Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly refers to a flat spot on a baby’s head or misshapen head shape due to preferential sleeping, intrauterine positions, or torticollis. These will usually only affect one side of the head, which can make your baby’s head appear asymmetric or abnormal.
The treatment of positional plagiocephaly is not surgical. Our team can educate parents on repositioning techniques or the potential benefits of custom helmet therapy to improve head shape.
Treatment recommendations:
- Change your baby’s head position: While your baby is sleeping, you can try to gently turn their head to the side they don’t usually favour. When awake, promote head turning towards this side with toys or other interesting objects.
- Reduce time spent in car seat or baby swing: Time spent in places where baby’s head can’t move freely (e.g. car seat, swing) can increase the likelihood of developing a flat spot.
- Tummy time: Maximizing tummy time reduces the amount of time your baby places on the back of their head, as well as helps strengthen your baby’s arms, neck, and back.
- Hold your baby often: Holding your baby limits the time your infant spends leaning their head against a flat surface. Be aware of how you hold your baby to not favour one side over another.