Neck Support Pillow Infant Head Positioner

Product Information

Appropriate tummy time is also important. Several times a day, when babies are awake, put them on their bellies for 20 minutes, Dr. Burke advises. This encourages them to turn their heads from side to side, push up on their arms and increase their muscle tone. This tightens and shortens one of the “strap muscles” that turn the head. These sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCMs) run from the collarbone to behind the ear. Infant head shaping pillows are not FDA-approved. The safety and effectiveness of these products have not been established for the prevention or treatment of flat head syndrome (also known as positional plagiocephaly or deformational plagiocephaly), or the more serious condition where the developing infant’s skull bones join together too early (known as craniosynostosis). Recommendations for Parents and Caregivers Siblings help when they play with the baby on the floor, encouraging the baby to follow them with his head in the restricted direction. Be aware that, in most cases, flat head syndrome will go away on its own as an infant grows, it is not painful and it does not cause any developmental concerns.

Get them to play with their hands and feet . Babies like to bring their hands together and their feet up to their hands. When your baby does this, it builds up muscles they will need to crawl. Discourage the use of infant head shaping pillows. Review this safety communication with your colleagues, care teams, parents, and caregivers who recommend, use, or may use infant head shaping pillows.

Questions?

Your pediatrician will explain how to reposition the baby and do infant massage and stretches. Or, they may refer you to physical therapy. Parents can begin home exercises immediately,” he says. What kind of stretches can help your baby? The FDA has cleared caps, helmets or head bands for use as cranial orthosis devices intended to improve cranial symmetry or shape in infants and toddlers from 3 to 18 months of age, with moderate to severe non-synostotic positional plagiocephaly. Some cranial orthosis devices are also intended for adjunctive use for infants from 3 to 18 months of age whose synostosis has been surgically corrected, but who still have moderate-to-severe non-synostotic positional plagiocephaly. If you notice that your child may have signs of torticollis or flat head syndrome please make sure that it is seen by a competent pediatric orthopedist. Only one cranial center offer a free evaluation, which is the Cranial Therapy Center in Lakewood, NJ.

Improve awareness and understanding among your colleagues and care communities regarding a safe sleep environment for infants, and etiologies and associated management options for flat head syndrome. National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, Annals of Maxillofacial Surgery, Congenital Muscular Torticollis, July-December 2013. However, if you can adjust their head position without causing wakefulness, you can attempt repositioning. If your doctor determines your baby has torticollis, it’s important to start treatment right away to prevent permanent asymmetry, a flat spot on your baby’s head and restricted head movement. Treatment options may include: Physical therapy

Reporting Problems to the FDA

But when it comes to your newborn, his message is clear: “If you have concerns, talk to your pediatrician sooner rather than later.” When the head tilt is significant or the muscle is really tight, more aggressive physical therapy is quite helpful in the first three months. What does repositioning involve?

Although babies can be completely safe and comfortable in their cribs without any extra items, many companies promote pillows for young babies and newborns. They're often said to help prevent "flat head" syndrome in babies and are used in cots and cribs. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to let your baby use a pillow until they are two years old. Is It Safe to Let Your Baby Sleep with a Pillow? Learn more about safe sleeping environments by visiting FDA’s Recommendations for Parents/Caregivers About the Use of Baby Products. Your baby prefers to look over the shoulder at you. Their eyes don’t follow you because that would require turning their head. Recently, the FDA became aware of companies marketing infant head shaping pillows with claims for the prevention and treatment of flat head syndrome without FDA clearance or approval. The FDA has communicated our concerns about these promotional materials to these companies and will continue to monitor promotional materials and claims for these medical devices. If you notice signs that look like your baby might have torticollis, set up an exam with your doctor.Torticollis from an infection might need antibiotics to get better. If your child has a fever with torticollis, call your doctor.