Baby's Head Shape/寶寶的頭型
Why head shape matters?
Is plagiocephaly just cosmetic?
Have you asked yourself those questions as a new parent? Those are common questions that I have been asked by my clients. As a pediatric physical therapy, I am here to say “Yes, babies’ head shape matter.”
Any full-term baby probably born with some minor muscle asymmetries from the womb position and limited space in the womb. Usually, it is very subtle that a parent would not notice. Those muscle asymmetries can contribute to baby turning the head to a preferred side, and that further contributing to increased chance of head flattening.
With so many kinds of baby devices on the market, it makes sense that more babies nowadays spend a lot of time contained. Those devices are more likely worsen muscle asymmetries and limit baby’s ability to move freely. Play unrestricted and play in various positions throughout a day are crucial for plagiocephaly prevention.
Baby’s head shape can tell us a lot about baby’s movements. Movement matters (this is so important so I even name my business after this), so baby’s head shape matters.
- Children learn through movements. Movements provide opportunities for exploration and early learning.
- Decreased movement = decreased sensory experience = less time for strengthening and stretching
- Torticollis can impact vision, posture, balance, and movement.
So head shape is not just about cosmetic. It is so much more!
Watch the video to learn how to check your baby’s head shape. Early detection can minimize the chance of wearing a helmet.
Ps . Baby’s head can be corrected without a helmet is 2-3 months-old. Once baby knows how to roll independently which is around 4-6 month-old, then it will be helmet time. If you need some tips on helping your baby's head shape, you know what to do.....book a 15 min discovery call with me. Don't wait and see!
寶寶頭型長得如何又怎麼樣呢？
矯正頭型只是因為外觀好看嗎？
身為一個新手父母，你是不是曾經問過自己這些問題呢？身為一位兒科物理治療醫師，我常常被家長問到這些問題。而我的答案是….寶寶的頭型很重要，而且藉由寶寶的頭型，可以告訴我們很多關於寶寶的發展。
任何一個足月的嬰兒，多多少少都會有一些肌肉上面的不對稱，因為在媽媽子宮裡的位置和子宮裡的空間很有限。但是這些不對稱是非常非常細微的，細微到通常連醫生們也沒有注意到。但是這些細微的肌肉不對稱，很容易導致寶寶習慣將頭偏向某一邊，時間久了，有可能影響到寶寶的頭型，甚至導致斜頸。
現在市場上有很多不同的嬰兒用品，加上家長忙碌，導致這個年代的新生兒有很多時間都是被放在嬰兒用品裡的。這些嬰兒用品，通常會讓肌肉不對稱更加嚴重，且限制了寶寶的活動。預防寶寶頭型歪掉最重要的兩個因素：1) 身體不受限制地玩/動 2) 一天之中有多種不同的擺放姿勢。
寶寶頭的形狀，可以告訴我們很多關於動作(movement)的習慣和發展。動作很重要，所以頭型很重要。
- 孩子是在動作中學習的 （Children learn through movements. ）。動作提供了探索的機會，更能促進寶寶的學習。
- 減少動作機會＝減少感覺經驗＝漸少肌肉變強壯跟伸展的機會。
- 斜頸會影響到孩子的視覺，姿勢，平衡，和動作。
所以頭型絕對不是只有美不美觀的問題！
請看影片學習如賀自我檢測寶寶的頭型。及早發現，及早干涉，避免需要戴頭盔的可能。
Ps. 在寶寶會翻身前（4-6個月大），要改善寶寶的頭型，只做物理治療不需要戴頭盔的成功率是非常高的！如果需要一些改善頭型的小技巧，我想你應該知道怎麼做.....趕快跟我約15分鐘Discovery call :)
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