Does your baby have a misshapen head? Physiotherapy can help!
Did you know babies’ skulls are soft and can be easily molded? They need to be in order to fit through mum’s birth canal, and then allow for their brains to grow!
If babies spend too much time lying with their head in one position they can develop a flat spot on the back of their skull. This is called plagiocephaly.
Signs to look for include:
- A flat spot on the back of the baby’s head
- An asymmetrical face, with one side more forward than the other
- One ear more forward than the other
- A preference for the baby to look to one direction, particularly when lying on their back
In order to check you baby’s head shape try looking from a bird’s eye view. You can even take a photo and try ‘Photoshopping’ in a circle around their head and drawing a straight line between their ears. This way you can see if there is an area which less round, or if one ear’s or one side of their face is more forward.
The good news!
As babies’ heads are rapidly growing and changing, this condition can be usually be treated easily and effectively. There are certain positioning strategies, stretches and exercises that can help to promote a round shape head. If you are concerned about your baby’s head shape, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our physiotherapists at Western Kids Health.
