Is your baby’s head out of shape? Causes and treatments

 Is your baby’s head out of shape? Causes and treatments

Newborn Baby’s Head Shape

When you first cradle your newborn, it’s common to notice that their head may look somewhat out of shape. Newborns have soft spots, known as fontanels, on their heads. These fontanels aid in the birthing by allowing the head to pass through the birth canal more easily. As a result, a newborn's head may appear pointed or misshapen shortly after birth. Premature babies might have more pronounced misshapen heads due to less-developed bones than full-term babies. Twins, who share the womb, may also be more likely to have irregularly shaped heads due to limited space to change positions. Low levels of amniotic fluid during pregnancy can further contribute to a misshapen head by providing less cushioning and limiting fetal movement. It’s normal for a newborn’s head to be out of shape, and with time, love, and care, it typically rounds out within a few months.

Natural Correction of Baby’s Head Shape Fontanels remain open in infants to accommodate their growing brains. While fontanels are delicate, they are protected by tough membranes. Gentle massage and handling during bathing, dressing, and holding your baby won’t harm these soft spots. Over time, mineral deposits accumulate in the baby’s skull bones, causing them to fuse and close the fontanels. The fontanel at the back of the head usually closes between 6 weeks and 4 months, while the larger fontanel at the front typically closes around 18 months. As these gaps close, the irregular head shape from birth naturally evens. It's generally acceptable for a baby’s head to remain misshapen up to 4 months.

Can a Perfectly Shaped Baby’s Head Become Misshapen Later? Occasionally, a baby's head may initially appear normal but later develop a flat or misshapen area due to sleeping or feeding habits. A flat area at the back of the head is known as "Brachycephaly," while a flat spot on one side is termed "Plagiocephaly." Both are positional cephalic disorders.

Simple Changes to Naturally Correct Baby’s Head Shape Changing your baby’s sleeping and lying positions frequently can help the flattened areas of the head to naturally regain their shape. Special baby pillows, filled with loose mustard seeds provide a maneuverable base for the head while sleeping. Pillows featuring a depression in the centre can also help relieve pressure on the baby’s head.

Sleeping Positions and Baby’s Head Shape While it’s important to put babies on their backs to sleep to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), it’s also beneficial to encourage supervised tummy time during waking hours to promote proper physical and motor development.

Other things to do at home to correct baby's head shape

If you find one side of your baby's head flat, change the position of mirrors and toys, your baby loves to look at. This will encourage her to keep her head on the alternate side.

Keep changing her position while feeding also. The sling can be tried to make the little one sleep to relieve the pressure points on the delicate head. Baby bouncers and rockers with colourful toys can also provide alternate playing and feeding positions for your honey bun.

When to Consult a Doctor About Baby’s Head Shape

If your efforts to correct your baby’s head shape don’t yield results by 6 months, it’s advisable to consult your child’s doctor for guidance. Early intervention, up to the age of 2 years, can often resolve the issue.

Treatment for Positional Plagiocephaly Positional Plagiocephaly is common, affecting approximately 1 in 2 infants, with about 1 in 10 requiring medical treatment. Custom-fitted Cranial-Remolding Helmets can correct the shape of the baby’s head by providing constant corrective pressure. Starting this treatment early, ideally around 4 months of age, yields the best results.

Birth Defects and Baby’s Head Shape In rare cases, a misshapen head may be due to a birth defect called Craniosynostosis, where one or more skull bone joints fuse prematurely. Symptoms include the absence of a soft spot at birth, early closure of fontanels, seizures, bulging eyes, and developmental delays. Treatment involves cranial surgery to separate the fused bones, followed by postoperative care, which may include wearing a helmet for support.

Conclusion Whether your baby’s head shape is irregular due to natural causes or a birth defect, timely intervention and consultation with a paediatrician are crucial. Discuss your concerns with your child’s doctor to determine the best course of action for your little one.