Preventing a flat head

Your baby needs to spend some time on his tummy every day.
Photo: Delphine Descamps
When babies sleep, they should be on their back (see Sleeping safely). But if your baby always lies on the same spot on her head, she may end up having a “flat head.” It’s because the bones of her skull are still soft. The medical term for this phenomenon is “positional plagiocephaly.”
Therefore, it’s important that your baby not always lie on the same spot on her head to avoid creating a flat area.
A slight flattening of the head may improve on its own. A more pronounced flatness may be permanent, but it will not harm your baby’s brain development.
By varying your baby’s position throughout the day (e.g., sitting in her little chair, in your arms, on the floor on her stomach and back, in the baby carrier [see Taking baby for a walk]), you avoid having her head always resting on the same spot.

Many babies love this position. It’s soothing and counts as tummy time.
Photo: Jean-Claude Mercier
Babies focus their gaze on what interests them (e.g., your face, the window). When you change your baby’s position, she may turn her head to continue watching you or the object she’s interested in. That way, her head won’t stay resting on the same spot.
When they’re awake and under supervision, it’s important for babies to spend time on their stomach. From her very first days of life, lay your baby on her tummy. You can lay her on a flat surface, on your stomach, or on your arm. Start with a few minutes, several times a day, for as long as she feels comfortable. Do this until she’s spending at least 60 minutes total per day on her tummy.
Some tips to help prevent or reduce a flat head are shown in the box next page.
If you notice that your child has a flat head, turns her head to one side more than the other, or you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider.
Some tips to help prevent or reduce a flat head
- Make sure your baby can turn her head equally in both directions.
- Change your baby’s position in her crib every day (e.g., one day, place your baby’s head at the foot of her crib, then at the head of her crib the next day).
- Regularly move your baby’s rocker, bouncer, or other chair to vary the directions she looks towards.
- Switch sides each time you give her a bottle.
- Regularly place your baby on her tummy.
- Limit the amount of time she spends with her head resting on a hard surface (e.g., on a play mat or in her car seat).