What is Flat Head Syndrome?
Did you know that up to 1 in 2 babies have a “flat spot” on their head? (Source: Cranial Technologies)
Flat head syndrome occurs when a baby’s head has flattening on the back or side. Head flattening can be caused by a baby’s positioning in the womb, excessive time spent on their back, or as a result of neck tension or tightness (also known as Torticollis).
How to Identify a Flat Spot on Your Baby
In the first few weeks or months of life, you may notice that your baby’s head has developed a flat spot or a lack of rounding in one spot (called plagiocephaly) or across the back of the head (called brachycephaly). You might notice this after also observing that your little one likes to sleep or lay in a certain position, perhaps with their head tilted to one side. Commonly called a “head turning preference,” this can often be the first sign that a flat spot might be forming on your little one’s noggin.
Does your baby have a head turning preference?
Look at your camera roll to see if most of the pictures show your little one looking the same way or with their head in a similar position.
That is a good way to determine if your baby might have a head turning preference.
What to Do If You Notice a Head Turning Preference with Your Baby
If you notice that your little one likes to lay a certain way, feeds more comfortably on one side, or doesn’t seem to enjoy certain head positions or turning of their head in the opposite direction, they may have a head turning preference. Oftentimes these preferences are due to body tension or neck tension/tightening.
A formal evaluation by a trained physical therapist, occupational therapist, or cranial sacral therapist is recommended if concerns in this area develop.
Working with these professionals early may decrease the risk of further development of a flat spot if one is already formed, or may prevent one from forming at all.
While you are waiting for a formal evaluation by those professionals, you can help your little one by:
Laying your baby on their side with rolled up towels behind them- do this on both sides.
Motivate your little one to look in the opposite direction by putting wrist and ankle rattles on the arm and leg that you want your baby to look towards (e.g., if baby prefers to look to the right, put the rattles on their left arm and leg).
Placing baby on their tummy for short bursts during wake windows. Use a Boppy pillow or a rolled up blanket under their chest if they don’t enjoy being directly on the floor.
Wear your baby in a carrier or wrap for some naps and limit putting baby in a container when you can (e.g., bouncer, car seat).
Alternate positions when feeding your baby as well (e.g., do one feed with baby in the crook of your left arm, and the next feed in the crook of your right arm). Feed in elevated side-lying position and alternate sides.
Don’t forget about side-lying play!
Parents think about tummy time and time spent playing on their back, but oftentimes forget that playing on baby’s sides is important, too.
How Can Flat Spots be Corrected?
Some babies can round out their flat spots through therapeutic exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and/or cranial sacral therapist trained in flat spots and neck and body tension.
If babies are seen early on (especially before 3-4 months of age), they can make good progress in therapy. Depending on the severity of the flat spot, or the timeline of receiving therapy for head shape, some babies will require a cranial orthotic to fully round out their head.
A Cranial Helmet can help!
You can see my son, Paul, in the picture here. He wore a DocBand as a result of a severe flat spot.
Why Do Flat Spots Need to be Corrected?
If a flat spot is left untreated, baby may be at risk for subsequent abnormalities such as ear asymmetry and facial asymmetry.
If the back of the head is not round, they may not be able to safely wear protective helmets when they get older (e.g., construction hard hat, bike helmet, baseball helmet, football helmet), which also puts them at risk for injury later in life.
Some parents have anecdotally reported that when their baby’s flat spot was left untreated, their little one presented with an increase in ear infections on the flattened side, and some adults with flat spots left untreated have also reported difficulties wearing glasses or sunglasses, as well as jaw pain from misalignment.
Who Can Help if You Notice a Flat Spot?
An evaluation by a physical therapist, occupational therapist, and/or cranial sacral therapist trained in flat spots and neck and body tension is recommended. They can assess the underlying cause for formation of a flat spot and help you help your little one at home.
You can also receive a free head shape screening at a Cranial Technologies near you. They can help you understand your baby’s head shape and talk to you about using a DocBand for cranial reshaping.
With these professionals, you can get all the information you need to make an informed decision about how to help your little one.
If caught in time, flat spots can be corrected! Equip yourself with all the information and make the decision that’s best for you.
This blog was sponsored in part by Cranial Technologies to spread awareness about flat spots.