Caring for our babies can be an emotional roller coaster. As parents, we want our children to be healthy and happy, so it is important to be aware of any abnormalities. Many parents are concerned about flat head syndrome or plagiocephaly, and wonder how it can affect their child, what to do to prevent it, how it came about...
Many of you may be wondering: should I be concerned about my baby's plagiocephaly? Is it serious? How will it affect their development? These concerns are normal. And the first thing parents should know is that, if detected early, plagiocephaly can be treated. It is possible to correct it and ensure that the baby's head has good proportions and symmetry.
How might my baby feel?
In general, plagiocephaly does not cause pain or discomfort in the baby, but it can affect their physical appearance. As long as they are a baby, they will not notice that their head has an abnormal shape or that they have facial asymmetry in the position of their ears, for example. However, as they grow older, they may begin to compare their appearance with that of other children, feel uncomfortable, be teased, and have lower self-esteem.
In some cases, plagiocephaly may be accompanied by other problems in the muscles or spine that can cause neck and back pain.
Is plagiocephaly serious and should I be concerned?
Plagiocephaly can become complicated if not treated in a timely or appropriate manner. As the baby grows, the abnormal shape of the head may become more apparent and may affect the position of the ears, eyes, and jaw. This can lead to dental, hearing, and vision problems.
In addition, plagiocephaly can affect the development of the baby's neck and spine. If the baby has restricted neck movement, they may develop torticollis, a condition in which the baby's neck twists to one side. Torticollis can also cause delays in motor development and posture problems.
What can I do to prevent it?
There are many simple actions that can help prevent plagiocephaly. Ideally, every time we put the baby to sleep, we should try to place their head in a different position, so that the weight is distributed across the entire back of the head.
It is also important, when awake, to place the baby on their tummy and stimulate them. Playing with them in this position and encouraging them to turn their head to look at you is very good because there is no pressure on them and it strengthens the muscles in their arms, hands, shoulders, and neck.
The mattress on which the baby rests is also an essential factor. Babies spend more than half of their day sleeping during their first year of life. That is why a mattress that does not put pressure on the head is important to prevent flat head syndrome.
At ECUS Kids, we offer mattresses from the Care® range with health certification because they reduce pressure on the baby's head by up to 70% compared to other crib mattresses on the market. If your baby already suffers from this condition, using this mattress will prevent it from getting worse and even help to improve it.
