What you need to know
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What is plagiocephaly?
How does the treatment work?
Plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, is a condition in which your infant's head develops a flat spot or is misshapen. It usually affects one side of your baby's head. This makes your baby's head look abnormal or asymmetrical. Plagiocephaly can be divided into three types:
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Plagiocephaly
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Brachycephaly
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Scaphocephaly
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A cranial molding helmet is used to help to align skull bones while the cranium is growing.
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Helmets rely on brain growth to help reshape the cranial bones. Brain growth is greatest between birth and age 12 months: during this time, skull bones are more malleable.
**Helmets are not generally recommended after 12 months because brain growth has slowed.**
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What is the recommended age?
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How to prevent flat head?
If plagiocephaly is resistant to 2-3 months, a trial of conservative treatment can be used. A cranial molding orthotic may be used between ages 4-12 months.
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0-4months - Conservative treatment (positioning, tummy time, exercise, physical therapy)
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4-7 months - Best age to begin helmet therapy based on brain growth and skull bone malleability.
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7-12months - Cranial growth starting to slow, good results are still possible, may take longer.
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Encourage tummy time
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Alternate your baby's head position
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Hold your baby
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Frequently move your baby between places (crib, stroller, swing, etc)
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Put your baby to sleep on their back at alternate ends of the crib
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Minimize the time your baby is stationary during walking hours
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Alternate holding positions during feeding time between right and left arm.
