Question
A 3.5-month-old baby has a soft head, requiring support from objects or adults to stand up. There is a phenomenon of the tongue sticking out, and the baby often excretes yellow, loose stools, mainly consuming milk. I would like to inquire about the treatment for a soft head. The baby’s feet like to kick around, and sometimes when sleeping at night, the baby assumes an arch shape. The baby responds to external stimuli such as smiling and listening to sounds. The baby also makes sounds as if learning to speak. When toys are placed in the baby’s hand, the baby knows how to pick them up and put them in the mouth. The baby has been to the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed it as developmental delay. Concerned that it might be cretinism or cerebral palsy, I would like to ask whether it is necessary to go to a specialized hospital for further examination, or whether regular physical training is sufficient.
Answer
A soft head in infants may be due to long-term sleeping on one side causing a change in the shape of the skull. Infants’ skulls are soft and can easily deform due to improper sleep positions. It is recommended to let the baby sleep on the left side for a while recently, and then alternate sides after the shape of the head improves. Alternatively, a shaping pillow designed specifically for infants can be used. Adjust the baby’s sleep position after the baby falls asleep and frequently change between left and right sides, paying attention to whether there is light guiding the baby’s head while sleeping. If the baby’s head always faces towards the light, adjust the position of the light. Consider changing the shaping pillow as well to help correct the head shape.