As a mother or father, it's normal to feel a little worried if you notice a slight change in the shape of your little one's head. Sometimes you might think, "Oh, my baby's head is a little flat on one side, isn't it?" This is a common problem among many parents. So today, let's talk about this "flat head" or, in medical terms, `(Positional Plagiocephaly)` condition. Don't worry, this is something that can often be easily managed.
What does this flattening of the head mean?
Simply put, this means that your baby's head becomes slightly flat on one side or the back of their head. This is especially likely to happen if they sleep with their head turned to one side during the first few months of their life. This is what we call ``Positional Plagiocephaly``.
Why do babies' heads become so flat? What are the reasons?
The main reason for this is the baby's sleeping position . Babies spend most of their time sleeping on their backs. When pressure is applied to the same area of the head for a long time, that area can become flat. This can happen not only when sleeping, but also when the baby is in a ``car seat'', ``carrier'', ``stroller'', ``swing'', or ``bouncy seat'' for too long.
Now, look, premature babies are more likely to develop this condition. The reason is that their skulls are a little softer than other babies. Also, they sometimes have to receive special medical care, such as in the ``NICU'' ( Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), so they have to spend more time lying down, not being moved or picked up.
Think about it, sometimes this condition can start even before the baby is born . That is, while in the mother's womb, if the baby's head is under pressure from the mother's pelvis, or if it is a twin, if the other baby is under pressure. In fact, many babies, such as twins or triplets, may have small flat spots on their heads when they are born.
Could this also be caused by stiff neck muscles (torticollis)?
Yes, absolutely. A baby's head can also become flat due to a stiff neck (which we call `(Torticollis)` in medicine) . When a baby has this `(Torticollis)` condition, it is difficult for them to turn their neck. So, when they are lying down, they always try to keep their head on the same side. This is what causes the head to become flat. Then, when the flat spot on the head develops, the `(Torticollis)` condition can become even worse.
Babies need a lot of strength to turn their heads. So babies with one side of their head that is very flat tend to keep their heads on that side. Then the neck becomes even stiffer because it is not used.
How do I know if my baby also has this condition?
These symptoms of flat head are usually easy for mothers and fathers to recognize.
- The back of the baby's head will be flatter on one side than the other .
- Usually, there appears to be less hair on that flat part of the head.
- When you look at your baby's head from the top down, the ear on the flattened side may appear to be slightly protruding .
In some severe cases, the forehead may appear to protrude forward on the opposite side of the head, possibly causing an uneven appearance. If this is accompanied by a condition called ``Torticollis'', the neck, jaw area, and face may also appear uneven.
How does a doctor find this?
This condition can usually be diagnosed by a doctor examining the baby's head. To check for a condition called ``Torticollis'', the doctor will carefully observe the way the baby turns his head and neck. Most of the time, this does not require any special medical tests. So there is nothing to worry about.
What can be done to treat this?
First of all, there is something very important to say.
When putting your baby to sleep, you should always put your baby to sleep on his or her back to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Don't change this habit out of fear of the head becoming flat.
Also, it's best to avoid placing your baby in devices like swings, car seats, and bouncy chairs while sleeping. This will allow your baby to move their head freely.
So, if your baby's head is flat, whether it's because of the sleeping position or because they're lying on the floor, there are simple things you can do as a parent to help prevent this. Changing your baby's sleeping position, holding your baby more often, and giving your baby a good amount of "tummy time" can help reverse this condition. Try these tips:
What is "Tummy Time"? What are its benefits?
This means that you turn your baby on his or her stomach while he or she is awake, under your supervision . "Tummy time" has many benefits:
- Helps maintain the normal shape of the back of the head.
- Encourages the baby to learn about the world and discover new things .
- It strengthens the baby's neck muscles and helps him push himself up by pressing his hands against the ground. This is what develops the muscles needed to crawl and sit up later. Think about it, when a baby crawls and holds his head up, the neck muscles become very strong.
Change the sleeping position in the crib.
Think about how you put your baby to sleep in the crib. Many right-handed parents hold their baby in their left hand and place their baby in the crib with their head to the left. This means that the baby has to turn to the right to look at the room. So, place your baby in the crib in a way that encourages them to actively turn their head to the side that is not flat.
Important: Do not use pillows or other devices that help keep the head on one side, such as wedge pillows.
Reduce the time spent in "containers" (like car seats and strollers).
Limit the amount of time your baby spends lying face up on a flat surface, such as a car seat, stroller, swing, or bouncy seat. For example, if your baby has been sleeping in a car seat, take your baby out of it as soon as you get home. Don't let him sleep in it all the time.
Often, babies with a flat head also have some degree of torticollis. Therefore, home stretches and physical therapy are usually part of the treatment. A physical therapist can teach you neck stretching exercises that you can do with your baby. Most often, these exercises involve pulling the neck in the opposite direction to the side where the neck is tilted. Over time, the neck muscles will stretch and the neck will begin to straighten. These exercises are simple, but they need to be done correctly.
Do you use a special helmet?
Sometimes a doctor may prescribe a special helmet to help flatten the head. This helmet is designed to fit the flat areas of the baby's head more loosely and the round areas more tightly. When the helmet is worn, the head cannot grow further from the already round areas. Therefore, the head grows from the flat areas.
When using a helmet, the head becomes rounder faster than it would with time and natural growth. However, after about two years, the results are generally the same for babies who wear helmets and those who don't. So, whether a helmet will help your baby is something you should discuss with your doctor .
What else do we need to know about this?
The condition of flat head improves over time and with the baby's natural growth . As babies grow older, they will start to change positions automatically while sleeping. Then the head will be in one place less often.
Once the baby can sit up unaided, the flat spot on the head usually doesn't get worse. Then, over the months and years, as the skull grows, the flat spot, even in severe cases, becomes less noticeable. Also, as the hair grows in during the first few years, the flat spot becomes less noticeable.
The most important thing is: This flattening of the head will not affect the baby's brain development in any way. Don't worry about it at all.
However, if there is a stiff neck, that is, a condition called ``Torticollis'', it can delay the baby's early development. In physical therapy for ``Torticollis'', ``Physical Therapy'' checks the baby's development progress and provides additional exercises that are appropriate if there is any delay.
So, let's remember what we talked about as a summary, shall we?
Okay, so let's recap the important points we discussed:
- A flat head in babies is a common, temporary condition .
- It is essential to always put your baby to sleep on his or her back to prevent SIDS.
- Providing "tummy time" and frequently changing the sleeping position and side of the crib are very important.
- If you have a stiff neck (Torticollis), you need to get proper treatment for it.
- This condition does not harm the baby's brain development .
- If you have any doubts or fears about this, be sure to talk to your family doctor .
So, if you have any concerns about the shape of your little one's head, don't panic, think about these things, and seek medical advice if necessary. May your little one have a healthy, happy future!
positional plagiocephaly, flat head syndrome, baby head shape, torticollis, tummy time, SIDS prevention, infant care, flat head syndrome, positional plagiocephaly, torticollis, tummy time
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