Hello parents!

Have you noticed that your baby’s head is a little flat on one side? No need to fret! This is actually a relatively common occurrence, which will affect 1 out of 5 babies at some point in their life, and is most commonly known as Flat Head Syndrome. If you’re looking for answers, keep reading to find them!

What is Flat Head Syndrome?

Flat Head Syndrome is also known by two other names depending on the type; plagiocephaly and brachycephaly.

Plagiocephaly is the term given when one side of the skull is flattened. The head may appear asymmetrical, or look like a parallelogram from above. The forehead may also bulge slightly on one side.

Brachycephaly is the term given when the back of the skull is flattened, and it in turn becomes wider. Neither type is worse or better than the other, and in most cases Flat Head Syndrome is nothing to worry about. This is not painful for the baby, and usually will not impact their development in any way.

Read about our flat head treatments in Brisbane.

How does it happen?

In our skulls, there are a number of plates and bones that are formed together to create the shape of the skull. However, these bones in a baby are still relatively soft, and when they spend too much time in a certain position, the pressure on the skull can cause it to change shape.

For instance, If a baby has a tight neck, the difficulty of them turning can also cause plagiocephaly since they will opt to keep their head in the same position.
This condition can also occur if there are problems in the womb, or a baby is born prematurely.
If your baby constantly sleeps on their back, that pressure can cause the back of their head to flatten. However, sleeping on their back is important for a baby, as it helps to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Even if you do notice your baby’s head flattening at the back of their skull, you must make sure that your baby still sleeps on their back.

How can I tell it’s happened?

Thankfully, Flat Head Syndrome is fairly easy to spot. The best way to spot it is simply to sit your baby upright, and look at the top of their head above them. Pay attention to the shape of their skull, and if any particular section is flatter than the rest.
If you notice your baby spending a lot of time laying on their back, or facing one direction more than the other, it wouldn’t hurt to semi-regularly check the shape of your baby’s head for any potential flattening of the skull.

A slightly flattened head is not cause for concern, and can resolve over time. If you are concerned or find that it is not improving, then steps can be taken to fix this issue.

How is it fixed?

Since Flat Head Syndrome is caused by excess pressure on certain parts of the baby’s skull, the solution is to reduce the amount of pressure placed on the flattened parts of the baby’s head.

Ways you can do this at home is by prioritising tummy time during the day, and encouraging different positions during play time. You can do this by placing their mobile and toys in different positions to encourage your baby to tilt their head in different directions.
If you’re able, try to reduce the amount of time your baby spends laying on a firm flat surface like a pram. Instead, you can utilise front carriers or slings to put their head in different positions.

If you notice that your baby is having trouble turning their head, chiropractic treatment could be the answer. If the problem is due to a tight neck, a chiropractor can gently release the tight muscles and allow your baby to strengthen their neck, and improve their plagiocephaly. 

In the event that your baby has Flat Head Syndrome, seeking out chiropractic care (particularly from us as your North Brisbane chiropractors!) can help improve this condition and keep your baby healthy and thriving as they grow.


References

National Health Service UK (2022), Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/