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How to avoid flat head in a baby

Plagiocephaly is the medical name for flat head syndrome. When a baby has a flat head, it is mostly a cosmetic problem, which does not affect the development of the baby's brain.

What is flat head syndrome? How to prevent it? What care should be taken?

Flat head syndrome is manifested by one side (right or left) of the back of the skull flattened, and the forehead on the same side bulging.

It is more common in boys (75%), and usually appears around 2 months of age.

Causes of flat head in Baby

Several phenomena can explain flat head syndrome in a baby. Nevertheless, most of the time, the head is caused by a lack of mobility of the infant.

Always the same position

Most of the time, a baby's flat head is due to their lack of mobility.

Important : Sleeping on your back promotes flat head syndrome because the bone at the back of the head becomes flattened over time. little. However, to prevent sudden death in newborns, sleeping on your back is strongly recommended.

It is therefore essential to continue to put your baby to sleep on your back. In France, this sleeping position saves the lives of 20,000 babies every year.

The baby's immobility can take place outside of the hours of sleep. A baby who is often in his crib or stroller moves his head very little. The risk of flattening the head is therefore greater.

Other causes of plagiocephaly

During delivery, babies skulls are soft. Passing through the vagina, the skull may therefore deform slightly. Usually, the deformities disappear after a few days. However, it happens that for some babies certain deformities get worse.

Cause or consequence of flat head, depending on the situation, torticollis can also explain flat head plate. If your baby has a torticollis, he will always turn his head to the same side, even if you turn his head yourself. A torticollis can be treated by a physiotherapist

Avoid flat head by stimulating your baby

At least three times a day, leave your baby on his stomach for a few minutes, while watching him. The goal is to get your child used to other positions to prevent flat head syndrome.

Even if you always have to put your baby on their back, don't be afraid to change the position. location of the cot. Once, place it facing the door, then facing the window, and so on. In this way, you attract your child's curiosity to invite him to look around.

Outside the car, avoid car seats (cosy), in which the baby moves his head very little. When you are not on the road, choose, for example, a pram carrycot, which allows the infant to turn his head more freely.

My flat-headed baby: what to do?

Consult a newborn osteopath

To find out the origin of a baby's plagiocephaly, you must consult an osteopath for newborns. He can then check if it is torticollis, and inform you of the necessary care.

You can also go to your doctor or pediatrician first , who will be able to redirect you to other professionals.

A syndrome that can be treated, rest assured.

A baby's skull continues to form until the age of 2. In the vast majority of cases, when the baby is taken care of before its 4 months, the deformities disappear completely.

Physiotherapy exercises can be prescribed to promote amplitude infant movements. After 4 months, if the deformation is still there, tight-fitting helmets are sometimes prescribed to help the skull regain its rounded shape.

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