What is Container Baby Syndrome?
Container baby syndrome (CBS) is a collection of movement, behavior, and other problems caused by a baby or infant spending too much time in a “container,” any commonly-used piece of baby equipment that resembles a container, including:
- Car seats
- Strollers
- Bumbo seats
- Bouncy swings
- Rockers
- Bouncer seats
- Nursing cushions
- Vibrating chairs
These forms of baby support and transportation are used to keep the baby safe from accidents, allow parents to more easily transport the baby, and give the baby play time. However, this equipment also acts as a container, immobilizing the baby in 1 position on the baby’s back. Spending a lot of time lying on the back in the container allows little to no movement of the baby’s neck, spine, or body.
While some parents believe that leaving the baby in the container or equipment is safer, more convenient, and enjoyable for the baby, this kind of immobilization can actually cause delayed development of common skills, like rolling, crawling, and walking. Staying in the container for a prolonged time and over days and weeks can even cause severe, possibly lifelong problems, such as:
- Head and face deformities, including “flat head syndrome”
- Decreased muscle strength and coordination
- Speech, sight, hearing, and thinking problems
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Obesity
Background
In 1992, new guidelines were promoted to parents to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which was thought to be caused by infants sleeping on their stomachs with soft materials around them that could block their breathing and cause the infant to suffocate. The phrase “Back to Sleep” was coined to help parents remember to clear the crib of soft blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys, and place the baby on its back to sleep, all of which was intended to keep the baby’s airway free of obstacles.
Although SIDS has decreased by 50% since the guidelines were introduced, reports of CBS rose to 1 in 7 children by 2008; some researchers say incidents of CBS increased 600% in just the years 1992 to 2008.
Difficulties with skills that develop during the first few years of life, such as crawling, rolling, sitting, running, and speaking are referred to as “developmental delays.” The number of children with mild developmental delays thought to be associated with spending more time on their backs and less time on their stomachs (called Tummy Time), has increased since the early 1990s when the anti-SIDS campaign began.
Many parents mistakenly extend the “Back to Sleep” approach throughout the day, using containers to keep their babies in the “right” position, whether sleeping or awake. These parents fear that the SIDS risk exists when the baby is awake. Other parents find that keeping the baby in a container for much of the day is convenient, and seems restful for the baby. Because of this positioning, the baby spends less time lying on its tummy, sitting up on its own, and holding its own head up (as it does when it’s being held by a person). As a result, movement skills are not developed by the baby. The constant pressure on the back of the head while in a container can also lead to a skull deformity called “flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, depending on where the head is flattened).
A baby who has been fully supported in a container most of the day, may express unhappiness by crying when finally put on its tummy for play because this position requires more work by the baby. Many parents mistakenly think the crying means the tummy position is not good, so they place the baby back in the container.
However, work and play in the tummy position strengthens muscles and fosters the development of movements and coordination. And the head movements allowed in a tummy position will maintain the rounded skull shape of a typical baby.
Physical therapists strongly caution parents that an active, early approach to preventing and correcting the deformities and muscle problems caused by container baby syndrome is necessary to avoid lifelong consequences.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Parents may be the first to notice that the baby’s skull is becoming flattened on the back or on 1 side. They may also notice that the baby keeps the head tilted to 1 side because of muscle tightness. If you see these problems, contact a physical therapist immediately!
Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes taking the baby’s health history. Your physical therapist also will ask you detailed questions about how the baby is handled and the baby’s activity level each day, and gently test for signs and symptoms of common CBS problems, such as:
Flat head syndrome: The back or the side of the head is abnormally flat.
Torticollis. The baby has difficulty turning the head to 1 side, or keeping the neck and head straight due to muscle tightness on 1 side of the neck.
Delayed muscle development: The baby may not be able to roll, sit up, crawl, or lift the head or reach out with the arms when on the tummy in a way expected for the baby’s age.
Sensory problems: The baby shows a delay in the development of vision or hearing skills. The baby may have depth perception problems, and problems tracking moving objects with the eyes.
Delayed cognitive development: The baby may have delayed development of certain thinking and language skills.
Facial asymmetry: The sides of the baby’s face may appear unequal as a result of the skull deformity and flatness.
Your physical therapist may collaborate with a physician or other health care provider to make a final diagnosis. Further tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, and to rule out other problems.
If your physician notices signs of CBS before you do, the physician may refer your baby to a pediatric physical therapist for evaluation and treatment.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Your physical therapist will first evaluate your baby by examining:
- The shape of the skull and face
- The baby’s muscle development
- How your baby holds the head and neck
- How your baby moves the head, body, and limbs
- How well your baby can lift the head and limbs when lying on the tummy
- How well your baby can roll over, crawl, and change body positions
- How well your baby can track objects with the eyes
Based on the findings during the examination, your physical therapist will develop and implement an individualized treatment plan to address your baby’s specific needs.
Physical therapy for any CBS symptoms should be started early, often prior to the baby being 3 months old, but a physical therapist can also help a child who is older regain strength and well-being. Your physical therapist will help improve your baby’s:
Motion and Strength: Your physical therapist will foster specific skills the baby needs to develop. The physical therapist may employ appealing toys, games, and songs to encourage the baby to learn new movements and strengthen underdeveloped muscles. The program will progress to match the growing skills and strength of your baby.
Positioning: Repositioning therapy is the first line of home treatment. Your physical therapist will teach you how to reposition your baby in productive and progressive ways to aid in developing more normal movements, strength, and skull shape. This therapy usually consists of increased floor time and tummy time, and increased times of sitting upright. Parents will be encouraged to hold the baby more, and to perform other activities. Recent guidelines recommend tummy time 3 times a day, with constant adult supervision. Your physical therapist will design a safe program to gently treat your baby’s symptoms. Babies should not sleep in carriers or strollers at night time!
Knowledge: Your physical therapist will educate you about the causes of CBS, and teach you healthier ways to position, feed, and provide safe nap and play times for your baby. You’ll learn how to safely place your baby on the tummy (eg, on the floor or in a playpen) after every feeding, nap, diaper change, and whenever the baby is awake and alert. Holding the baby for feedings rather than feeding the baby in a carrier or stroller allows the baby to look around, improving neck and eye movement. A playpen is a good way to allow the baby to be active and safe while giving the parent some time to get chores done, without confining the baby to a container. Changing the position of toys and mobiles in the crib encourages babies to turn their heads in different directions.
Modalities: Based on each child’s condition, the physical therapist may prescribe different modalities, such as protective head gear to gently aid treatment.
Can this Injury or Condition be Prevented?
Container Baby Syndrome is 100% preventable.
Expectant or new parents are strongly encouraged to follow these guidelines, and contact a physical therapist to learn specific preventive skills. You can protect your baby from developing CBS from day one!
Parents can prevent CBS from ever developing by:
- Limiting the baby’s time in containers, such as car seats and strollers, to only when the baby is actually being transported somewhere.
- Increasing the time the baby lies on the tummy when awake (with adult supervision).
- Holding the baby in their arms or a sling for short periods, instead of leaving the baby in a container.
- Allowing the baby to play freely in a playpen.
- Allowing the baby to frequently play on the floor on a blanket (with adult supervision).
Real Life Experiences
Sarah’s parents adored her and did everything their family and friends said would protect her from injury. Her parents regularly used the car seat that friends had given them as a gift. Sarah’s mom appreciated that Sarah easily fell asleep in her car seat while in the car, and she found it easy to keep Sarah in the car seat when she carried her into the house, and even feed her a bottle while still in the car seat. Sarah’s parents felt like their infant was safe in the car seat, and Sarah seemed content and comfortable.
Sarah’s grandmother commented on what a quiet baby Sarah was. Sometimes Sarah’s parents let her stay in the car seat at night because taking her out might lead to crying, and more time settling down for the night. Sarah did not like to be on her tummy and would cry when placed there. Sarah’s mom was sure that the most important thing was for Sarah to be comfortable and happy in her first few months of life.
Two months after her birth, during a well-baby check, Sarah’s physician noticed that her head was flattened on the back. He also noted that Sarah could not hold her head up as well as a typical 2-month-old baby should, and that she protested vigorously whenever she was placed on her tummy. He noticed that she could not lift her head up when she was on her tummy. Her eyes didn’t follow his finger when he moved it in front of them. The physician recognized that Sarah was showing signs of container baby syndrome.
The physician referred Sarah to a pediatric physical therapist who tested Sarah further. She asked her parents how many hours a day Sarah was in her car seat, how many hours a day she had tummy time or floor time, how many hours she was held in someone’s arms or in a body sling, and what position she slept in.
Her physical therapist noted that Sarah’s head appeared flat in the back, and that she couldn’t lift her head or chest off the floor when on her tummy. Sarah also didn’t kick her legs or reach with her arms as much as a typical infant her age. Her physical therapist confirmed a diagnosis of container baby syndrome.
Sarah’s physical therapist designed a program of specific activities to help encourage Sarah to strengthen her muscles and gain the ability to move better. She also taught Sarah’s parents how to increase her floor time and tummy time, and to hold her in their arms more—all in order to give Sarah a chance to practice and improve her movement skills.
Sarah’s parents learned she should be on her tummy at least 3 hours a day when awake, be carried upright in a sling or her parent’s arms, and be allowed to play in a playpen. Her physical therapist helped her parents understand that repositioning Sarah out of a container was the most important step in allowing her flat skull to correct itself.
Sarah’s physical therapist treated her twice a week for 8 weeks, using gentle exercises and hands-on therapy, by which time Sarah could lift her head for 20 seconds at a time while on her tummy, and could roll from her tummy to her back. Toys and games helped Sarah enjoy her new positions. As she gained strength in her muscles, and learned to use her eyes better, she started to play more. The back of her head began to be more rounded and less flat.
By 4 months of age, Sarah was able to roll, follow objects with her eyes, reach with her arms, and hold up her head much better. Overall, she was a much more active, interactive, and happy baby!
The patients with container baby syndrome have successful outcomes with physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment at Therapy SPOT – Bellaire “Therapy SPOT – Bellaire”. Located in the bellaire neighborhood of Houston TX. Call us at 832-588-3552, email our office manager at [email protected] or complete the online form Here.