Flat Head Syndrome

Mumtrepreneur helps babies with Flat Head Syndrome

A Brisbane mother of two is helping parents treat and correct Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly) in their newborn infants with her unique invention, the Baby Head Rest.

Michele Blanshard, a Registered Nurse and Director of Rose and Lily Australia, produced the Baby Head Rest following her family and friend's experiences with Flat Head Syndrome in their children. Previously, treatment for the condition, if it did not correct itself, was via a fitted helmet that the baby wore for up to 18 hours per day.

Flat Head Syndrome, or Plagiocephaly, occurs in newborns and young babies when the back or sides of the head become flat or mis-shapen due to prolonged pressure from firm surfaces like cot mattresses on the skull while baby is asleep, or on their back. It has been raised as a possible link to developmental delays in a recent Seattle Children's Research Institute study.

'I developed the Baby Head Rest in Australia as a result of the huge increase in Flat Head Syndrome in recent years. It was designed in conjunction with other health-care professionals,' says Michele. 'The delicate round shape of a baby's head is something we take for granted, and sometimes their heads can become flat or develop a flat spot. Before Baby-Head-Rest was developed, there was no real means of preventing Flat Head Syndrome. Also, there was only the helmet for treatment, which is quite traumatic for babies, as it has to be worn almost constantly for a long time.'

Michele has also developed the Australian Plagiocephaly website (www.plagiocephaly.com.au) to provide Australian parents with information about the condition and how to prevent it.

Michele has a range of products in her online store, Rose and Lily, (www.roseandlily.com.au) but this is the first one she has developed herself.

'It was a challenge to make sure that it would work, not endanger the baby, and look attractive in a nursery' says Michele. 'With two children and another on the way, I wanted to make sure that I was able to treat and correct Flat Head Syndrome if it occurred again.'

The Baby Head Rest treats and prevents Flat Head Syndrome in newborns up to 4 months. For more information, visit www.babyheadrest.com or telephone 1300 119 837