Heard of apartment head syndrome, but kind of confused almost what information technology information technology?

Or, more than importantly, if your infant might have it?

We go it. Most mums accept heard the term bandied around mother's group or know someone whose baby may have been diagnosed with the status.

Flat head syndrome, like the proper name implies, means that infant has a scrap of a misshapen, apartment or asymmetrical (uneven) head. While it's extremely mutual and usually hands treatable, it can yet be a bit scary for parents.

If you're worried that your infant might be developing a apartment caput, accept a deep jiff for a second, then permit us fill y'all in and curb your fears most plagiocephaly.

Then what is it EXACTLY?

Flat head, otherwise known as positional plagiocephaly is an extremely common status that affects between10-30% of infants. Don't let the fancy scientific name scare you though! Plagiocephaly does not affect the development of your infant's encephalon. PHEW. If left untreated notwithstanding, it tin can modify their physical advent, which is why it'south good to have all the facts so that y'all know what to await for.

Why would my infant develop flat caput syndrome?

You know how you had to Clasp that head out of a very narrow opening during birth? Yeah, you tin blame physiology in some office for flat head. The bones in a baby'southward caput aren't fused, significant they can easily (well, theoretically) pass through the birth culvert. It also ways they tin be moulded into a unlike shape.

Nosotros've all seen pics of newborns with a cone shaped head, immediately mail service nascency. Flat head works on the same principal. Add to that soft head the fact that newborns often develop a preference for how they'd like to sleep and ding ding ding, you've got a recipe for a wonky head.

Dr Scott Dunlop,Sydney Paediatrics and Kids Consultant, tells Mum Key that newborns oftentimes develop a favourite position while in the womb and go along to prefer it afterward birth. "Many of those [babies] self-correct as they have the infinite to move around, but others proceed and that can atomic number 82 to a apartment head, Dr Dunlop says.

A tightening of the neck muscles on one side, or torticollis, can likewise contribute to the development of flat head syndrome.

Dorsum sleeping, SIDS, and apartment head syndrome

Modern mamas know to e'er put baby to sleep on their back. But while the SIDSsafe sleeping guidelineshave cutting sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), the other result is more babies with flat heads. Of course, the benefits of back sleeping far outweigh whatever potential risk of a flat head. And there are plenty of strategies you lot can utilize to minimise the risk of flat head while still sleeping your infant safely.

Brachycephaly versus plagiocephaly versus scaphocephaly… SAY WHAT?

While plagiocephaly is the term mostly used to draw flat caput syndrome, there are two OTHER terms to become your natural language around. Dr Dunlop fills usa in. "Flat head syndrome can encompass skull flattening at the rear known as brachycephaly or at the side, known as plagiocephaly." These are both positional atmospheric condition caused past the way your babe sleeps and the side they favour turning their caput towards.

The more uncommon scaphocephaly is a structural consequence where certain bones in a child's skull fuse prematurely. This can foreclose normal skull growth and is a condition usually treated with surgery.

Can y'all prevent flat caput?

Onto the really important stuff! Can flat head syndrome be prevented! Yes, information technology well-nigh certainly can! The Royal Children'southward Hospital recommends these three things to prevent infant developing a flat head:

1. Caput and cot position for sleep

Remember what we said about back sleeping? Past alternating your baby's head position when they sleep, you have the pressure off the same spot making contact with the cot every time. Effort putting them down at alternating ends of their crib for each sleep or motion their bassinet into different positions to encourage them to wait at things like windows or murals from a different bending.

The 411 on Flat Head Syndrome

ii. Tummy time

Whether your bub likes it or loathes information technology, tum time is super important for building cervix force and preventing apartment head. During awake time, ensure plenty of floor fourth dimension and time spent sitting up, supported, on your lap. Utilize brightly coloured toys and books (or your vocalisation!) to assistance them to wait from side to side.

how to avoid flat head syndrome

3. Vary your carrying (and cuddling) positions

Try and avoid having your baby lie downwardly constantly (easier said than done, nosotros know!) Holding them upright, using a baby carrier or sling and even using the 'aeroplane' position where y'all behave them over your arm on their stomach or side can assistance ensure they aren't putting too much pressure on one part of their skull.

The 411 on Flat Head Syndrome

I think my kid has apartment head, now what?

The most important matter? Don't panic! It'south non unusual for a newborn babe to have a slightly, well, wonky shaped head. Virtually babies' heads will render to a normal, circular shape effectually six weeks subsequently nascency. For some babies even so, a flattened spot may have adult.

The best course of action? Have a chat to your GP, early on babyhood nurse or Paediatrician. According to Dr Dunlop, the bulk of flattening can be picked up and treatment devised early on. While mild cases will usually non crave specific treatment, more than severe cases may crave extra aid. "Depending on the severity [of the case] your doctor may refer you to a paediatric physiotherapist for specific massage and stretching manoeuvres," says Dr Dunlop.

Inless than one in 10 cases, helmet therapy may be required. This involves a lightweight helmet existence used to reshape the skull. It does this by taking force per unit area off the flat area and allowing the skull to grow into the space provided. Your doctor or physiotherapist can advise on this form of handling if accounted necessary.

The other trouble that can bear upon newborn babies is hip dysplasia. Here's what parents need to know about hip dysplasia in babies.