Chiropractor, Beccy Norman
This condition is also known as positional head deformity or plagiocephaly. Firstly, there’s no need to panic, there are plenty of things that can be done to help your little one. The only time serious intervention is needed is for true craniosynostosis. This is where the sutures of the skull close too early and do not allow normal brain and skull growth. This is quite rare but your chiropractor will be able to pick up if this is the case. We would refer you to the right person as needed. This blog, written by chiropractor Beccy Norman, will hopefully put your mind at rest and give you a few helpful tips to help out.
What is Positional head deformity?
positional head deformity (PHD)
This is also known as plagiocephaly. PHD (Positional head deformity) is a flattening of the skull bones, particularly the bone at the back (occiput) in an infant. It is often missed at birth and slowly becomes more apparent , usually by three months due to increased skull growth. This is due to a variety of factors that I’ve listed below. The skull bones of an infant are very soft and this leaves them much more susceptible to deformation. The good news is that nearly all PHD’s are just a cosmetic issue and only 10% will persist past 6 months.
Contributing factors to positional head deformity:
There are different factors that contribute to the formation of the shape change and most of these actually happen through habits post birth. However, there are some factors that research has found to contribute during time in the womb:
- Being a twin, particularly the twin lower in-utero
- Low birthweight
- Maternal use of caffeine and tobacco
- Mal-positioning in-utero
Once our little one’s are born they spend most of their time, eating , sleeping and being changed! The way these are all done is exactly what can contribute to flattening of the skull.
- Changing– if your baby is always placed on the changing table the same way round then they will always be looking the same way. When nappies can get changed over 10 times a day this can have a big impact! Make sure you keep swapping round sides to ensure equal use of both sides of the head.
- Bottle feeding– if you are bottle feeding make sure you swap which arm you hold them in and keep switching it up to prevent a preferential side.
- Tummy time!- Not only is tummy time essential for baby development it’s a great time to take the pressure off that little head. 10 minutes a day is recommended for babies under two months but this doesn’t mean all in one go. Many people give up because babies get fed up after a few minutes but little and often is the best way to get them used to it. Tummy time also needs to be on a flat, firm surface, true tummy time doesn’t include mum or dad’s chest unfortunately!
- Sleep position –Since the back to sleep campaign that started in the 90’s there’s been a huge drop in the rate of SIDS ( Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) – fantastic news! However, this has meant there’s been an increase in flattening of the skull. This isn’t something we can avoid. It does mean that when babies are awake we need ensure they spend as little time on their backs as possible. If they have a side preference we need to make sure you’re coaxing them out of this as much as possible. During either day or night place toys on their less favoured side etc.
Where does chiropractic and osteopathy come in to this?
- Often Positional Head Deformity can be contributed to by baby being in an improper position in the womb. As chiropractors, we
Chiropractor Beccy Norman checking a happy, healthy child
rebalance the pregnant pelvis to give baby the best possible environment to grow. (just check out our pregnancy section on the website!)
- During the early months, while the sutures of the skull are yet to fuse, the skull is much more malleable. This means that with gentle cranial work we can help them along to get back where they should be.
- Sometimes a head preference to one side can be caused by tightness in the joints in the neck or by a particular muscle called the sternocleidomastoid. As Chiropractors, we are able to release this tension so your baby is able to move their head freely to both sides pain free.
- We are also able to tell you exactly what’s going on and why and provide advice that’s right for your baby.
- There is also often mention of using a special orthotic helmet for little ones with PHD. However, research shows that there is actually no difference between the use of helmets and no treatment at all. There are also side effects of the helmet. These include skin irritation, pain, excessive sweating and parents not being able cuddle their babies! This all implies it’s a much better idea to try more gentle techniques such as cranial work and coaching baby to use both sides.
If you have any questions or worries the best thing to do is just to get a complimentary spinal scan booked in with us to have a chat and so we can have a look at what’s going on and hopefully put your mind at ease!
References:
Chaitow, L., 2005. Cranial manipulation: theory and practice: osseous and soft tissue approaches. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Hutchison, B.L., Stewart, A.W. and Mitchell, E.A., 2009. Characteristics, head shape measurements and developmental delay in 287 consecutive infants attending a plagiocephaly clinic. Acta Paediatrica, 98(9), pp.1494-1499.
Miller, R.I. and Clarren, S.K., 2000. Long-term developmental outcomes in patients with deformational plagiocephaly. Pediatrics, 105(2), pp.e26-e26.
van Wijk, R.M., van Vlimmeren, L.A., Groothuis-Oudshoorn, C.G., Van der Ploeg, C.P., IJzerman, M.J. and Boere-Boonekamp, M.M., 2014. Helmet therapy in infants with positional skull deformation: randomised controlled trial. Bmj, 348, p.g2741.
