Plagiocephaly or flat head: act early!

You suspect your baby has plagiocephaly. In short, you’ve just noticed that your baby has a flat head. He’s not alone! Since the late 1990s, the number of babies with plagiocephaly has increased dramatically. This period corresponds to the roll-out of the “back sleeping” campaign by Health Canada, which has fortunately been successful in reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

What is plagiocephaly?

But first, what exactly is plagiocephaly? In short, it is the flattening of the right or left side of the back of the skull. Depending on the degree of severity, which varies from moderate to severe, flat head syndrome presents itself as a flatter half of the skull at the back of one side with the forehead bulging and the ear more forward. On the other side, the forehead appears flatter and the eye smaller on that side.

How does plagiocephaly occur?

Plagiocephaly can occur during pregnancy, during birth or after birth. The first step is to find the cause with a doctor or pediatric physiotherapist. It may be a malformation or the result of a torticollis, among other things. But flat head syndrome is most often caused by the sleeping position of the newborn, who may spend more than 15 hours a day sleeping on his or her back.

What should I do if my baby has flat head?

A baby’s skull is malleable to allow for rapid brain growth in the first few months of life. This is why, with early intervention, the shape of the skull can in most cases be reshaped by simple measures, such as varying the baby’s sleeping positions, and exercises such as placing the baby on his stomach for a few minutes, a few times a day, during the waking period.

Cranial orthosis (helmet): treatment of choice for plagiocephaly

A cranial orthosis may also be recommended by a professional in cases of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly (a flat spot at the back of the head). This baby helmet serves to redirect the growth of the skull. It applies the necessary forces to the required areas and provides the necessary clearance to remodel the child’s skull.

3D scan measurement: fast, accurate and stress-free

You can save your baby the inconvenience of plaster casting. With iBrace’s 3D scan technology, the measurement is done in seconds, without having to touch the baby’s head. The process is totally safe, because of the structured light without any rays. You get an ultra-precise custom-made cranial orthosis in one week.