Is It Possible To Correct a Flat Head Without a Helmet?
Yes, it is! But there are some requirements and it is best to have some professional guidance.
Introducing… the Baby Bear Head Shape Program: an effective solution for parents who are worried about their baby’s head shape and hope to prevent the need for a helmet.
Here at Baby Bear, we have built our 5-star reputation around cranial remolding orthosis - aka “helmets”. We help determine if they are appropriate, we help ensure they fit perfectly, and we help families adjust to helmet-life with as little stress as possible.
But we also try to prevent the need for them.
See, we understand that a helmet is not the preferred option for correcting head shape asymmetries and families often wish they could have done more to prevent the need for a helmet. So let’s chat more about how to prevent the need for a helmet and how the Baby Bear Head Shape Program can help you if you are concerned about your baby’s head shape.
Note: conservative correction of head shape is only possible before a baby begins to roll from back to belly (about four months of age), so our program is designed for babies between the ages of 0-3 months.
Prevention Strategy #1: Optimize Sleep Positioning
The position your baby spends the majority of his or her time in will greatly impact the amount of pressure that is put on the pliable and ever-growing skull. If you notice a flat spot, the goal is to position the baby so the flat side is free from any pressure. This sounds simple in theory, but can be challenging if there are underlying muscle imbalances like torticollis at play. We can help you brainstorm exactly how to position your baby during naps and bedtime to help prevent the flattening from getting worse and even facilitate correction.
Related: How a Flat Spot Gets Better or Worse
Prevention Strategy #2: Address Muscle Imbalances & Torticollis
As mentioned above, muscle imbalances like torticollis are often the root cause of head flatness. Torticollis is a tightening of one side of the neck which results in limited range of motion and strength in the neck, impacting the baby’s ability to turn their head, hold their head in certain positions, and gain strength during tummy time. But torticollis doesn’t only impact the neck - without resolution, it can head to asymmetries in the jaw, trunk, pelvis, and hips. These asymmetries may hinder the achievement of developmental milestones and could result in a need for a helmet. Treatment of torticollis is best provided by an experienced therapist and involves a routine of corrective exercises and techniques.
Prevention Strategy #3: Avoid Container Use & Encourage Free Play
Containers are the products that we use to “contain” babies in a certain place: swings, car seats, bouncers, positional pillows, etc. Containers can be problematic for babies with head flatness because they often reinforce the position we are trying to avoid. Babies who have a head turn preference are most likely going to fall into that position for the duration of their time in the container; trying to reposition the baby every three minutes is exhausting for parents and typically not possible!
The current recommendation is that a baby spends no more than two hours in a container per day. This can be challenging in today’s culture where we spend so much time out of the house and have a lot to get done! A great place to start would be to: 1) wear your baby in a wrap or carrier as much as possible, and 2) encourage free play on the floor with play mats, gyms, and toys positioned to the non-preferred side as much as possible.
Related: Baby Gear and Flat Spots: How Containers Influence Head Shape
Prevention Strategy #4: Enlist the Help of A Professional
We understand how overwhelming all of this information can be - especially when you’re dealing with everything else that comes with having an infant (and housework and work and other children and activities and life)! That is why we are proud to offer our program, which includes one-on-one sessions packed full of practical, personalized, and effective solutions for your concerns.
With the Head Shape Program, you will get:
consistent measurements and photos of head shape changes, including a 3D scan for the most accurate data regarding your baby’s head shape (the same we use for our helmet consultations),
total body assessment, including screening for torticollis, muscle imbalances, range of motion, strength, and developmental milestones,
personalized recommendations for how to implement corrective strategies at home, when out and about, and during sleep,
help with tummy time and training in corrective exercises to help with any mobility or strength deficits,
recommendations for ongoing treatment if deemed appropriate.
Tell Me More
For more information about the Baby Bear Head Shape Program, check it out here or visit our services page and select “head shape consultation” to get scheduled for your first visit.