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 kids still don’t respond to treatment, pediatricians refer them to the eye doctor for a visual exam. Some babies may tilt their heads to see better because their eyes are crossed, a condition called strabismus . 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. Your baby works hard to turn toward you, struggles to turn their head all the way, and becomes upset because the movement is hard. If your baby has the condition at birth, it’s called congenital muscular torticollis. That’s the most common type.

Pillows are not safe for babies. You should avoid using a pillow when laying your baby down for a rest, as it can increase the risk of sudden death during infancy. Experts recommend that parents wait to introduce their baby to a pillow until they're over two years old. At this age, the toddler is no longer sleeping in a crib, and they can fully move and flip over without help.There can be a number of reasons why adults get Torticollis, but the cause in babies is it not always very clear. Most paediatric experts believe it is due to the position the baby has been lying within the uterus, or due to the birth process itself. 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. Preemies are at greater risk of plagiocephaly because their skull bones are even less developed, and they are often tied in one position to a ventilator.

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. Offer pain medicines like ibuprofen. If there is any muscle irritation, these can help heal the muscle as well as stop the pain. 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.I can strongly recommend a SleepCurve mattress to support your baby’s head and minimise the likelihood of Plagiocephaly. Vary your baby's crib position. Take note of how you lay your baby down in the crib. Always position your baby in the right way to encourage turning the head to the side that has not flattened.