Most parents also worry about problems concerning misshapen heads in infants. At first they may not see this happening to their babies not until a few months when it starts showing. Parents have to understand that at birth, the skulls of their babies are still soft and pressure that is exerted on the same area for quite some time will cause it to be flattened or to be misshapen. The most common problem of misshapen heads in infants is called positional plagiocephaly. Parents may expect their babies to develop this condition if they let their babies spend a lot of time on their backs especially when their heads are pressed against a very firm mattress.
Although parents were advised that it is safer to put babies to sleep on their backs rather than on their bellies, more misshapen heads in infants have resulted. Parents will have to take note that they need to prevent infant death with supine position for sleeping, they also have to see to it that their babies do not develop positional plagiocephaly. Parents may also be told not to worry about misshapen head in infants as they normally round back on their own when the babies reach about six months.
However, parents may need to consult their doctors about it so that corrective measures on misshapen heads in infants may be done earlier. Parents may also seek solution from pediatric plastic surgeons in severe cases. Doctors may also recommend baby helmets to correct the problem. They may also advice some therapy to reposition the babies’ heads in mild cases. Parents will be advised to change their babies’ position from time to time especially when they are sleeping. This will also help parents to prevent pressure on one area as it causes the misshapen heads in infants as babies have the tendency to sleep in the same position that they are comfortable with.
Aside from changing positions of the babies when they are asleep to prevent misshapen heads in infants, parents can also alternate positions when they are bottle feeding their babies. They may also try to prevent this problem by not leaving their babies too long in car or infant seats and also in baby swings or baby carriers. Likewise, they may also put their babies on their bellies when the infants are awake. This may also serve as exercise time for the babies where they can strengthen their neck muscles and avoid the development of misshapen heads in infants. Doctors may also recommend to parents to follow other forms of therapy for the babies to improve the strength of their necks and avoid this type of condition.
