As a new parent, concerns about flat head syndrome may be challenging to put aside. With babies spending a lot of time sleeping on their backs, experts suspect that this position could cause their heads to flatten. But if you didn’t act on your gut feeling at the time, you may be wondering when it’s too late to fix a flat head in infants.
However, it’s important to note that infants with flat or pointed heads may look unusual, but their heads usually return to their normal shape as they grow older. In this article, we’ll talk about when is it too late to fix flat head.
What Is A Flat Head?
Flat head syndrome or plagiocephaly is a medical condition that refers to the development of a flat area on the back or side of a baby’s head. This can make the infant’s head appear lopsided. In some cases, when viewed from above, the skull may appear to be shaped like a parallelogram.
After birth, it takes several months for a baby’s skull bones to properly fuse and solidify. A baby’s skull is made up of soft, elastic bones. This allows plenty of room for the brain to expand and facilitate passage through the birth canal. The skull is a series of moving game pieces that enable the head to grow beneath the soft surface.
While these adaptable plates protect the developing brain, laying a child on their back can cause flattening. Some babies may also be born with misshapen heads due to their position in the womb. It can also be due to a difficult trip through the birth canal.
Causes Of A Flat Head
The condition known as “flat head syndrome” occurs when a newborn is lying on their back with their head resting on a flat, hard surface.
The baby’s skull has a delicate structure. Because the bones are still developing and soft, they are susceptible to changing shape if you’re not attentive.
Types Of Flat Head Syndrome
1. Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly is one of the most well-known variants of flat head syndrome. Many parents first notice their baby’s asymmetrical head shape when the infant is about eight weeks old. This is a defining feature of this disorder.
Plagiocephaly is typically recognized by a flattening of the side of the skull behind the ear while gazing down on a baby’s head. You might also see that the cheek and brow on the side are protruding.
Simply put, when viewed from above, the head appears to be a parallelogram with the ears misaligned. the forehead and face are also occasionally bulging slightly on the flat side, and the head is flattened on one side.
2. Brachycephaly
Brachycephaly, a different form of flat head syndrome, manifests as a wide head shape and a flattening across the back of the skull.
Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly differ primarily in that brachycephaly is characterized by a wider head shape rather than any asymmetry, as is the case with plagiocephaly.
Basically, in brachycephaly, the back of the head becomes flattened, causing the head to widen. Occasionally the forehead bulges out.
When Is It Too Late To Fix Flat Head
Flathead syndrome, also known as plagiocephaly, can develop in babies in the first few months after birth. Due to their delicate bones, the shape of the baby’s skull can change based on how they are positioned on a surface. Flat head syndrome often occurs when a baby is lying on their back with their head flat against a surface. During the first few months, babies can only lie on their backs. This is because their bones and muscles are still too weak to allow them to crawl or walk.
However, having a flat head should not be considered a defect, and it is not a significant physical problem. The ideal time to correct a flat head is between the ages of 3 and 9 months. This is because the bones are still pliable. The baby’s head will return to normal with regular and appropriate activity.
It is advisable to consult your pediatrician if you suspect your child may have flat head syndrome. Your pediatrician can rule out craniosynostosis. This is a rare genetic disorder that causes an early fusion of the plates on a baby’s skull.
Other Causes Of Flat Head
Here’s my suggested edit:
There are several other common causes of a misshapen head in babies, including:
- Intrauterine constraint: If the baby is positioned in the womb in a way that puts pressure on their head. This can cause a misshapen skull. This can occur if the fetus is cramped in the womb or if there isn’t enough amniotic fluid to cushion it.
- Hereditary conditions: Sometimes, a misshapen head may be the result of a genetic condition.
- Multiple births: If the baby doesn’t have enough space in the womb, or if there are twins, their heads may be forced together, leading to a misshapen skull.
- Muscular Torticollis: This condition occurs when infants have tight or unbalanced neck muscles, often due to a narrow uterus or being in the breech position during pregnancy.
- Sleeping position: It’s essential to ensure that your baby sleeps on their back with their head in a neutral position. Sleeping on the side or stomach can increase the risk of flat head syndrome.
- Preterm birth: Premature babies have softer bones compared to those born at term and are more likely to spend extended periods lying on their backs during hospital admissions.
- Instrumental delivery: The use of vacuum delivery or forceps during childbirth can put a strain on the baby’s elastic skull bones, resulting in a misshapen head.
If you notice that your baby’s head shape is abnormal or seems to be changing, it’s important to consult your pediatrician. They can assess your baby’s condition and suggest appropriate treatment options.
What Can You Do?
As your child’s skull matures and they begin to move their heads, roll over, and crawl, their head shape should eventually improve on its own. You have a lot of options for treating your child’s flat head. These are all easy procedures that can be done at home.
Flathead syndrome can be effectively managed with the right information and better awareness.
1. Allow your infant to spend time on their stomach throughout the day.
During playtime, encourage them to try new positions. Make sure they always sleep on their back since this is the safest position for them.
Place the baby on its stomach rather than on its back. Put your baby on the mattress for comfort, or use a blanket if you’re lying on the ground.
2. Carry and move with your baby
By carrying and moving about with your baby, you can avoid putting your baby in a backward position. Babies enjoy being carried.
3. Stimulate your baby
Stimulate your infant by talking, singing, shaking a rattle, or placing toys nearby on the side they dislike the most. Your baby’s head will be compelled to turn to that side as a result. They are fantastic for taking care of your kid, particularly if you are busy. They help the baby grow and develop. Reposition the toys so that they won’t spend time looking in one direction. Work on the child’s head movement; and spend less time on baby accessories.
4. Change up the crib’s positions
Think about how you place your child in the crib. The majority of right-handed parents carry their infants in their left arms and place them on their left when they lay them down. The infant must turn to the right to see outside the room from this stance. Place your infant in the crib such that they can actively turn their heads in a non-flattened direction.
5. While the infant is sleeping, adjust the head position
When your baby is napping on the back, move the position of his or her head (from left to right, right to left). Place your child so that their flattened side is facing up and their rounded side is touching the mattress, even if they shift about throughout the night. Avoid using wedge pillows or other props to maintain your baby’s position.
The seriousness of your child’s condition and the flat head’s suspected cause will determine the method of treatment.
Other ways flat heads can be corrected outside the home;
1. Exercises
Your doctor may advise stretching exercises to widen your baby’s neck range of motion if they have muscular torticollis. Never perform neck stretches without your doctor’s permission and instructions.
2. Therapy using a helmet mold
Wearing a specially made band or helmet during molding helmet therapy will help gently reshape the baby’s head into a symmetrical shape. The device is worn continuously (up to 23 hours per day) for several months beginning when the child’s skull is still young, typically at around 5 or 6 months old.
These tools exert pressure on the “bulging” parts of the skull while relieving strain on other regions, possibly allowing the flatter regions of the skull to expand. Although the new technology for treating flat head syndrome in infants is successful, parents find it challenging to make this decision.
Making their child have the helmet treatment has been a difficult choice for some parents.
The baby may need to wear it for days, weeks, or even months, depending on how severe the defect is.
Thankfully, the infant doesn’t feel any discomfort or suffering.
However, parents report a variety of negative side effects from the corrective helmet, including skin irritability and excessive sweating.
Will My Baby Need Surgery?
The neck muscles in your baby’s neck may become more flexible and strong with physiotherapy if they are having trouble turning their heads.
They can require corrective surgery if they have craniosynostosis.
Will Flat Head Go Away?
One of the primary concerns for parents is how long it takes for their child’s flat head condition to improve and when it’s too late to fix it. However, parents should not panic or worry excessively if their baby has a flat head, as it is a common occurrence in newborns.
Flathead syndrome may develop due to difficulties during delivery or positioning in the womb. It typically takes a few weeks or months to improve, and in most cases, the flattening decreases as the baby grows and becomes more mobile.
By the time the baby’s skull bones are fully formed, around age two, the flatness is usually hardly noticeable, even in severe cases. Although some flattening may persist, it is generally not a cause for concern.
In rare cases, if parents are worried, they may consider using a helmet or headband, but these options can be costly and uncomfortable for the child.
Overall, while flat head syndrome may be a cause for concern for some parents, it is typically harmless and resolves itself over time. Therefore, parents should focus on enjoying the precious moments with their baby, as this stage passes quickly.
What Happens If I Don’t Treat Flat Head
While the shape of a baby’s head may improve as they grow and become more mobile, it is important to note that complete recovery may not be possible by the age of one or two. Even so, any flattening that remains will likely be barely noticeable. However, it is worth noting that for many children and adults, a less-than-ideal head shape cannot be easily hidden by hair growth, especially if their hair is fine or short.
Recent years have seen an increase in research on flat head syndrome, with a focus on its long-term effects. As infants grow older and treatment becomes less effective, the physical, developmental, and psychological impacts of the condition can become more apparent. It is therefore essential to monitor your child’s head shape and seek medical advice if you have concerns about their development. While flat head syndrome is often not a cause for significant concern, it is always better to err on the side of caution and seek appropriate medical care when needed.
1. Practical difficulties
Flat head syndrome doesn’t just affect babies, but adults as well. Adults with plagiocephaly may encounter practical difficulties in both sports and daily life. People with moderate to severe flat head syndrome may have difficulty wearing helmets and headgear designed to fit people with “normal” head shapes. This can be problematic when engaging in activities such as cycling and rock climbing, where protective headgear is essential.
Additionally, adults with severe flat head syndrome may experience difficulty when wearing glasses daily due to severely misaligned ears. This is because flat head syndrome can also cause an asymmetrical appearance of the ears, making it difficult to find glasses that fit comfortably.
While the physical effects of flat head syndrome in adults are mostly practical, they can still have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and ability to engage in certain activities.
2. Psychological difficulties
Flathead syndrome in both children and adults can have significant psychological consequences in the long run. People may experience emotional and psychological problems throughout their school and adult life due to having an abnormally shaped head.
Low self-esteem and lack of confidence in one’s appearance can significantly affect a person’s capacity for social interaction. However, as people grow older, their flat head condition tends to improve. As babies become more mobile, they tend to move around while sleeping, which means that their heads are not always in the same position.
It’s essential to treat flat head syndrome during the first few months when the bones are still soft and the head can recover to its original shape. Although flat head syndrome does not affect a baby’s brain development, it is recommended to seek medical advice if there is no significant improvement after the first few months.
It’s worth noting that flat head syndrome can also cause practical difficulties for both children and adults. For instance, some people may have trouble wearing protective headgear for activities such as cycling and rock climbing, especially if they have moderate to severe flat head syndrome. Additionally, wearing glasses daily may also be challenging if the ears are severely misaligned due to severe flat head syndrome.
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