the video course already during pregnancy so as to immediately avoid all the attitudes that could cause flat head.
If flat head has already formed, it is necessary to promptly request the intervention of an Osteopath in order to resolve the problem in the shortest possible time and in the best possible way.
You can find my contact details here .