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Heads Up!
Infant Sleep Positions and Positional Molding
By Mindy Hudon, M.S.,CCC-SLP
Our pediatrician referred us to a neurosurgeon for further assessment. He diagnosed them with torticollis, an imbalance in the size and strength of the large muscle on either side of the neck. "An infant with torticollis will keep his head turned to the side of the shorter muscle despite any attempts to reposition the head," says Miller.
The neurosurgeon also recommended positional molding helmet therapy. Our twins were then seen at an orthotic clinic and were fitted for helmets. "Helmets are custom made for a baby's head to be in contact with the scalp in all areas, except for the areas that are flattened," says Miller. "As the child grows, the helmet keeps pressure off the flat side of the head and promotes growth on the flattened side."
Helmet therapy is usually recommended if positional molding is severe or if it is diagnosed by 6 months of age. "Even a helmet, though, cannot always remold a child's head perfectly," says Miller. "The best remedy is to rotate a child's sleeping position from birth to prevent positional molding from developing."
Our twins wore the helmet 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the time they were 5 months old until 11 months old. They didn't even realize they were wearing them! The only time they didn't wear them was at mealtime or when they were taking a bath. To ensure progress, we had frequent visits to the orthotic clinic for helmet readjustments. The whole experience was very enlightening for me. My twins required treatment for something that I knew nothing about – that was preventable!
The six months of helmet therapy were very challenging for us as a family, but well worth the effort. Today our twins are 4 years old and have beautiful, well-shaped heads. They're handsome – both coming and going!
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