
Just because your baby’s head is flat doesn’t mean he or she has to wear a helmet. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: Why wouldn’t my baby wear a helmet? Well, first let me tell you that it’s not necessarily a bad thing for babies’ heads to be flat—it can actually indicate that they’re doing well. As the American Academy of Pediatrics explains in its blog on plagiocephaly: “If your child has a misshapen skull but no signs or symptoms, there may be no medical need for an intervention.”
So what would it take for an infant with plagiocephaly to get one of those cute decals on his/her helmet? First off, the doctor needs to confirm that the shape isn’t just due to premature birth or being born via C-section but rather true plagiocephaly (wherein one side of their head is flattened). Even then though, there are steps we can take as parents before resorting to corrective measures like helmets or even surgery (both options exist!).
Let’s talk about what it would take for a baby born with plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) to get one of those decals on his or her helmet.
A helmet decal is an easy way to turn your baby’s helmet into a personalized, customized piece of gear. It’s also helpful for parents who want to make sure that their babies’ helmets reflect the family name. The only problem is that it can be hard to find one in stock at the stores where you buy your child’s gear.
If you have a flat-headed infant and are looking for some good news about getting one of these stickers on their hat (or any other item), then we’ve got just what you need! To start things off:
- Your child needs to be fitted for a helmet first before any stickers can go on it. This means that he or she will have an appointment with a physical therapist or occupational therapist who specializes in this kind of thing—but don’t worry too much! They’ll take care of everything and make sure everything fits correctly before they leave so there won’t be any pain afterward either here too long
First, the baby has to be fitted for the helmet.
- First, the baby has to be fitted for the helmet.
- The helmet needs to be fitted properly.
- This should be done by a trained professional.
- You should have it fitted when you first notice the condition, or even before it gets worse.
According to BabyCenter, plagiocephaly is noted when “the back or side of [a] baby’s head looks flat.”
According to BabyCenter, plagiocephaly is noted when “the back or side of [a] baby’s head looks flat.” The condition is also sometimes referred to as “flat head syndrome,” but that term can be misleading because the misshapen skull isn’t necessarily caused by laying on your back. Most cases happen after birth, but in some instances it can occur before age 3 months. The cause of plagiocephaly is not known; however, some experts believe that it could be linked to a baby spending too much time on their back during swaddling, rocking or car rides.
It’s important to note that not all flat spots are indicative of plagiocephaly: some babies have naturally flat heads (like my daughter) while others develop such misshapen skulls after experiencing trauma or pressure from other parts of their bodies (like when you put too many toys into a crib). In these cases—which make up about 80% of all plagiocephaly diagnoses—doctors recommend repositioning your child’s sleeping position every few hours and keeping them away from tight-fitting soft toys while they’re awake so they don’t exert too much pressure against the affected area while playing with them.
It can occur after birth, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The vast majority of cases occur before age 3 months.”
It can occur after birth, but according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “The vast majority of cases occur before age 3 months.”
It’s more common in infants and boys. It also occurs more frequently in premature babies and those who are not breastfed.
In fact, one study found that 47 percent of infants had some type of misshapen skull by age 6 months.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, plagiocephaly is a common problem for babies. In fact, one study found that 47 percent of infants had some type of misshapen skull by age 6 months. Plagiocephaly occurs when babies spend too much time on their backs and not enough time sitting up or holding their heads upright in front of them. The condition can be corrected with a helmet, but only if it’s done early enough in your child’s life—sometimes as early as four months old! However, the AAP recommends noninvasive treatment for most cases before turning to helmets.
Helmets should only be used when other therapies have failed because they are invasive and may cause side effects like skin irritation and chafing as well as pressure sores over time. Parents should also know that while helmets are effective at correcting plagiocephaly-related issues in children who were diagnosed early enough (four months old or younger), they won’t necessarily prevent future occurrences; helmets are a quick fix rather than a long-term solution.
According to BabyCenter, risk factors for a flat spot include:
According to BabyCenter, risk factors for a flat spot include:
- Babies who spend a lot of time in car seats, swings, or bouncers.
- Babies who are born prematurely.
- Babies with a family history of plagiocephaly.
- Babies who have been diagnosed with torticollis (a condition where the neck muscles become tight and twisted).
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “prevention whenever possible” via tummy time and doctors’ recommendations.
Tummy time is a very important thing for your baby to do! A lot of doctors recommend it, and the American Academy of Pediatrics goes so far as to say that “prevention whenever possible” should be the goal for parents. That’s why it’s so important for you to make sure that your baby does tummy time—and if you have any questions about doing this, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor!
If needed, there are helmets available on the market such as Cranial Technologies’ DOC Band, that help reform babies’ heads in a noninvasive way.
If you’re looking for a helmet that will help correct your baby’s head shape, there are helmets available on the market such as Cranial Technologies’ DOC Band, that help reform babies’ heads in a noninvasive way.
What is plagiocephaly?
Plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, is a condition where children have an abnormal head shape due to constant pressure from lying down on one side of their head or from using car seats and bouncy chairs. Plagiocephaly can also be caused by premature birth or genetic factors. The skull bones may be deformed when they fuse together too early during development leading to unevenness in the skull shape and facial features.
There are things we can do to avoid letting our little ones develop the condition.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies sleep on their sides, not on their backs. Placing a baby to sleep on his or her back can cause the airway in infants to become blocked, which can lead to suffocation. In fact, this is the leading cause of SIDS deaths in children under 12 months old. While regulatory agencies have made several attempts at reducing the risk of SIDS by making car seats safer for smaller passengers with side impact protection and anti-rebound bars that keep vehicles from rolling over after an accident, it’s still important for parents to take steps themselves as well.
In addition to following these recommendations:
Use a helmet when biking or skating with your child; these activities are associated with increased risk of head injury during falls due to being thrown forward onto pavement surfaces by sudden stops or collisions
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed reading about the process of getting a decal for your baby’s helmet. It’s not easy to find out what kind of treatment your child needs, but it’s important that we keep them safe from head injuries as much as possible. If you have any questions about how to care for your baby or if they have been diagnosed with plagiocephaly or any other condition in which they need special attention, talk with their pediatrician immediately.