Baby’s head shape.

Did you Know?

An uneven head shape can occur due to constant pressure to one part of the head. This may be due to baby sleeping or playing in one position for long periods, or from only turning the head to one side when lying on their back.

Baby’s skull bones are soft and not fully formed, making it easy for ‘flat spots’ to develop on the back or side of the head.

This is sometimes called plagiocephaly or misshapen head.

Some babies are born with tight neck muscles, this too can cause difficulty moving the head and lead to problems with head shape.

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What can you do?

When baby is awake, provide opportunity for supervised Tummy Time. This can be in a variety of positions and can be started straight from birth as it allows for strengthening muscles needed for crawling, sitting and walking.

In the beginning, baby might only be able to stay on their tummy for a minute or so, they may manage 10-15 mins by 3-months age. Aim to do this at least 3x daily.

Side-lying play is another good alternative to lying on the back and helps by bringing the hands together to explore and feel the fingers or other toys.

Always place baby on their back to sleep. Once asleep, you can try turning baby’s head to alternate sides. You can also change the position of the cot to allow baby to look in different directions.

Try a variety of carrying or feeding positions to ensure baby has opportunities to look in all directions.

If you are worried or have any further questions on the shape of your babies head, give us a call to discuss!