La guía definitiva de cascos para bebés con síndrome de cabeza plana

Si está preocupado por la cabeza plana de su bebé o está considerando si un casco es la solución adecuada, no está solo. El síndrome de cabeza plana, conocido médicamente como plagiocefalia o braquicefalia , afecta aproximadamente al 15 %* de los bebés: alrededor de 102 000 bebés al año solo en EE. UU. Con una intervención temprana y un cuidado adecuado, a menudo se puede corregir de forma natural. Esta guía cubre todo lo que necesita saber sobre los cascos para bebés con cabezas planas, desde los métodos de prevención hasta cómo reconocer cuándo puede ser necesaria la terapia con casco.

*Hutchison, B Lynne et al. “ Plagiocefalia y braquicefalia en los primeros dos años de vida: un estudio de cohorte prospectivo”. Pediatría vol. 114.4 (2004): 970-80. doi:10.1542/peds.2003-0668-F

What is Flat Head Syndrome?

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Flat head syndrome is a condition where an infant’s head becomes flattened on one side or at the back. This occurs when consistent pressure is applied to a specific area of the skull, often due to prolonged time spent lying in the same position. Since a baby’s skull grows in the direction of least resistance, this can result in visible flattening. The most common types of flat head syndrome are:

• Plagiocephaly: Flattening on one side of the head.

• Brachycephaly: Flattening across the back of the head, making it appear wider than usual.
   

While this is primarily a cosmetic condition, addressing it early is essential to support your baby’s overall development and prevent long-term cosmetic concerns. To measure whether a flat head is present, the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI) for plagiocephaly and the Cephalic Index (CI) for brachycephaly are internationally recognized standard methods.

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How Do Baby Helmets Work?

Baby helmets, or cranial orthoses, are custom-fitted devices designed to gently reshape your baby’s head as they grow. These helmets work by applying mild pressure to the flat areas of the skull while leaving room for growth in other areas.

• Ideal Timing: Helmet therapy typically begins between 4 to 6 months of age when the skull is most malleable.

• Duration: Helmets are usually worn for 23 hours a day over several months, depending on the severity of the flattening and the baby’s age at the start of treatment.

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Can Flat Head Syndrome Be Prevented Without a Helmet?

The great news is that in many cases, flat head syndrome can be prevented or significantly minimized through natural, simple techniques. Up until the end of the first year, the rapid growth of the skull slows down, and any shape corrections become more difficult. Therefore, the first 12 months are crucial for correction. 

Here are some effective prevention strategies:

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1. Tummy Time

Encourage your baby to spend supervised time on their tummy while awake. This helps strengthen neck and shoulder muscles while reducing pressure on the back of the head.

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2. Alternate Sleeping Positions

Place your baby’s head in different directions when putting them down to sleep. When your baby becomes more active, stimulate head movement by attaching their favorite toy to different sides of the crib. Always follow safe sleep guidelines by placing your baby on their back to sleep.

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3. Rotate the Cradle

Babies often look toward sources of light or their caregivers. If your baby has a preferred sleeping position, turn their cradle so they are encouraged to look in the opposite direction, promoting balanced head positioning.

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4. Change Feeding and Holding Positions

Alternate the arm you use to hold your baby during feedings, and ensure they are not always resting on the same side of their head. This reduces repeated pressure on one area of the skull. Elly shows you in this video below how you can do practice this.