03 Feb Noticed a flatten spot on your child’s head 

Been told that Helmet Therapy is the best solution for your child’s misshapen head

Babies are usually born without a flatten spot on their head. After birth, a flat spot may develop on baby’s head. This misshapen head shape is called Positional Plagiocephaly. Positional Plagiocephaly does not usually affect the development of a baby’s brain, but if left untreated, may change their physical appearance by causing uneven growth of their face and head. 

Here at My Favourite Physio, our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists have been able to help babies correct their misshapen head shape through effective Paediatric Physiotherapy without the use of helmet therapy.

Here are 3 Reasons why Helmet Therapy may not be the best solution for your child’s misshapen head:
1. The misshapen head is often a result of an underlying cause. The most common cause for baby to develop a misshapen head is a tight neck muscle called the Sternocleidomastoid muscle. Baby would have been born with the tight neck muscle, causing them to lie on one specific spot on their head, unable to turn to the opposite direction. Helmet Therapy cannot correct that tight neck muscle.

2. The misshapen head is a result of lack of Tummy Time play. Babies should be doing Tummy Time from Day One to strengthen their neck muscles and head control. Not placing baby on their tummy to play means that baby’s neck muscles are not strong enough to lift their head from the mat to turn their head side to side. Helmet Therapy does not help strengthen baby’s neck muscles.

3. The misshapen head is a result of baby having poor trunk muscles due to low muscle tone. Some babies have low muscle tone, which makes it challenging for baby to move against gravity. Helmet Therapy does not help baby improve their muscle tone and in fact may make it harder for baby to hold their head upright during tummy time or in supported sitting.

If you are concerned about your baby’s head shape, reach out to My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 or DM us @myfavouritephysio to speak to one of our Expert Paediatric Physiotherapists today.