Did you know that preemies and multiples are intrinsically at a higher risk for plagiocephaly (aka “flat head syndrome”)? To be honest, I certainly didn’t–and born exactly one month before their due date via an unplanned c-section, Amélie and Lucien checked both of those categories. Actually, the thought of one of our little ones being diagnosed with plagiocephaly wasn’t really a blip on my radar at all. In the first few months of them being home, they had tons of tummy time, barely ever sat in a car seat for more than fifteen minutes at a time, and we typically wore them in a wrap or a soft-structured carrier while out: all things pediatricians recommend to lessen the risk of plagiocephaly.
But even with all of this, by month 3.5 we began to notice Amélie’s little head was noticeably flat on one side. Our pediatrician referred us to a consultation at Cranial Technologies, and after a few preliminary visits, the specialist determined Amélie had moderate plagiocephaly and likely needed a cranial orthosis (we have the Doc band) to improve her head’s symmetry.
At first, I felt a bit guilty–is there something else we could’ve done to prevent her from needing the band?? No, the technicians and specialists all assured me, since Amélie is a twin born prematurely who also happened to be Baby A with the pressure of her brother above her, it was no surprise her head was a bit asymmetrical–and no amount of tummy time or babywearing could completely change that.
So for all you other parents out there who suspect your little one might have plagiocephaly, try not to feel too bad! There are multiple factors that can contribute to plagiocephaly–everything from womb position to prematurity to back sleeping (which is recommended to lessen the chance of SIDS). And yes, you can certainly take preventative measures like increased tummy time or incorporating other repositioning techniques…but there’s still no guarantee the issue will be resolved. Long story short, us parents face enough anxiety and guilt in these early months–try not to let this get you down more than you probably already are!
If you are one of those who suspects or have just learned your little one has plagiocephaly, here are a couple of things I’ve encountered/learned at the beginning of our journey with Amélie and her Doc band!
1. Many people have said things like “Aww poor baby” or “That looks like torture” or “Doesn’t that hurt her?” when they first see little Amélie in her band. As if we didn’t already feel some level of guilt (like I said above, even though I know I shouldn’t feel guilty, there’s no denying I do occasionally), these type of comments only make it a million times worse. I’m trying to take my own advice and not let them get to me, and after a couple of weeks I have what has basically become an elevator speech prepared for the inevitable offhand remarks:
- The Doc band weighs less than six ounces and every one is custom-fit! It also isn’t secured in a way that constricts the baby’s head uncomfortably at all–so no, it doesn’t hurt the little one. It definitely doesn’t weigh Amélie down, she’s as much of a little rolly polly as ever–absolutely determined to roll across the entire room until she’s figured out how to crawl!
- Plagiocephaly may not be linked to any lasting neurological issues, but it can cause problems down the line like face asymmetry and jaw misalignment–further linked to problems with glasses and safety equipment not fitting a child or adult properly. (Have this response ready for the condescending “Oh well, a flat head is only cosmetic–you don’t need to put the baby in a helmet.” Well, I know I wouldn’t want to face all of those issues as an adult–and I’m sure my baby won’t either!) /Rant over…kind of.
- If there are ever any issues, Cranial Technologies has been nothing but helpful in offering advice on keeping the band clean, airing it out, etc–and we’ve been going in for weekly check-ins where any necessary adjustments to the band are made based on how Amélie’s head is growing, making it a comfortable experience for her the whole way through!
2. If you begin treatment sooner rather than later, chances are your little one won’t have to wear the band nearly as long! Since Amélie was only 4 months adjusted (5 months old), we’re hoping the time of treatment will be on the lower end. For reference, most treatments fall somewhere between six to sixteen weeks.
3. Be careful decorating your band! There are certain regulations you need to follow when adorning that little crown (as we’ve started referring to it)–like keeping to certain types of paint and such. Stickers and decals are a cool alternative to paint, and there are tons of Etsy shops offering a range of them (to my delight, there are a good number of nerdy options–like Harry Potter themed!), so check it out. I’m not the most talented artist in the world, so decals are more my style–and they stress me out less since there’s no possibility of accidentally getting paint on the interior of the band! For more information on decorating the band, check out the guide by Cranial Tech.
4. The upkeep of the band is very simple so far–wipe any sweat away with a dry towel, clean with 70% isopropyl alcohol, and let dry for an hour while you shampoo your baby! That’s it. We’ve had to leave ours out in the sun once to help with the smell, but I’m so happy with how simple the whole process has been so far.
5. And I’ll end with the best news: after only two weeks, we’re already seeing a remarkable difference in Amélie’s head! So if you’re wondering if the band actually works, I can already see it definitely has for us!
Long story short–so far our journey with the Doc band has been a good one! If you’ve just found out your little one needs a band, don’t fret–the experience is a lot more pleasant and way less scary than we thought!!
And for those of you unfamiliar with plagiocephaly: if you see a family with a baby wearing a cranial orthosis, PLEASE don’t make any comments like the ones I mentioned above. First, they’re untrue–and secondly, they only make an already stressed out parent even more stressed. Even if you mean well, just know they’re absolutely unhelpful. Instead of focusing on how the band looks uncomfortable or whatever other negative remark you’ve concocted, simply comment on how adorable the baby looks, how sweet they seem, or smart they are. And if you must ask about the band or plagiocephaly, ask respectfully! Chances are the parents are happy to talk about their perspective if you don’t make them feel bad about it first.
Are you familiar with plagiocephaly? Comment below with your experiences or words of wisdom for those of us just starting out with the treatment!