What Ages of Babies are at Risk of Flat Head Syndrome?

When a baby is born with a mis-shaped head, either due to multiple births or pressure in the birthing canal, this problem usually corrects itself by the time the baby is around six weeks old.

When no problematic signs are noticed at birth, special care needs to be taken until the baby is around 20 weeks old. Babies that tend to favour resting their head in any one particular position are at increased risk of contracting this condition. From zero to four months, the regular pressure of flat surfaces like cot mattresses and prams can cause flat spots on the back or sides of the head. This is because their skulls remain quite soft during this period.

Seek medical advice about any change in your baby’s head shape.

* Case-Control Study of Neurodevelopment in Deformational Plagiocephaly

Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics) published online Feb 15, 2010

Epidemiology, and Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Children’s Craniofacial Center, and Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington

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Treatment and Prevention

Flat Head Syndrome currently affects 1 in 10 newborn babies in Australia to some degree. It is most common in premature or multiple births, but also affects many babies who spend time lying on their back or favor one side. As well as being a cosmetic problem, it has recently been linked to developmental delays in newborn babies according to a recent study by Dr Matthew Speltz, Clinical Psychologist at the Seattle Children’s Institute.

Does a Head Support Really Help in Preventing Flat Head Syndrome?

Whilst there is no randomised clinical trial that supports the fact that a flat head pillow can help prevent the occurrence of Flat Head Syndrome in a baby, there are an increasing number of people from the medical fraternity as well as parents and carers who vouch for the effectiveness of some of these pillows designed especially for babies less than 6 months old.