The use of a helmet for plagiocephaly is an effective way to re-shape the head if counter-positioning has not been successful. Usually, for mild plagiocephaly, counter-positioning is a viable option and should be tried first if a child is 3 to 6 months of age. If head shape does not improve, then a helmet is another option. Optimal time to start helmeting is between 5-6 months of age.

For moderate to severe plagiocephaly, helmet use may be the first option, especially if the client is 6-10 months of age. Time is of the essence since head growth has such a short window (80% is grown in the first year). It is during growth that the head shape can be influenced.

Remember, every child is different so these are just basic guidelines. See your orthotist, family doctor or physiotherapist regularly to monitor the progress of the head shape.

  Please contact us for more information on plagiocephaly and infant hemets

Aaliyah was recently diagnosed with scoliosis which is a sideways curvature of the spine that more often affects girls over boys.  She has had to adapt to a new brace and new exercises in hopes that her curve stabilizes during her growth.  With this has come some tough days, but one thing that has made it easier is her Higgy Bear. 

Higgy Bears are special stuffed animals designed specifically for scoliosis patients with mini scoliosis braces for the bears to wear.  Each animal comes with an x-ray, inspirational letters from other kids who have scoliosis, and a personalized card from the owner of Higgy Bears. 

Aaliyah was gifted a Higgy Bear who arrived on the day she picked up her brace.  It definitely made a difficult day much easier by giving her a little friend that wears a brace exactly like hers.

Aaliyah is excited to help other kids with scoliosis by gifting them a Higgy Bear just like hers.  She is asking for donations for the Higgy Bears Non-Profit Foundation to help with her mission.  Any donation, large or small, will go directly to Higgy Bears.  The bears will be sent to Aaliyah and she will have the opportunity to assemble them in care packages and hand deliver the bears to The Hospital for Sick Kids and Orthobilty Bracing.

Higgy Bears' mission is to make scoliosis more "bear-able" for scoliosis patients.  For more information about Higgy Bears and how they came to be, check out their website:    https://higgybears.com

If you would like to help Aaliyah, you can donate to her fundraiser by sending your donation by etransfer to aaliyahsfundraiser@gmail.com (you can use the password "Higgy").  Thank you in advance for your contribution to this special Organization that makes such a difference to Aaliyah each and every day.

Higgy Bear Non-Profit Foundation Website

I'd like to help Aaliyah

Counter-positioning: Placing your baby on the part of the head that is not flat is the first line of defence to help re-shape the head. If started early enough, the mild flat spot may correct itself since the head is growing. The best time to start counter-positioning is before 5 months of age since the baby hasn't developed the muscle strength to over-ride pads/towels etc.

It is very important to use counter-positioning techniques when the baby is sleeping or lying down on the back. Always avoid the baby sleeping on the stomach. Some will use a rolled-up towel to tilt the baby at a 45-degree angle to avoid contact on the flat spot. Placing toys on the opposite side of the crib to encourage turning away from the flat spot is also effective when the baby is awake. Speak to your pediatrician about these counter-positioning techniques.

Try also to make sure that your baby does not spend too much time in a baby car seat. In this situation, your baby may still favour lying on the flat spot for long periods of time.

Supervised tummy time a few times a day is another way of keeping your baby off the flat spot. It is also very important in helping the baby interact and gain neck and shoulder muscle strength. It will not be their favorite position at first but with time they will like it.

Check with your physician/pediatrician to see if torticollis is also present. This could contribute to the plagiocephaly and should be addressed right away. Torticollis will be addressed in a future blog.

Counter-positioning can be a very useful technique to re-shape the head of a baby with mild plagiocephaly. Results can be seen within a month or so if the techniques are achieved. If counter-positioning is not effective, helmeting would be another option.

Please contact us for more information on plagiocephaly and infant hemets

It is very important to keep in mind that plagiocephaly rarely affects normal brain development; it is mostly a cosmetic concern. At the same time cosmetics is important in this day and age. Many parents tend to feel guilty if they do not try and correct the flat spot "I don't want my child to say that we didn't do anything for the flat spot when they are 18 years old".

It is very important to discuss the different options. Getting information about counter-positioning and helmet therapy is the first step for parents to help them decide what options are available for their child with plagiocepaly.

Next time, we will discuss counter-positioning and helmet therapy.

Baby flat head, better known as plagiocephaly, is characterized by a flattened area of the head in an infant.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics began the 'Back to Sleep Campaign' to help reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Since the inception of the program there has been a reduction in SIDS by approximately 40%.

Because infants have been encouraged to sleep on their back, there has been a significant increase in babies with flat spots.

Counter-positioning and helmeting are two avenues used to help re-shape the flattened area.

Some of the common causes of baby flat head include:

• Sleeping in one position from birth through the first few months can change the head shape.
• Torticollis can be defined as the bending of the neck to one side and rotation in the opposite direction. This results in the infant sleeping constantly in one position thus possibly resulting in a flat spot. Therapy, which includes stretching the sternocleidomastoid muscle, will help restore proper neck movements.
• Limited space in the womb may result in a flat spot before birth. Torticollis can also occur in the womb due to positioning. Baby flat head and torticollis can also occur during the birthing process. In this case there may be trauma as the baby moves through the birthing canal.

Please contact us for more information on plagiocephaly and infant hemets