Table of contents:
- What is a baby's head?
- What causes baby's head to become twisted?
- 1. Sleeping position
- 2. Pressure in the uterus
- 3. The baby was born prematurely
- How can you prevent the baby's head from falling?
- 1. Change the position of the head
- 2. Often holding the baby
- 3. Doing tummy time
- Does the baby need therapy?
- Using a special helmet head
One of the characteristics of a newborn is a soft head. Therefore, you have to be careful because this can lead to changes in the shape of the baby's head. One of them is being a woman. Even though it's not a dangerous thing, let's find out what causes it, how to treat it, to prevent the baby's head from becoming sore below.
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What is a baby's head?
In medical language, flat head syndrome or head peyang referred to as plagiocephaly .
This is a very common problem when a baby's head develops an abnormal shape.
For example, when the baby's head becomes flat (flat) on the left or right.
Quoted from The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, this condition usually does not affect the baby's brain development.
Therefore, the opinion that states that the head can affect the brain is just a myth.
However, if this condition is allowed, the shape of the baby's head becomes uneven.
What causes baby's head to become twisted?
Here are some of the causes of a baby's head to become sore, including:
1. Sleeping position
The most common cause of a baby's head twitching is the sleeping position. Moreover, when you put the baby to sleep on his back for a long time.
This pressure then causes the shape of the head that should be round to flatten at the back and the shape of the face is not symmetrical.
The reason is, in the development of a baby since he was born, the skull bones are still relatively soft so they can easily change if they are exposed to pressure.
2. Pressure in the uterus
In some cases, the headache can also be caused due to heavy pressure in the birth canal at birth.
Quoted from Johns Hopkins All Children's, the fact is that most twins are born with a flat or twisted head shape.
Not only that, torticollis or neck muscle disorders can also cause a child's head to become sore.
This can happen while the baby is still in the womb or after being born.
This condition can make it difficult for the baby to turn his head so that the head is in the same position for a long time.
3. The baby was born prematurely
It should also be noted that this condition is also more prone to be experienced by premature babies.
This is because the skull bones are much softer than those of full term babies.
Moreover, most babies who are born prematurely require treatment with special tools and make them lie flat for a long time.
How can you prevent the baby's head from falling?
A baby's flat head is generally harmless. Therefore, parents do not need to worry excessively because this condition can be prevented in certain ways.
What's more, most babies' heads that are tired usually get better naturally.
Namely, when the baby already has the strength to move and control his own head.
Here are some preventive ways parents can do so that the baby's head is not damaged, including:
1. Change the position of the head
The supine sleeping position can indeed make the baby's head peek. However, that does not mean you have to change the sleeping position to be prone.
This is classified as more dangerous because it can trigger the baby to die suddenly.
Therefore, you can work around this by periodically changing the position of your head from left to right and vice versa.
Then, you can also place the rounder side of the head against the mattress and the side of the head that is upward.
Likewise, when breastfeeding, you can swap the position of the baby from one side to the other.
2. Often holding the baby
You can vary the way to hold the baby from an upright, cuddled, or tilted position.
This aims to reduce the emphasis on the head on the back.
3. Doing tummy time
Instead of putting the baby on his back, allow your little one to do it tummy time or stomach while he was awake.
Not only as a form of prevention so that the baby's head is not loose, this position is very necessary to develop motor skills.
Then, tummy time also at the same time can train to strengthen the baby's neck muscles so that it will be easier for him to move his head while sleeping.
Instead, don't be easy to believe if someone says that massage can restore the shape of the baby's head.
This is also a myth because the soft texture of a baby's head should not be pressed or even massaged.
Does the baby need therapy?
It has been explained above that a baby's head that is peeled on the right or left does not generally require any treatment.
However, if precautions are not enough, you should see a specialist.
It is possible that the baby will need to do head massage therapy, such as physical therapy or by using a special helmet.
Physical therapy is done regularly to help improve the baby's neck reflexes. Keep in mind that this therapy must be done carefully and consistently.
Using a special helmet head
If this physical therapy does not produce results, the next step the doctor will recommend to do carniar orthotic therapy .
This is a type of therapy using a special helmet and headband to restore the shape of the head. This therapy can be done when the baby is 4 months to 12 months old.
This is because at that age the baby's skull is still soft. Moreover, the baby's helmet will be worn for 23 hours per day.
This treatment generally lasts two to six months, depending on how early you started and how severe the problem is.
This special helmet can help improve the shape of the baby's skull as it grows.
The way it works is to put pressure on one side of the head and reduce pressure on the other side.
This allows for even growth throughout the skull.
Therefore, if someone says that a baby's head cannot return, this is also a myth.
Always consult the development and changes that occur in your little one with a doctor. This is done so that doctors can monitor the child's condition properly.
Moreover, the decision to do therapy was because the head of this person was based on certain cases that could not be done carelessly.