Infant head shape

Helmet therapy

In the debate over ‘SIDS monitors,’ evidence is thin all around

Supporters hope modern baby monitors might prevent sudden infant death syndrome. Critics are doubtful. Who’s right? Smart Sock Gen 3. Owlet photo by Michael Schulson, Undark May 24, 2021 Each year in the United States, according to … READ MORE

It is a positive thing: How this mom and baby are demystifying cranial helmets

Born with brittle bone disease, Jackson Storey is defying the odds and wearing a cute helmet while doing it. Jackson Storey with his big sister, Brooklyn, 4. Abby Storey photo By Terri Peters, TODAY March 19, 2021 When Abby Storey was … READ MORE

Plagiocephaly may be an early indicator of developmental delay risk

Plagiocephaly has become an increasingly common diagnosis for infants. A study examines whether it could offer a clue about the child’s risk of developmental delay. Orthomerica STARband Marian Freedman, Jon Matthew Farber MD, … READ MORE

Are you worried your baby’s head has a flat area on it?

Have you noticed they always prefer to look or sleep with their head in one direction, or keep their head tilted to one side? If you are in the Calgary, Alberta area and feel your baby would benefit from an assessment with a … READ MORE

Understanding flat head syndrome (Plagiocephaly) in babies

Flat head syndrome, or plagiocephaly as the condition is medically known, occurs when a flat spot develops on the back or side of a baby’s head. Medically reviewed by Melanie Santos — Written by Donna Christiano, Healthline … READ MORE

Tummy time shown to aid infant development

Research review shows tummy time improves rolling, crawling and other motor development. Guide to tummy time: When to start and how to make tummy time fun. It’s important for infants to have daily tummy time. It helps with their … READ MORE

The Truth About Tummy Time

Pediatricians say it’s essential. But is it? I remember many things fondly from the time my kids were infants, but tummy time is not one of them. Deanna Donegan, The New York Times By Melinda Wenner Moyer, The New York Times April … READ MORE

Developmental outcomes of positional plagiocephaly

Flattening of the skull on the back or side of an infant’s head—also known as positional plagiocephaly and/or brachycephaly (PPB)—is a common problem seen in pediatric practice. Although flattened skulls in infancy, often … READ MORE

A pediatric epidemic: Deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and congenital muscular torticollis

A pediatric epidemic is sweeping the country. The incidence of infant deformational plagiocephaly and brachycephaly (DPB) and congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) has been on an upward spiral since 1992 when the American Academy of … READ MORE

Many parents not following safe-sleep advice for babies

Most babies are being placed on their backs to sleep—one of the key ways to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the study found. Infant deaths from accidental suffocation or strangulation during sleep have inched … READ MORE

What is torticollis in babies, and how is it treated? Because it’s literally a pain in the neck

If your baby appears to have a constant head tilt, then your pediatrician may diagnose the condition as torticollis. So what is torticollis in babies, and how is it typically treated? For the most part, this condition can be cured in … READ MORE

Babies with position-related head deformities need specialist evaluation and conservative treatment

Editor calls for ‘new directions’ in deformational plagiocephaly research. In the two decades since the start of Back to Sleep campaign, doctors and surgeons have seen a surge in the number of infants with … READ MORE

Baby helmet therapy tips and advice

When I learned of our baby’s craniosynostosis diagnosis, and that I wanted to push and fight for him to have the less invasive surgery, I also knew that baby helmet therapy was part of that package deal. The surgery fixed about 20% … READ MORE

How ‘tummy time’ factors into container baby syndrome – what primary care providers need to know

Some of the most commonly used devices for infants — car seats, swings, bouncy seats, strollers, carriers or any device that inhibits a young child’s chance to roll, move, wiggle and kick — pose a risk for motor skill delay, … READ MORE

Nonsynostotic deformational plagiocephaly: Understand, screen, and intervene

DP has a short window of opportunity for intervention while the skull bones are malleable; after age 24 months, the cranial sutures are generally fused. 0rthomerica Laura C. Steinmann RN, Samantha Elaine Struthers PhD OTR/L, Medscape … READ MORE

Plagiocephaly FAQs – National Association for Plagiocephaly

The National Association for Plagiocephaly. Below are some frequently asked questions about plagiocephaly. If your questions are not answered here, please contact The National Association for Plagiocephaly for more information. … READ MORE

Twin babies get helmets from Mary Free Bed

The two boys, Edgar and Vincent, have flat areas on the sides and down the middle-back of their heads, a consequence of positioning when they were in the womb. The boys landed in the severe category within a plagiocephaly and … READ MORE

Infant head position and shape clinic

If your baby is diagnosed with Deformational Plagiocephaly, Brachycephaly or Scaphocephaly and is between the ages of 3 and 18 months, your pediatrician or specialist may refer you to a practitioner who specializes in providing … READ MORE

The rest of the story – helmet treatment

Just under three years ago, the O&P profession was startled by the publication of the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the efficacy of cranial remolding orthoses.[1] Wren’s plagiocephaly and helmet journey – … READ MORE

Edmonton mom raises awareness about condition that requires baby to get head-shaping helmet

Angie McIntosh noticed her baby boy couldn’t turn his head to the right when he was six weeks old. Dylan McIntosh also had a strange flat spot on the left side of his head. Angie McIntosh’s baby Dylan has plagiocephaly, an … READ MORE

Infant positional plagiocephaly

Cranial asymmetry occurring as a result of forces that deform skull shape in the supine position is known as deformational plagiocephaly. Orthomerica Starband Carl Cummings MD, Principal author, Canadian Paediatric Society, Community … READ MORE

Does my infant need a helmet? Understanding positional plagiocephaly

Parents naturally start to worry if a flat spot began forming on the back of your baby’s head. It can be scary not knowing if it will go away. Since 47% of infants have some sort of flat spot, and one in 10 needing treatment, … READ MORE

Helmets do little to help moderate infant skull flattening, study finds

BMJ Helmet study — Our response. On May 1, 2014, the NY Times published an article discussing the recent British Medical Journal study that hypothesized that cranial helmets for babies don’t work to improve flat head syndrome. … READ MORE

Orthotic helmet therapy in the treatment of plagiocephaly

Jack. Orthomerica Starband Orthotic (helmet) therapy in the treatment of plagiocephaly, Goh JL, Bauer DF, Durham SR, Stotland MA. Neurosurg Focus. 2013 Oct;35(4):E2. doi: 10.3171/2013.7.FOCUS13260. Review. ▽ Table of Contents … READ MORE

Heads-up on positional plagiocephaly and whether it can affect a child’s development

When a child has positional plagiocephaly/brachycephaly (PPB) secondary to sleeping in the same position on their backs at night, we are usually asked two questions: 1. Will the flat head shape stay that way? and 2. Can it cause brain … READ MORE

How restrictive baby equipment can hinder development

As parents, we rely on convenient places to keep babies safe and contained, but common pieces of baby equipment could be leading to flat heads and muscle strains. Plagiocephaly, the clinical name for asymmetrical flat-headedness in … READ MORE

What’s the best treatment for positional plagiocephaly in infants?

Physical therapy—with helmet therapy if needed—is the recommended treatment for most infants with position-related flattening of the skull (plagiocephaly), according to a new set of clinical guidelines in the November issue of … READ MORE

Earlier helmet therapy yields better results for infants with skull flattening

For infants with skull flattening related to sleep position, starting helmet therapy at a younger age, especially before 24 weeks, increases the treatment success rate, suggests a study in the August issue of Plastic and … READ MORE

New research gives parents a heads-up (on plagiocephaly)

This morning, Kennedy had her 12-week scan done at STAR. I was so excited to take her, since I was pretty sure this would be the end of our time with the STARband. Kennedy has been wearing her helmet for three months – quite a long … READ MORE

Physical therapy is highly effective for infants with congenital muscular torticollis

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a common postural deformity in infants, and one that can be effectively treated by physical therapy. A set of updated, evidence-based recommendations for physical therapy management of CMT is … READ MORE

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