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

When an accident happens and the unfortunate result is a fracture or break of a bone in the hand, past direction has always been to have it casted after seeing a doctor and confirming it with an X-ray. New technology has brought us a long way to allow us comfort, function and support with these types of injuries.

The EXOS family of wrist and thumb Spica splints are a nice alternative to casting. They offer adaptability in cases of atrophy or swelling. The unique Boa fit system accommodates for these volume changes. The brace can be removed for cleaning unlike a fracture cast.

Why not have our trained staff consult with you, if you are looking for an alternative to the traditional hand, wrist, arm cast.

This supportive device is an important tool in the recovery and rehabilitation of any successful shoulder surgery.

At Orthobility bracing, we carry various brands of immobilizers from Donjoy to Coreflex and many more top brands recommended by surgeons. The client is responsible for bringing the brace with them, on the day of the surgery. The immobilizer is mandatory to have before the patient gets released after their surgery is completed.

Each patient who purchase and gets sized for an immobilizer is should know how to correctly put the brace on and take it off, so they can do it themselves when the time comes. There is also a video, should they forget or need a refresher.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ5uMQsSRG8

The brace is recommended to be worn for 4-6 weeks post-surgery , 23 hours a day. The brace can be removed for short periods throughout the day for bathing and some simple exercises approved by the surgeon.

Sleeping while wearing the brace is included in the daily time frame and can be tricky. Most clients often find sleeping in a seated or semi reclined position the most comfortable.

Cold therapy is recommended to reduce swelling and should be applied for 15 minutes every few hours for the first week, in combination with the immobilizer.  As swelling becomes less prominent, the number of times cold therapy needs to be applied is reduced.

About 2 weeks after surgery, a follow up appointment is required with the surgeon. Physiotherapy is usually recommended at this point to complete the full recovery of the surgery.

Please call us at Orthobility Bracing to answer any questions, book an appointment for sizing an immobilizer, or anything else related to a shoulder injury. We can help.  289-724-1956