You may have seen a baby whose head appears flat and asymmetrical. This condition is referred to as flat head syndrome or plagiocephaly. In general, flat head syndrome in infants poses no direct threat to the baby's physical health. However, this condition can result in an unbalanced head shape, which affects the child's appearance as they grow older.

Causes of flat-head syndrome in infants

According to research, infant flat head syndrome is common and typically mild. Newborn skulls are extremely soft and malleable. When babies sleep on their backs for long periods of time, the regular pressure causes certain parts of their heads that are attached to the mattress to flatten.

Premature babies are more likely to develop infant flat head syndrome because their skulls are not fully developed.

In some rare cases, infant flat-head syndrome can be detected at birth. Twin pregnancies are more likely to cause plagiocephaly due to increased uterine pressure. Furthermore, the use of assistive devices such as forceps during labor may increase the risk of plagiocephaly due to the pressure applied to the baby's head.

How to prevent flat-head syndrome in infants

Infant flat-head syndrome can be prevented. Here are some steps that can be taken to prevent it:

Repositioning the head during sleep

When sleeping on the back, repositioning the baby's head to the right or left can help to relieve excess pressure on one side of the head. This helps to distribute pressure more evenly across the baby's head.

Changing positions in bed

Moving the baby's position in bed on a regular basis can also help prevent them from sleeping in the same position all the time. Make sure the baby is safe and comfortable in whatever position he or she sleeps in.

Invite baby for tummy time

Tummy time offers numerous benefits for babies. Playing on the tummy or mother's chest can help the baby develop neck and body muscle strength, strengthen the core muscles, and relieve pressure on the back of the baby's head, preventing it from flattening.

Play on the other side

Babies tend to prefer lying on one side, either the right or left side. Encourage your baby to play on the side he or she prefers the least to help exercise the neck muscles and reduce the tendency to tilt on one side, which increases the risk of flat head syndrome.

When is it necessary to visit the doctor?

If your child's plagiocephaly worsens or does not improve despite preventive measures, you should see your pediatrician. The doctor may recommend using a special helmet designed to reduce pressure on the flat spot of the baby's head.

Usually, recommended helmets are made of lightweight, flexible materials that are easy for the baby to wear. However, these helmets can provide normal head shape support while also assisting with normal head shape changes.

You should also consult a doctor if your baby is having trouble feeding due to an uncomfortable head position, behavioral changes such as difficulty moving the head, or excessive fussing.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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