Preventing Flat Head Syndrome

Car seats that click easily in and out of your car are undoubtedly safe. Unfortunately, however, in recent years they have also contributed to a dramatic rise in plagiocephaly, or “flat head syndrome”. Of course, it is much easier to take the car seat out while the baby is sitting comfortably in it, but is that the wisest choice?

Car seats & back sleeping

In the past, babies were placed in car seats only when they were actually in the car, and they could sleep however they preferred. Dare I say it? Even on their tummies. Some studies have shown a dramatic reduction in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome when babies are placed on their backs. As a result, babies now spend considerably more time on their backs. This puts pressure on the same area at the back of their soft, developing skull (the occiput).

This development, combined with new click-in car seats, has considerably increased the amount of time babies spend on their backs over the past decade. Have you ever wondered why you seem to see more babies wearing helmets these days?

Signs of problems

Flat head syndrome itself is usually not a lasting problem if it is noticed early while the skull is still developing. Too much “container time”, however, can lead to other problems. Consider how often you carry your baby’s car seat around and compare that with a loss of your sense of touch

How much “container” time?

Babies should only be in a car seat while travelling. This means taking your child out of the car seat as soon as you arrive. You should therefore not place the seat in the pushchair or leave your child sitting in it. Babies should also never fall asleep in the car seat (unless, of course, you are travelling by car).

At home, try to keep the time your child spends in a seat (swing, bouncer and so on) as short as possible. Give your child regular tummy time so they can develop the muscles in their upper body and neck. You can also help prevent flat head syndrome by occasionally repositioning their head while they sleep. This prevents pressure from continually being applied to the same area.

Many babies also have minor issues in the neck as a result of the birth process itself (especially after vacuum-assisted births), which may cause them to continually tilt or turn their head to one side. Chiropractors can gently adjust the vertebrae to restore a full range of motion. This reduces pressure on the nerves, allowing babies to grow and develop as healthily as possible.