Positional plagiocephaly, more commonly known as Flat Head Syndrome, describes a flattened area on an infant’s head. This can develop if a baby lies with their head in one position for long periods of time during the first few months of life.
There are many ways that parents can help reduce the risk of these flattened spots developing on their baby’s head.
Tummy time, when baby is awake and supervised, is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the risk of positional plagiocephaly. You can start tummy time with your baby from birth, gradually increasing time spent on their front as they get older.
Remember to always watch your baby and never put them on their front for their sleeps.
Switching ends of the cot to sleep your child can help as well. Some babies like to fall asleep looking at a certain point in their room. For these babies, they will need to move their head to the other direction to see the same thing if you change the end they are sleeping at.
When flattened spots develop, they are usually reversible and rarely need significant medical or surgical intervention. The most common treatment strategies are the same as the prevention strategies.
There is no evidence to suggest that plagiocephaly affects brain development.
Key Points
For most children, plagiocephaly is preventable. The ways to prevent or treat this include:
- Always place baby to sleep on the back.
- Alternate baby’s head position (left or right) when placed to sleep
- Do not place baby in a seated position for long periods
- From birth, offer baby increasing amounts of time playing on the tummy while awake and watched by an adult
- Alternate the holding position when feeding baby
- Hold in left arm for one feed and the right arm for the next feed
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