Discharge Instructions for Craniosynostosis

Your baby has been diagnosed with craniosynostosis. This occurs when bones in your baby’s skull grow together, or fuse, too early. A newborn’s skull is made up of separate bones that haven’t yet fused. The separate bones allow the skull to expand as the brain grows. Normally, the skull bones fuse completely together late in the teen years. If the bones fuse too early, brain growth can be restricted. This can lead to developmental problems and sometimes seizures. Your baby has had surgery to open the fused bones and to create space for brain growth. Below are instructions for home care following this surgery.

Incision Care

• Follow your health care provider’s instructions for how to best position your baby for sleeping while the incision is healing.

• Wash your baby’s incision with mild soap and water. Pat the incision dry with a soft towel.

• Don’t use oils, lotions, or creams on the incision unless you’ve been told to do so by your baby’s doctor. These can weaken sutures and cause the wound to open.

• Don’t soak the incision in water.

• For at least 6 months after the sutures are removed, protect the incision from the sun. Have your baby wear a hat, scarf, or sun block.

Activity

• Keep your baby from activities that put pressure on the incision or might cause the incision to open.

• Remove low furniture with sharp edges, such as coffee tables, to protect your baby from head injuries.

• Gently turn your baby’s head from side to side 4 times per day to help prevent the neck from becoming stiff.

Other Home Care

• Feed your baby his or her regular diet.

• Make sure your baby avoids exertion, heat, stress, and fatigue.

• Prevent your baby from picking, scratching, or pulling at the area around the incision. If you need to, put mittens or socks on his or her hands.

Follow-Up

Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.