Today I will tell you about one thing important reception caring for a baby, a clear description of which I could not find on the Internet. This is a facial massage for a newborn. It is indicated for every baby. You can do it without any special skills. The purpose of the massage is to correct natural asymmetry through training the weak facial muscles. The maximum effect is achieved if you start it immediately after birth and practice it daily in the first month of life.
For clarity, I will show you two photographs. The first shows a baby at the beginning of life, and this is not the worst case, but we cannot help but notice the asymmetry of the face. It is caused by the fact that the muscles on the right side of the face are in good shape (a consequence of the intrauterine position in the last stage of pregnancy). The right eye appears swollen or squinted, the right half of the mouth is pulled upward in a slight grin. This facial expression does not in the least reflect the child’s state: post-nausea, pre-sleep, relaxed contemplation. 
newborn facial massage
If you neglect facial massage in early infancy, you may never give your child the talent to convey his experiences and impressions through facial expressions. The grimace on his face will depend on the initial asymmetry. And, unfortunately, more from her than from him own efforts on mastering facial expressions. The fact is that our body and face have muscle memory. We don't think when we walk or smile. Therefore, it is so important to get the child’s muscles in order before starting active use and forming a muscle habit. The active development of a baby’s facial expressions begins in the second month of life, which means facial massage should begin earlier. And continue until the effect is achieved.
Newborn facial massage
Doll face after three monthsMassage of the muscles of the body and limbs in the first year is given great importance, it is also used in medicinal purposes and for general development. The massage therapist determines the asymmetry of the baby’s body at one glance (muscles on one side of the body that are more trained in “toned” movements and flaccid, weak muscles where there was no room for exercise). To correct the intrauterine installation, a simple technique is used: on the weaker side, the exercises are repeated two to three times more than on the stronger side. For example, for strong hand three exercises, for the weak six.
We will use the same training method for facial massage. Mom's hands should be clean and warm. The most comfortable position in early age for all manipulations with the baby: facing you in the hole on your knees. Perform a massage after feeding, when the baby has worked hard and is happy. If you perform it after each daily feeding, then we will achieve six repetitions per day, then that’s what we need!
The main technique of this massage is stroking. It is performed with three fingers pressed tightly together: the index, middle and ring fingers. Run your fingers over your face several times, achieve the most pleasant touch and remember it. Touch your baby's face in the same way, without pressing or vibrating. Strong impacts are acceptable on the body, but not on the delicate face.
Perform the massage simultaneously with both hands. Look at a baby's face: the side where the eye appears smaller is strong. Here you will do less strokes than with the opposite one. Determine the proportion of touches yourself: 2 and 6, or 3 and 6, depending on the degree of asymmetry.
First, stroke the baby along the hairline from the center of the forehead to the temples. Let’s add a folk proverb to this massage and we’ll get our first developmental lesson. When stroking the hair roots we say: “The forest is thick.”
The next massage area is the forehead. We draw in the middle between the hairline and eyebrows, also from the center to the temples, with the words: “The field is clear.”
Very important eyebrow muscles. The growth lines of the eyebrows themselves are different, and if the muscles also move each in their own way, then the person turns into a two-faced person: surprised on the right, frowning on the left. We stroke the eyebrows from the bridge of the nose to the temples and call it: “Two poplars.”
Then the eyes. We iron the fold that starts in the corner of the eye and runs to the cheekbones: “Two windows.” Did not you forget, weak side ironing two to three times longer than strong?
Now the wings of the nose. From the bridge of the nose to the nasolabial triangle: “Rinpump”.
Now the folds of the nasolabial triangle from the wings of the nose to the corners of the lips, with strengths two or three times, with a weak six: “Babble.”
If your baby's upper lip is constantly parted and pulled up towards the nose, smooth it with the edge index finger central dimple from nose to lip. This movement is unpaired, do it two or three times.
With our index fingers we lift the corners of our lips, to do this we stroke the muscles under lower lip from the center to the edges, lingering slightly on the corner and emphasizing its elevated position: “Laughter.” Don't forget about the number of repetitions rule.
We finish the massage by stroking the neck. The side on which the baby’s head always leans is well trained, therefore we stimulate the muscles of the opposite side with our gentle strokes. The direction of movement is from the skull to the shoulders.
Well, if you want to fight the asymmetry of your own face, then use the same remedy as often as you want! Be beautiful!
Minor facial asymmetry is present in every person, small children are no exception.
Research shows that such disproportion is considered more pleasing than the symmetry of a person's face.
With natural asymmetry, the difference between the sides is invisible to the naked eye. In the first days, mothers spend a long time looking at their baby.
And noticed differences in the sides of the baby's face can cause some concern. In this case, it is best to consult a doctor to exclude the possibility of pathological facial disproportion.
The natural asymmetry of a child's face can be detected in a slight difference in the size of the eyes, just above the set eyebrow.
Scientists have proven that normally the difference between the sides of the face should not exceed 2–3 mm or 3–5 degrees. Usually, left-hand side more feminine, features are smoothed and elongated vertically.
The right side is wider, with defined features and is considered more masculine.
Therefore, such a slight disproportion should not cause concern for mommy. In children under one year of age, mild asymmetry is considered normal.
If facial disproportion is clearly noticeable, it also manifests itself in calm state, is expressed in the difference in eyebrow placement, eye size, noticeable difference in muscle tone, sagging of one side of the face, then this is considered pathological change. It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor to find out the cause and prescribe adequate treatment.
Main reasons for asymmetry
IN modern world scientists identify more than 20 causes of facial asymmetry. But all of them can be divided into two groups: congenital and acquired.
Congenital include:
- uneven development of the facial bones of the skull resulting from intrauterine trauma. In newborns, facial disproportion can be caused by malpresentation or entanglement of the umbilical cord;
- spasmodic contractions of facial muscles;
- facial nerve injury caused by compression of obstetric forceps;
- breech or transverse presentation and subsequent passage of the birth canal. At the same time, the child’s head is strongly compressed, and lower jaw deformed;
- damage temporal bone when passing through the birth canal;
- Epilepsy – quite often causes facial asymmetry in newborns. The problem is identified due to the fact that the child cannot yet talk about his condition, and convulsions can easily be mistaken for poorly coordinated movements typical of infants. Seizures can result from brain damage during childbirth, hemorrhages and strokes. In epilepsy, asymmetry is expressed in greater smoothness of one nasolabial fold, wider opening of one eye relative to the other.
Acquired causes of asymmetry in children at an early age include. You can detect this pathology yourself. With this disease, the baby's body is tilted to one side. This is a pathology of bones and soft tissues, usually manifesting itself 2–3 weeks after birth. This disease is not so common; girls are more susceptible to it than boys.
Torticollis in a baby
The causes of torticollis can be an injury to the sternocleidomastoid muscle during childbirth, as a result of which the muscle tissue is replaced by scar tissue, giving the baby’s head a tilt to one side. Another cause of torticollis may be an intrauterine infection or an insufficiently convenient position of the fetus in the uterus.
IN postpartum period Torticollis may occur due to the fact that toys were hung in a crib or stroller on only one side. And the child had to constantly keep his head in one position, which caused deformation of the muscles of the face and neck.
Also acquired causes of facial disproportion include birth injuries. The causes of such injuries are considered to be the negligent actions of midwives, as well as illnesses during pregnancy. Reasons include delaying the term, too large a fetus, intrauterine hypoxia, a narrow pelvis of the woman in labor, or an abnormal labor process (too fast or protracted labor).
Birth injuries can damage the facial nerve, which in turn can lead to facial asymmetry.
Acquired causes include injuries to the jaw and facial bones, inflammation of the nerve processes, malocclusion, and the absence of one or more teeth (in older children).
How to deal with asymmetry?
The choice of treatment depends on the cause of the disease.
If the reason is low tone, then good effect gives facial gymnastics, myostimulation and massage.
Facial nerve injury is treated in a hospital setting through physiotherapy, electromyography and myostimulation
For more severe pathology, methods such as:
- orthodontic treatment;
- jaw surgery;
- plastic surgery.
For birth trauma or epilepsy, treatment is always individualized. With epilepsy, facial asymmetry is not the biggest concern of parents. Prescribed to stop seizures drug treatment, but physical therapy helps to remove asymmetry quite well. Birth injuries can be cured by massaging your baby's face.
If the cause is torticollis, then the child is prescribed special medications, physiotherapy (electrophoresis) and mandatory massage courses. In addition, at home, proper positioning of the child helps a lot - you need to place the child with the healthy side against the wall. Due to curiosity, the baby will want to see what is happening around him and will turn his head in the opposite direction, thereby stretching the brevis muscle.
Pediatricians advise making a special retainer for the baby’s head - a donut made of sterile cotton wool and a bandage. You can also place bags of cereal on both sides of the baby's head. It is worth fixing the head in this position for 2 hours a day.
In some cases, a Shants collar is used to correct torticollis. Massage helps a lot and physiotherapy.
Newborn facial massage
The purpose of the massage is to stimulate the neuromuscular fibers, as a result of which they should grow and change their configuration, smoothing out the pathology.
Before you begin the massage, you should remember that it should only be done with clean hands on previously cleansed skin.
It is also necessary to use a special massage cream or gel so as not to damage delicate skin baby. Regular baby fat cream will also work.
Movements should be light, stroking. It is necessary to massage over the entire surface of the face, focusing on the problem area.
By general rules, you should start with stroking movements, then you need to use light rubbing movements in order to warm up the muscles. The next set of actions are stretching movements with gentle pressure. The massage should also be completed with stroking.
All movements are made along massage lines, from the center to the periphery.
It is always worth remembering that actions should be careful and associated with pleasure and positive emotions, without causing pain.
The massage begins from the hairline, from the forehead to the temples. And gradually goes down. After repeating the movements 5-7 times, you can move to the forehead.
Using gentle stretching movements, run your fingers between the eyebrows and hairline towards the temples.
It is worth carefully working on the eyebrows, applying light pressure from the bridge of the nose to the temporal area.
Using the same stretching movements with gentle pressure, you need to go over all other areas: nose, cheeks, dimple above the lip. The massage ends with stroking movements of the neck.
Disproportion of a baby's face can be a completely natural phenomenon and go away on its own by the end of the first year. But it can also be a sign of a serious neurological disease, which should be treated as quickly as possible. This means that parents must consult a specialist as soon as they notice even minor changes in the appearance of their child.
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Ayay!!! I started to notice a slight asymmetry in the baby! one eye seems to be open wider.
Well, in general, one side of the face is a little larger.
I was at the clinic today - as planned. I went to the ophthalmologist.. They said that they don’t see anything like that..
But my grandfather and I see that it is present. Perhaps kids outgrow this. I won't worry too much.
But still interesting.., what do you say?? Who has any observations, children are born, then grow up - what changes occur?!?!?!?!?
Don’t worry so much - we had the same thing: it seemed that one eye was somehow larger or wider open than the other, and the forehead on one side seemed to be more convex than on the other side. I also asked our pediatrician everything about what it was and how to fix it - my doctor is good, she calmed me down, said that everything is fine - in principle, everyone has a slight asymmetry (note that someone may have one ear a little larger than second, or people have ears that are not identical in shape at all), and besides, children grow up and this becomes unnoticeable. I’m looking at my daughter now (she’s 2 years old now) and I’m surprised where I saw what - everything went away on its own, both her eyes and her forehead - everything looks great. And about the ears - just with age, one ear has somehow changed a little - it “sticks out” a little (although she was born with both ears firmly pressed to the head) and has become a little larger than the second But it’s so cute and noticeable It’s only for us, the parents, that we don’t worry about it.
How many months is your baby?
My eldest daughter, when she was 2-3 months old. At the appointment, the doctor laid it out on her tummy and showed the curvature - asymmetry. Polina raised her head and it immediately became clear that her face was uneven, her cheeks were different, etc. This is a common procedure at the pediatrician. The problem was that the head was bent because... The baby liked to sleep with her head turned only in one direction. It was recommended to monitor the position of the head, turn in the other direction, different tips they gave me a referral to a physiotherapist...
Try to lay it on your tummy and, moving away, you will be able to better see what’s wrong (the baby should raise his head and look in your direction). Check yourself to see if the head is level.
baby 3 months old When she was born, a dent and wrinkles were visible on her forehead on one side than on the other side. And now you can see that the eyes are wider)) and the cheeks are different. Although I always put it on different sides. Whichever breast I feed, he falls asleep, so I put him in the crib. Etc…
The doctor today, unfortunately, lost her nerve!!! like - even if something is uneven, then nothing can be done!!!
Maybe it will even out later!!! I will hope.
Now I put it on my stomach... I walked away and looked. Well, there is.. the cheek hangs down more on one side... I’ll think about what to do.. maybe someone can tell me.
But no!!! Well, it’s not scary! We will still be beautiful!
In general, as far as I understand, a lot depends on the position the baby was in the womb and how the birth took place. My eldest was a changeling, i.e. I was sitting with my head and ribs. The doctor said that this also affected the curvature. But in babies the skull bones are not fused, so you can try to fix everything before the fontanel fused. The advice is the same as what you are doing - turn the head, monitor the position, hang toys or something interesting in the crib on the other side (to make it interesting to turn the head), place it in the crib so that it turns to look at you, talk to that the side he doesn’t use... We now also have a 2-month-old baby, so we’ve also already noticed the curvature - he also likes to sleep on one side. This really happens to all children, but my head is a little uneven. Oh, my baby is crying... I’ll add more later
With my eldest it was like this: because. changeling, then born with the help caesarean section. We didn’t even think that the head was uneven (it’s not so noticeable when the baby is lying down). Since the head is uneven, it is more convenient for them to place it on the side where it rolls, and over time everything only gets worse. At our appointment, the pediatrician did not panic about this, but said the following words: “She is still a girl, let’s go to a physiotherapist for a massage or a special one.” The helmet can be ordered.” Seems like a doctor's appointment at 2 months. was. We walked for 2 months. massage, but then they decided that they needed a helmet. We live in the USA, so I don’t know if they do this here in Russia. At the time of ordering the helmet, we were 4 months old, and the curvature of the head in the form of a parallelogram was 1.5 cm. On one side the forehead hung down, and on the other the cheek was visible, the ears were in different positions. The helmet was made according to head measurements, and was worn for 4-5 months, I don’t remember exactly. Had to be worn 23 hours a day. At the time of getting rid of it, the curvature remained half a centimeter. The doctor said that my daughter will grow and everything should smooth out over time. Everyone has a curvature and 0.5 cm is considered normal. Now we are almost 4 years old and no one notices anything. We know this, that’s why when we look closely, it seems that we see something, but we still have to grow and grow. So don’t worry too much, constantly monitor the position of the head. Over time, everything should also smooth out. And your daughter will definitely be a beauty!
We went to a neurologist. He said that there were no serious violations. It may go away on its own by 6 months. But it won’t hurt to have a massage, general and neck. Yes, I agreed. Let's go now on Wednesday and see what they will do.
By the way, on the day we went to the neurologist, it began to seem to me that the difference between the cheeks and eyes was less visible.
We have almost the same situation, one eye is more open than the other, as if the lower eyelid was drooping. At first, the neurologist said that it would go away by three months. But nothing went away. We came to see them at 3 months, having looked, They said that it might remain as a physiological feature. The ophthalmologist said the same thing - the main thing is that it does not interfere with vision. Then I also started rummaging on the Internet, looking for advice on how to fix it all. Unfortunately, it turned out that only by surgical method. Or by measuring. BUT!!! Luckily for us, by the age of four months there was practically no visible difference in Anechka’s eyes!!! Now everything is fine, well, only if it’s just a little noticeable, and only me, even dad doesn’t notice it!!! I believe that everything has its time!! !
I registered specifically to leave a review. So, when I was little (I’m 25 now), my parents noticed the asymmetry of my face - the right side is larger than the left (noticeably). They took me to the doctor, who said that there was no need to do anything, saying that it was small and would outgrow it.
Then, at the age of 15, I began to notice that the right side was noticeably larger than the left, and my friends also noticed. But somehow I didn’t pay attention to it (since I started doing modeling and participating in beauty contests), supposedly I’m already beautiful), but with age it began to turn into a complex and disharmony, I do my hair in such a way that I cover it with my hair. right side and now I'm thinking about plastic surgery.
And I ask you not to take this lightly, since it is better to cure the child while he is still young, and not so that he later has a complex and does not have to undergo plastic surgery!
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As you know, the first thing a person pays attention to when meeting another person is their face. At the same time, they do not notice the asymmetry of the face, which everyone has, that is, this is the difference in shapes, sizes and distances of one half from the other. Facial asymmetry is considered individual feature external characteristics of a person. In nature, there are no identical faces in terms of asymmetry.
Root causes of facial asymmetry
From large quantity manifestations of the facial skull, which also includes osteochondral structures; the nose is considered the most important aesthetic and cosmetic formation. Its sizes and shapes not only determine this aesthetics, but are also considered to be the main ones in the formation of asymmetry. Of course, if you look very carefully, differences and unevenness in the contours of the eyebrows, the depth of the nasolabial folds, as well as in different shapes of the corners of the mouth, the position of the wings of the nose, in different shapes and sizes can be expressed ears and so on.
Correction of facial asymmetry is not considered necessary.
The absence of ideal asymmetry not only in the face, but also in other parts of the body and skeleton is mainly determined by personal morphological and anatomical features development, as various kinds of reasons that manifest themselves throughout life path, and innate in nature.
Externally, a violation of facial asymmetry is almost invisible, and occurs in absolutely all people. Deviations in proportions that range from three to five degrees or from two to three millimeters are the physiological norm.
The approach to deciding whether facial asymmetry needs to be eliminated is greatly influenced by the diagnosis of the causes.
Facial asymmetry groups
Due to the nature of the causes, absolutely all asymmetrical conditions are classified into three huge groups:
- Acquired;
- Combined;
- Congenital.
Congenital
It is caused by anomalies that are mainly associated with genetic predisposition, or disorders of a different nature that formed during the intrauterine formation of the fetus.
This may include:
Acquired
If facial asymmetry formed after birth, then this defect is considered acquired.
The main causes of acquired facial asymmetry are:
Combined
In this case, neurological pathology is considered the main one and is represented by a huge number of problems that can lead to facial expression disorders.
This includes:
Neuroscience is trying to look at the causes of facial asymmetry. Its final conclusions are taken into account in cases where a cosmetologist or plastic surgeon needs to choose treatment for facial asymmetry.
Neuroscience's relationship to asymmetry
If we talk about the disease from the neurological point of view, facial asymmetry is primarily revealed by a lack of symmetry in the cerebral hemispheres. Each of the large hemispheres carries out microregulation of sensations (that is, sensory), as well as motor skills of the corresponding halves of the body, in different ways. At the same moment, the acceptance by one person of the facial expressions of another also depends on the degree of reaction between the hemispheres of a particular person.
Neuroscience as a science considers the problem of facial asymmetry as a personal perception by the observer.
In other words, one person’s conclusion about asymmetry can be erroneous, while another person, due to the peculiarities of the interaction of the hemispheres, can come to the opposite conclusion.
That is why in neurology the following types of facial asymmetry are distinguished, which should also be accepted in plastic surgery and cosmetology when finalizing the issue of correcting facial asymmetry.
Morphological or static type
This type of asymmetry disorder is characterized by the presence of differences in the resting state by other elements in structure, proportions, shapes and sizes. The reasons for all these differences mainly lie in personal developmental properties, diseases of the facial and masticatory muscles, the consequences of the disease and traumatic injuries, and pathology of the bones of the facial skull.
Functional (dynamic) type
It mainly consists of asynchronous contractions of the facial muscles and those formed during facial expressions. For example, an asymmetry that was absent at rest or simply a slight disproportion at rest is formed or seriously intensified when the lips are stretched out with a tube or a smile. The dynamic form of facial asymmetry is associated with acquired or congenital pathology of the facial muscles, residual effects lesions of the facial central nerve or peripheral ones in the form of Bell's palsy. With all this, the severity of asymmetry depends on the degree of damage to the facial nerve.
Correcting asymmetry
Therapy for this pathology is based on the causes, as well as establishing the degree and type pathological condition and prescribing treatment for the corresponding pathology in combination with the use of neurotrophic methods.
Since most common cause Facial nerve neuropathy is considered, the main principles of treatment are:
In addition, in almost all cases, special gymnastics exercises against facial asymmetry can be used, as well as electrical stimulation sessions, unless of course you have contraindications to its implementation.
Bolulotoxin injections
Various types of botulinum toxin preparations can be used for botulinum therapy:
- Dysport.
- Botox
- Lantox.
In case of paresis and paralysis, correction with these means is done on the healthy half of the face, because it is there that increased muscle tone is formed.
In the case of the presence of muscle contractures, synkinesis and hyperkinesis, injections are given to the dependent muscles. Often, such therapy can rehabilitate facial asymmetry without surgery within four to six months.
Dermal gels
At the next stage, the volume of soft tissues is adjusted and contour plastic surgery through the use of hyaluronic acid fillers.
All medications included in the comprehensive therapy can make it possible to achieve high aesthetic and functional results in patients with long-term and severe forms of paralysis of the facial muscles.
Preparations of stabilized hyaluronic acid can not only remove the disproportion of areas and rehabilitate the aesthetic condition, but also have an excellent effect by improving microcirculation and trophic processes in tissues.
Thread lifting and surgical treatment
In such cases, when facial asymmetry is characterized by serious severity in the amount of more than five centimeters, surgical correction is necessary, because conservative treatment methods will not help.
At the same time, with paresis, in the presence of certain concomitant diseases, local defects of the terminal sections or the 1st branch of the facial nerve, or the patient’s refusal surgical intervention correction is possible using minimally invasive thread lifting, that is, lifting.
Basically, thread lifting is done in combination with botulinum therapy, and correction after surgery with stabilized hyaluronic acid fillers or during lipofilling surgery, that is, autologous fat.
The combination of all these methods can significantly improve the patient’s condition, significantly increase his quality of life and facilitate the so-called social adaptation.
Gymnastics for facial asymmetry
There are different exercises, here are the main ones:
Immediately after your baby is born, his head will be slightly deformed. It can even frighten mothers who did not take the time to read specialized literature before giving birth. There is no need to be afraid: during the passage of the birth canal, the bones, which are connected by soft cartilage, folded like a bud to make it easier for the child to be born. As a rule, the head becomes round a few days after birth. But if the baby has an asymmetrical face, this is a reason to visit a specialist. Let's try to figure out why facial asymmetry occurs in a newborn and what to do about it.
Natural asymmetry
It is not surprising that young mothers who have recently returned from the maternity hospital can spend hours looking at their baby. Very often they notice that the child's face is slightly asymmetrical. One eye is slightly larger than the other right eyebrow raised above the left... Should such symptoms be alarming? The answer to this question will be negative. Every person's face has slight natural asymmetry. Scientists have even proven that completely symmetrical faces are perceived as less attractive and even repulsive. Therefore, a slight asymmetry, which can only be noticed upon careful examination of the baby, should not cause alarm.
Noticeable asymmetry that catches the eye is a reason to visit a specialist
Main reasons for asymmetry
The main causes of facial asymmetry in newborns include:
- uneven development of the bones of the facial skull caused by intrauterine trauma. In a baby, asymmetry can be caused by incorrect presentation, entanglement in the umbilical cord, etc.;
- muscular dystonia, that is, a change in the tone of facial muscles;
- damage to the facial nerve that was caused by compression obstetric forceps;
- passage of the birth canal in a breech or transverse presentation. In this case, during childbirth, the head is flattened too much, and the lower jaw is subject to deformation;
- fractures of the temporal bone during the passage of the birth canal;
- epilepsy. This disease often causes facial asymmetry in newborns. At the same time, diagnosing epilepsy is quite difficult: for this you need to find an experienced specialist.
Often the cause of asymmetry is a disease such as torticollis. It is not difficult to notice this pathology and distinguish it from others: with torticollis, the entire body of the baby is bent in one direction. Unfortunately, if treatment for torticollis is not started in time, the muscles will become fixed in a deformed state, that is, the location of the facial tissues will change. As a result, one eye remains slightly dilated, the corners of the mouth shift, and the mouth itself becomes distorted.
Below, the reasons why facial asymmetry occurs in a newborn will be discussed in more detail.
Epilepsy of newborns
Epilepsy in newborns, which can cause the development of facial asymmetry, is quite difficult to diagnose. After all, the baby is not yet able to communicate about its condition, and a convulsive seizure can easily be confused with uncoordinated movements characteristic of any infant.
Seizures in a child can develop due to local brain damage during childbirth, hemorrhages and even strokes. Epilepsy also affects the symmetry of a child’s face. For example, you may notice that one nasolabial fold is smoother than the other, one eye opens wider than the other, etc.
Torticollis: manifestations and treatment
In children, torticollis, which is congenital pathology soft and bone tissues, usually appears two to three weeks after birth. Torticollis occurs in approximately 2% of children, and girls suffer from this disease much more often than boys.
The main reason torticollis is a pathology of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which for some reason loses elasticity
During childbirth, the sternocleidomastoid muscle is injured during the passage of the birth canal, resulting in muscle tissue a scar is formed that holds the baby's head in a certain position.
Pathology of the sternocleidomastoid muscle can occur due to intrauterine infection or due to the fact that the child is awkwardly positioned in the uterus. Torticollis can also develop due to entanglement in the umbilical cord or during breech presentation.
Torticollis can form due to the fact that parents hang toys on only one side of the crib. The baby is forced to constantly keep his head in one position, as a result of which the muscles of the neck and face are deformed.
Birth injuries
Unfortunately, they often become the reason that forces young parents to treat their baby for a long time after he is born.
The causes of birth trauma can be not only the inept actions of midwives, but also a number of other factors, for example, too narrow a pelvis, illness of the pregnant woman, post-term pregnancy. Also, birth injuries are caused by breech presentation of the fetus and its too much large sizes, intrauterine hypoxia, abnormal labor activity(labor too fast or too long), etc.
The reason why facial asymmetry develops in a newborn is usually the incorrect use of obstetric instruments, for example, forceps, a vacuum extractor and others.
Birth trauma can result in damage facial nerves, which causes the asymmetry. This is a serious complication that can remain with the child for a very long time, so you should immediately contact a doctor with such a problem.
How to deal with asymmetry?
Treatment for facial asymmetry in a newborn depends on what factor caused this manifestation.
For torticollis, the child is shown special drugs, as well as regular massage sessions and electrophoresis. Good result gives the correct positioning of the child. In particular, the child should lie with his healthy side against the wall. The baby will want to look at what is happening in the room and will try to turn its head in the opposite direction, which will stretch the brevis muscle.
For torticollis, pediatricians recommend using a special donut instead of a pillow, which you can make yourself from sterile bandages and cotton wool. You can also place bags of cereal on both sides of the head. The child should be kept in this position for 2 hours every day.
Wearing a torticollis, which is a foam rubber structure with a recess for the chin, helps correct torticollis.
Excellent results Massage and physical therapy help to achieve torticollis.
After the sternocleidomastoid muscle stretches, the asymmetry of the newborn’s face will also disappear. It is important to start treatment as early as possible, otherwise irreversible changes may occur in the facial muscles
For epilepsy and birth trauma, treatment is prescribed individually. As a rule, if the baby is suffering epileptic seizures, the asymmetry of his face is one of the least problems of parents. To relieve seizures, special medications are prescribed, and modern physiotherapy helps achieve good results. Birth injuries that lead to facial asymmetry can be corrected with regular massage of the baby's face. How to perform this massage? You will learn about this in the next section.
Massage of a newborn's face
An experienced massage therapist can easily determine the asymmetry of a baby’s face: on one side the muscles are always more trained, on the other they are sluggish and relaxed. On the side on which the muscles are weaker, the exercises should be repeated three times more than on the “stronger” side. Usually on the more “trained” side the eyes are slightly smaller in size. This means that on this side the impact will be less.
Hands should be washed before massage warm water and wipe dry. The child should be placed on your lap. Massage should be performed after the child has eaten a hearty meal.
The main technique of facial massage for newborns is gentle stroking, which is performed with three fingers pressed tightly together. When touching, do not put too much pressure on your fingers: the baby should experience pleasure from the touch. In addition, it is very important not to damage the baby’s delicate skin.
First you need to make stroking movements along the hairline from the forehead to the temples. After making 5-7 movements, you can move to the forehead, running your fingers between the hairline and eyebrows towards the temporal zone.
Special attention should be given to eyebrows. Eyebrows should be stroked with light pressure, moving from the bridge of the nose to the temples.
In the same way, you need to “treat” all areas of the face: the wings of the nose, the cheeks, the dimple above upper lip. You need to finish the massage by lightly stroking the baby’s neck.
Facial asymmetry in a newborn may be a completely normal individual sign, or it may indicate the presence of a fairly serious neurological disease that requires urgent treatment. Therefore, you should definitely talk to your pediatrician and discuss your concerns with him.
