You’re watching your baby grow, and everything seems fine—until you notice, wait… is their head a bit flatter than usual? This thing, often called flathead syndrome (or names like plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly), happens to many babies, especially in those early weeks. It can be alarming but spotting it early can help make a huge difference. Here’s a messy little guide to what it looks like, what you can do, and when to start bugging your pediatrician.
So, What Exactly Is Flathead Syndrome?
You might have heard of it before, right? Flathead syndrome happens when a baby’s skull starts shaping… a little off. This could be due to spending too much time lying on one side, but there’s more to it. We’re talking flat spots—it could be on the side, back, or maybe that elongated alien look (no judgment). And yes, it’s often because the baby’s skull is still soft and can mold from pressure. The three types you’ll hear about are:
– Plagiocephaly: A nice little flat patch on one side of the head; often, you’ll notice the face isn’t quite symmetrical either.
– Brachycephaly: Ever see a baby with a super wide head? That’s this one. The back of the head flattens out, giving the head a broad, wide appearance.
– Scaphocephaly: The rarer, elongated look. Think long and narrow—like a bean!
But Really, What Does It Look Like?
Okay, so here’s what you might start noticing as time goes by (because, you know, things don’t always jump out at you immediately):
• Flatness on One Side: It’s usually on the back or side. One side of the head seems to be getting all the attention from gravity.
• Ears Out of Whack: Is one ear sticking out more than the other? Yeah, it’s not a fashion choice—this could mean something’s off with the skull.
• The Back Looks Flat: If the head’s whole back looks squashed, that’s usually a sign of brachycephaly. The head seems wider, especially from the front.
• Forehead’s Pushing Forward: Sometimes, the forehead gets involved, popping out a bit on one side to compensate for the flattening happening elsewhere. It’s a whole process.
• The Tilted Head Thing: If you’re catching your baby always tilting their head like they’ve got a crick in the neck, this might be torticollis. It’s not a fun word, but it means tight neck muscles could mess with the skull shape.
• That Long Head Look: This one’s rare, but if your baby’s head seems way longer than it is wide, you’re likely looking at scaphocephaly.
So… What Causes This?
It’s not like there’s one specific culprit here, but a few things can add up:
– Back Sleeping: We’ve been told that sleeping on the back is best to avoid SIDS, but what is the downside? Flathead syndrome has become more common because of it.
– Not Enough Tummy Time: If babies don’t get to stretch out on their bellies enough during the day, their heads spend too much time against surfaces. You know how that goes.
– Head Preferences: Babies are funny—they’ll pick a side to lay on and stick with it like it’s their favorite. The result? Flat spots.
– Preemies at Higher Risk: If your baby was born early, their skull might be even softer than a full-term infant’s, which makes them more prone to flathead. Plus, they often spend extra time on their backs in the NICU.
When Should You Be Worried?
If you’re starting to see some of these signs, it’s probably worth a chat with your pediatrician. They might send you to an orthotist, a specialist in baby head shapes. Early action is *huge*. Repositioning your baby, extra tummy time, or even cranial helmets could help fix things before they become too noticeable. Sometimes you may be referred to our craniofacial team as well.
Stuart Weiner, who runs Cranial Centers of New Jersey, says, “A lot of parents don’t realize how common flathead syndrome is, but early treatment is a game changer.” Helmets? Yeah, they work. But it’s better to get things sorted early before they become a thing.
Fixing the Flat: What Can You Do?
So, what’s the next step if you see a flat spot? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but here are some ideas:
• Repositioning: This is the first step. Get your baby to spend more time in different positions, maybe hold them more, give them lots of tummy time—basically, take some pressure off that spot.
• Physical Therapy: Do you have a torticollis issue? A physical therapist can help stretch and strengthen your neck muscles to keep your baby’s head moving freely.
• Cranial Helmets: If things look more serious, a cranial helmet could be in your future. These helmets guide the skull back to a more normal shape over time—like a gentle nudge as the head grows.
Prevention Hacks for Parents
Before flathead syndrome even shows up, there are a few things you can do to stop it in its tracks:
• Get that tummy time in—start with just 10 minutes a day and keep increasing it. Babies need this!
• Switch up sleeping positions: Turn your baby’s head to different sides when they sleep to mix up the pressure points.
• Hold your baby as much as possible, using slings or carriers so they’re not always flat.
• Car Seats and Swings: I love them for car rides, but maybe you should avoid too much time in these when you’re at home. Too much pressure on the back of their heads.
In the end, knowing what to watch for and getting early help can ensure your baby’s head develops normally. Parenting is a wild ride, but you got this.
The Cranial Center of New Jersey is one of the first and finest cranial centers on the East Coast, specializing in early intervention cranial and helmet therapy. Cranial Center was the first to offer the STARband™ scanner and helmets in New Jersey and the third company in the world with 3-D technology. Owned and operated by Stuart Weiner, CPO, the Cranial Center is certified by the American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics. Our facilities are conveniently located across New Jersey: Hackensack, Hamilton, Hazlet, and Morristown. Contact us for a complimentary consultation at 800 685 9116 or at info AT cranial center dot com.
