Meredith Wright So many parents face this situation and suddenly begin to panic, but rest assured this is a common problem and can often be resolved without extreme measures.
The frequency of this concern for parents began to increase in 1992 when the “Back to Sleep” campaign suggested lying an infant on their back in their crib instead of on their tummy in effort to decrease the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). While the American Academy of Pediatrics does feel the campaign has led to decreased instances of SIDS (1),other research indicates a correlation in the rise of plagiocephaly (flat spots) (2) due to the campaign. Nevertheless, some feel this is a small price to pay for keeping infants alive.
It would be shortsighted to place all the blame on the “Back to Sleep” campaign though. Numerous other factors can be at play such as a restrictive uterine environment, torticollis (muscle stiffness in the neck), infant carriers, bouncy seats and swings (3) to name a few. While some of these factors may be avoided, others are entirely out of a parent’s control.
The article below from kidshealth.org has great information on positional plagiocephaly, along with some excellent tips for repositioning techniques that may solve the problem without medical intervention.
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/positional_plagiocephaly.html#
At EastPoint Prosthetics and Orthotics, we offer advanced scanning technology for cranial shaping helmets. Unlike some other methods that can be uncomfortable or scary for your child, our kinderBAND™ scanner can be used while your child is sitting on your lap! If you have any concerns, talk with your child’s doctor for a prescription to get a scan. We have an excellent track record of successful outcomes. Most parents of our patients feel the sacrifice of time spent in the cranial helmet far outweighs the future benefits for their child. While there are some who may dispute the need or effectiveness of this process, we have seen the proof in our own patients. Here is an additional resource explaining effectiveness of the cranial reshaping process. http://www.oandp.com/articles/2014-08_04.asp
For more information about our Raleigh area cranial helmet provider, you can call (919) 844-7897.
For our Eastern NC cranial helmet provider, call (252) 522-3278.
Cited Sources:
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9086896
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