Flat head syndrome in babies

Flat head syndrome in babies is a cranial deformation known medically as "plagiocephaly". This deformation is unfortunately quite common in newborns. The fact that a newborn's head is still quite malleable — to facilitate passage through the cervix during labour — further increases this risk of deformation.

WHAT IS PLAGIOCEPHALY?

This flat head syndrome manifests as a deformation of the skull at the back of the head, on one side. When plagiocephaly is severe, you can see on the flattened side that the ear is shifted forwards towards the face and the forehead is more prominent. These deformations are fairly common and affect almost 1 in 3 children. This phenomenon has been steadily increasing over recent years, and this is due to the fact that medical professionals now advise parents to place babies to sleep exclusively on their back, rather than on their front as was previously recommended. Sleeping on the back reduces the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

What are the causes of plagiocephaly?

Here are some possible causes of flat head syndrome:

• An awkward position in the womb;
• Sleeping on the back (although sleeping on the front is not recommended);
• Birth trauma (the use of instruments, for example);
• Infant torticollis;
• Low muscle tone in the neck;
• Spending long periods in a constrained position in baby equipment such as a bouncy chair;
• Not enough tummy time when the baby is awake.

What can be done to correct this deformation?

First and foremost, pay attention to whether the child turns their head freely, and if not, you will need to alternate their head position at each sleep so that they sleep on both the right and left sides in equal measure. If you notice that one side is flatter than the other, you can in particular:

• Roll up a towel to prop baby on the desired side (under your supervision);
• Encourage baby to turn their head in both directions, using toys for example;
• Place your baby on their tummy for a few minutes every day to strengthen their neck muscles;
• Use a soft baby carrier to improve head support.

What should you do if the problem persists?

Fortunately, plagiocephaly is not inevitable, and there are ways to correct it. First of all, following the steps mentioned above should in most cases be sufficient for the baby's flat head to return to a normal shape. It is also worth knowing that the more the baby grows and moves their head, the more the deformation will gradually diminish and eventually disappear entirely. However, if you see no improvement despite all of this, it is essential to consult your paediatrician promptly; they will refer you to specialists. Sessions of osteopathy or physiotherapy may well be enough. If the problem persists beyond the child's 5th month, they may need to wear a helmet called a "cranial orthosis" for 22 hours a day to effectively correct the deformation.