Is It Normal For A Baby To Have A Flat Head?

After becoming parents, it’s quite normal to be worried about your baby’s growth and development. Likewise, numerous parents have one common concern that is their babies have a flat spot on their head. Also, it is completely normal for a baby to have a flat head, and you need not be worried about this. However, it’s better to understand why this happens, what it indicates, and what you can do about it.

Why do babies develop a flat head?

A baby’s skull is made up of soft, flexible bones that will not be completely fused at birth. During childbirth, this helps the skull to mold and boosts brain development in the first year of life. Because of this flexibility, the shape of a baby’s head can be easily changed with consistent pressure on one spot.

Positional plagiocephaly remains the main cause of flat head among newborns. This occurs when the infant spends more time lying in a single position, that is, on their back, which puts pressure on the same area of the skull. If you feel like your baby’s condition is not improving day by day, take them to the best child hospital in Coimbatore to safeguard their health.

The common factors that trigger this condition include:

Premature birth: Typically, premature babies will be born with softer skulls, and in the neonatal care unit, they will spend more time lying on their backs.
Tight neck muscles: This causes a baby to favor turning their head in one direction, resulting in uneven pressure.
Multiple births: When it’s twins or triplets, they will obviously get a compact space in the womb, which greatly affects their head shape.
Limited tummy time: Tummy time is crucial for relieving pressure from the back of the head.

Is a flat head harmful?

Most of the time, a flat head in babies is not a medical concern but a cosmetic concern, because it is not going to affect brain development or function. Even several babies with flat spots on their heads grow up healthy and normally.

Also, in severe cases, it will result in noticeable head asymmetry, which persists into adulthood if overlooked. That’s why healthcare professionals highly recommend timely observation and intervention.

How to identify a flat head?

You can see:

Flattening will be observed only on one side or on the back of the head
Misaligned ears, like pushed forward
Turning their head only the single side

If you are unsure, pediatricians often check for flat spots during regular check-ups. They will measure the baby’s head and monitor its shape over time.

How to prevent or improve a flat head?

Fortunately, several cases of flat head syndrome in infants can be prevented or corrected with a simple measure at home. Further, let’s see what you can do:

Encourage tummy time:

Tummy time greatly helps in strengthening your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles and reduces the amount of time spent on their back. Start with short sessions a few times a day from the newborn stage and slowly increase the duration.

Change sleeping positions:

Also, babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), you can slowly alternate the direction they face when sleeping. One day turn their head to the left, and the following day move it to the right.

Reduce their time in car seats, bouncers, and swings:

This places extra pressure on the back of the head. Try to balance their time between these devices and tummy or upright play.

With toys, encourage head movements:

Place your mobile phones or toys on different sides of the play area to make your infants turn their heads on both sides.

Hold your baby more often:

Carrying your tiny wonders in your arms or using a baby carrier reduces the amount of time their head rests against a flat surface.

What if it doesn’t improve?

In case your baby’s head shape is not improving by 4 to 6 months of age, your healthcare professional might recommend some additional tips, like:

Physical therapy:

If the flatness is due to torticollis or muscle tightness, a physical therapist will teach you stretches and exercises to help improve your baby’s range of motion and head mobility.

Helmet therapy:

In extreme or persistent cases, a specially crafted helmet, like cranial orthosis, may be used to gently reshape the skull. Helmet therapy will help kids between 4 and 12 months of age, while the skull is still malleable.

When to consult a healthcare provider?

Flat head syndrome can be generally harmless, still, you should consider talking with the best pediatrician in Coimbatore, if:

When flat spots appear to be getting worse
Kids are moving their head on only one side
Noticing signs of developmental delays
The shape of your baby’s head will look very uneven
When your babies are experiencing discomfort during head movement

It is also crucial to differentiate flat head syndrome from other, more serious skull conditions, such as craniosynostosis, which happens when skull bones fuse very early. This is one of the rarest conditions and necessitates surgical treatment.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, we can say that it’s quite normal for a baby to have a flat head, notably in the first few months of life. The condition, known as positional plagiocephaly, typically resolves on its own or with minor adjustments in care routines. Also, by encouraging tummy time, rotating your baby’s position, and limiting time in resting devices, you can often prevent or improve flat spots. When required, healthcare professionals will guide you with physical therapy or helmet treatment. Always have open communication with your doctor to safeguard your kids’ health. Proper understanding and intervention can make a world of difference in your baby’s head shape and overall development, so you are already on the right path.