Does your baby's head look flat? Let's talk about Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly)

When a newborn baby comes home, that game comes to life, right? As a mother or father, you probably spend your whole day looking at your baby with love. But have you ever noticed that one side of your baby's head seems a little flatter than the other? It's very normal to feel a little scared and worried when you see that. Many parents worry about this. But don't worry , most of the time it's not serious. Today, we'll talk about everything in detail and simply.

What exactly is this flat head? (Positional Plagiocephaly)

Simply put, this is what we call `Positional Plagiocephaly` in medical terms. In everyday speech, we also call it `Flat Head Syndrome`. This is when your baby's head becomes flattened on one side or back. This can make the baby's head look a bit asymmetrical, meaning that the two sides are not the same.

We know that to protect babies from the dangerous condition called Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), they should always be put to sleep on their backs. This is the safest way. However, when babies are placed on their backs for most of the day, their soft heads can be constantly under pressure on one side. That is the main reason why this head is flat. But the good news is that this condition can be corrected to a large extent with very simple measures.

Are there different types of flat head?

Yes, there are several main types. `Positional Plagiocephaly` is the most common. But let's be a little aware of the other types as well.

How common is this condition?

It's more common than you might think. Studies show that about 50% of babies , or about one in every two babies, have some degree of ``Positional Plagiocephaly.'' But most of the time, it's very mild. So remember that this isn't just a problem for your baby.

What are the symptoms of flat head?

These symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Here are some things you can easily spot:

• The baby's head appears flat on the back, side, or front.
• It looks like the hair is missing from one part of the head.
• The shape of the head is uneven or appears to be tilted to one side.
• The forehead, eye, or cheek appears larger or protruding on one side.
• The nose looks as if it is pushed to one side.
• The ears are not at the same level, and one ear appears to be raised or forward .

Don't panic when you see these. If you suspect something like this, the best thing to do is to talk to your doctor about it at your baby's next clinic visit.

Why are babies' heads so flat?

There's a very simple reason. A newborn baby's skull is very soft. It's not yet fully developed and strong. So it can easily change shape.

Think about it, babies sleep for hours a day. When we put them to sleep on their backs for safety, they may habitually turn their heads to one side. Maybe it's toward the window, or toward the noise in the room. When they keep their heads on one side for a long time, the soft skull on that side continues to put pressure on it. Over time, the area where that pressure is applied begins to flatten.

Is this risk higher for some babies?

Yes, some factors may slightly increase the likelihood of this condition occurring.

• Premature babies: Babies born prematurely have softer skulls and spend more time lying down in the hospital and at home.
• Torticollis: Some babies have a stiff neck on one side of their neck. This is called congenital muscular torticollis. This makes it difficult for them to turn their neck to the other side. So they always turn their head to the same side. This can be treated with physical therapy.
• Twin births: This risk is higher for twins or more babies because space is limited in the uterus.
• Instrumental births: Using instruments such as forceps or vacuum extractors can put some pressure on the head.
• Having a first child: During a first pregnancy, the mother's abdominal muscles are more tense, which can limit the space in the uterus.
• Lack of activity and lack of tummy time: Another reason is that the baby is always lying on his back and not enough time is given to play on his stomach (tummy time).

What can we do at home?

There are some very simple, yet very effective things you can do at home to manage this condition. The results are much better if you start these while your baby's head is still soft, especially before 4 months .

1. Change the baby's position frequently (Repositioning)

This is the most important thing. You need to reduce the pressure on the baby's head in one place.

• Change the sleeping side: Suppose your baby always sleeps with his head turned to the right. The next day, you can turn the baby in the crib to the other side. That is, with his feet where his head was before. Then, if he is to look at the room as he is used to, he will have to turn his head to the left.
• Gently turn your baby's head while he's sleeping: When your baby is sleeping soundly, you can very gently turn his head to the side he doesn't like the most.
• Get attention with toys: Place a nice, squeaky toy outside your baby's crib, in a direction that he wants to turn his head to look at. Then he will turn his head to look at it.

2. Hold the baby often.

Instead of always having your baby lying down in a crib or chair, spend more time holding him. When you hold him, his head is not pressed against a flat surface. Switch sides when feeding. Keep him lying down on your chest. All of these things help.

3. "Tummy Time" is a must!

This is very important. `Tummy Time` is when you put your baby on his tummy and let him play under your supervision while he's awake .

• Why is this important? Not only does this reduce the risk of a flat head, but it also strengthens the muscles in your baby's neck, arms, and back. This is essential for their development.
• How to do it? Start with a few minutes, a few times a day. Don't force it if your baby doesn't want to. Encourage him by laying a clean cloth on the floor and placing toys in front of him. Lie down in front of him and talk to him. Gradually increase the time.

Are there any things to be careful about when doing these things?

Yes, definitely. The baby's safety comes first.

What if doing things at home isn't enough?

Most of the time, the simple methods we discussed above can help you manage this condition well, but sometimes you may need extra help.

• Physical Therapy: If your baby has torticollis (tight neck muscles), your doctor will refer you to a physical therapist, who will teach you simple exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck muscles.
• A special helmet (Plagiocephaly Helmet): If the condition is more severe, the doctor may recommend using a helmet that is specially made for the baby's head. This helmet corrects the shape of the skull by allowing the flat area of ​​the head to grow and applying gentle pressure to the rounded areas. This is usually worn for about 23 hours a day for several months.

Your doctor will decide what treatment is necessary, so ask him or her any questions you may have.

Does this condition affect the baby's brain?

This is the biggest fear of many parents. No. This common condition called `Positional Plagiocephaly` does not affect the baby's brain development or intelligence in any way. It is completely external and related to the shape of the skull. However, if left untreated, facial asymmetry can sometimes cause minor vision changes or jaw problems. That is why we need to be concerned about this.

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