Argh, did an epic post on plagiocephaly and then mumsnet logged me out and I lost the post! Fuming!
Right then, start again.
Plagiocephaly is a lot more common nowadays since Mums were advised to have babies sleep on their backs. When we were babies most of us were allowed to sleep on our tummies and spent the days on our backs to play. Now babies are on their backs to sleep and backs to play during the day. All of this and the effect of gravity on their soft skulls takes it's toll and head shapes start to change.
Things like car seats are also culprits as some babies are carried in them, go into the car, then it's a pram, then it's back to being carried in it, then if baby is sleeping when they get home then some tend to stay in it to not be disturbed. Some babies could have spent hours in the same position in the seat (just an example of what I've seen and treated, not an accusation!!!) Car seats are ace but just be wary of how long they spend in it on a regular basis.
To treat it/prevent it try to vary the position that baby is in throughout the day so they are not on their backs for long periods e.g. over an hour. Change their position in the room in the bouncer so they have to turn different ways to follow the source of vision/sound. Tummy time when supervised and awake for however long they can manage (even if it's just 30 seconds, every little helps!) All you are doing is preventing pressure on one part of the skull for long periods and building the strength in their head control so that soon they'll be able to move themselves out of position.
Tummy time doesn't have to be flat on floor. Can be on your chest, over cushions, rolled up towel/blanket under chest and arms etc.
Great Ormond Street do a good leaflet that I give out to my patient's parents:
www.gosh.nhs.uk/medical-conditions/search-for-medical-conditions/plagiocephaly/plagiocephaly-information/?__utma=1.1672181312.1354012612.1354012612.1354012612.1&__utmb=1.2.9.1354012619759&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1354012612.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=plagiocephaly%20gosh%20leaflet&__utmv=-&__utmk=235396353
The leaflet link is on the right side of the page.
There is no convincing evidence so far that helmets are any better than the above advice. The only positive research results have come from the rather biassed companies that make the helmets. The NHS don't fund them (due to lack of evidence), they cost around £2000 per helmet, have to be worn 23 hours a day and you would have to buy more as your child and their skull grows. I would never recommend a parent breaks the bank for a treatment that is overpriced and not even proven to work better than simple methods! It's a shame that private practitioners seem to recommend them.
Phew! Hopefully this'll post now...