Answering questions about soft spots, helmets and the shape of babies’ heads

How does the size of a baby’s head relate to brain function and development? What causes a baby’s head to get misshapen (flattened, pointy, asymmetrical)? When is a helmet a good idea?

I recently had the opportunity, along with my colleague Sean Lew, MD, to participate in a Facebook Live chat where we answered these questions and more. Watch the video above to check it out.

A baby’s skull is softer than an adults and thickens with age. It’s important that this growth process develops normally to ensure there aren’t problems later on. Sometimes it’s an external force — for instance, sleeping position — that causes a baby’s skull to be misshapen, or it can be a medical condition such as craniosynostosis.

As a parent, it can be alarming to notice that your child’s head doesn’t look “normal.” Sometimes it’s just something that time will take care of on its own, while other times medical treatment is needed. We were happy to have this time to address some of the most common questions parents bring to us, and encourage you to talk to your pediatrician if you have additional questions.

John Jensen, MD Plastic Surgeon Children’s Wisconsin

Children's Wisconsin is one of the region's top destinations for the care of newborns and fetuses with complex medical and surgical needs, before or after birth. The Fetal Concerns Center offers comprehensive care coordination for families and work in partnership with the providers who offer a variety of fetal interventions. We have Wisconsin's largest level IV NICU and care for the region's high-risk newborns. Our comprehensive program is nationally recognized for our interdisciplinary approach, physician expertise and consistently high measures in safety, quality and outcomes.