Currently, the baby helmet for treating flat head syndrome has gained tremendous popularity. It is a safe, non-invasive treatment for an asymmetric or unusually wide head shape. This therapy is very much similar to teeth bracing.
Recommendation
The flat-head syndrome occurs in those infants who are often lying in the same sleeping position, causing an external casting force unilaterally on the back of the skull. Positional skull deformities have become very common and there is only one recommendation is to place babies on their backs to sleep.
The “Back to Sleep” campaign is now famous as the “Safe to Sleep.” It has been highly effective in reducing nationwide rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
What Exactly a Baby Helmet Therapy Is?
Basically, baby helmet therapy is a type of treatment in which a baby is fitted with a special helmet to correct the skull’s shape. This therapy is also known as cranial orthosis.
Is helmet therapy the only treatment for an infant with a positional skull deformity?
Well, it depends on the situation if the condition is not serious, then changing your baby’s usual positions or starting physical therapy may help. If your child has moderate or severe positional skull deformity that doesn’t respond to changing positions, or if the baby is older, then in such case, helmet therapy may be recommended.
Apart from the therapy, there are several strengthening exercises that prove beneficial for babies with torticollis. But these exercises are helpful if your baby’s neck muscles are tighter and more contracted on one side.
What is the first step of getting a Baby Helmet for Flat Head?
A pediatrician may recommend a helmet after examining your baby’s head shape. It is good to get it from someone who is trained to properly measure and fit the helmet is necessary.
What is the right age to start wearing a baby helmet to treat flat-head syndrome?
According to the doctors, using a baby helmet for flat head reduced skull flattening in three age groups, but it is more effective if the treatment starts at younger ages. Among infants with mild-to-moderate plagiocephaly, helmet therapy worked well 83 percent of those who started before 24 weeks. The success rate declined to 69 percent for babies starting treatment between 24 and 32 weeks and 40 percent when treatment was started at 32 weeks or later.
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