Baby's Head Shape - Everything You Need to Know About

A baby’s head shape often becomes a source of concern for mothers, especially first-time moms. As the skull bones of the baby are soft and flexible during infancy, they tend to change shapes in response to any outward pressure. Thus, if your baby likes to sleep on the left side the head can get slightly flattened on that side. The same can be seen in the other direction or at the back of the head. This can look a bit odd, but you need to know that there is nothing you should worry about.

What Causes Changes to a Baby’s Head Shape?

There can be multiple reasons behind the changes in the baby’s head shape. These are.

1. Vaginal Delivery

The bones of the baby’s skull go through a lot of pressure during labor. Vaginal birth can cause changes in your baby’s head in different ways

The head may look slightly squeezed or flattened in shape instead of a perfectly round shape.
If the baby goes through prolonged labor and a lot of pressure in the vaginal canal, then the shape of the head can even look like a cone.
Using vacuum suction and forceps to initiate delivery can also cause a misshapen or pinched head.
If you are having twins or triplets then there are chances that their heads will be misshaped, as they get very little space to move.

[Read : Cone Shaped Head In Newborn Babies]

2. Sleeping Position

Doctors advise laying your baby on the back while sleeping before they start crawling. But constantly laying on the back will make a flat spot on the back of the baby’s head. This condition is known as Positional Plagiocephaly. Other reasons behind flat spots in babies can include

Spending lots of time on rockers, strollers, and car seats.
Preferring to sleep with the head turning on one side always.
Short neck or tight neck that restricts free head movements.

3. Birth Defects

There is a condition named craniosynostosis in which the skull bones fuse together before time (before 2 years). In this case, the brain does not get enough space to grow further. As a result, various problems can occur including

Brain damage
Blindness
Seizure

In the case of craniosynostosis, the head can change into a triangular or flattened or narrow long shape.

4. Congenital Torticollis

This is a birth condition where the baby is born with a neck that is oddly positioned. Most babies born with this condition will have the problem more often on the right side of the neck than on the left side. The causes vary from an abnormal positioning when in the mother’s womb to injuries before birth.

In cases of severe torticollis, the infant may suffer from flattening on one side of the head due to the fact that the baby’s head is constantly positioned to one side and the baby finds it difficult to change the position of the head as a normal baby would.

Pediatricians usually are able to diagnose this condition and provide therapy and exercises to overcome the condition. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

How Long Does it Take For a Baby’s Head to Round Out?

A misshapen head can easily go back to a normal round shape in one to two weeks with the only exception being birth defects. In most cases, you don’t have to do much to shape your baby’s head. It will automatically go back to normal.

When Should I Worry About My Baby’s Head Shape?

During the routine check-up, your baby’s pediatrician will check the shape of the head and will let you know if there is any problem.

Otherwise, if you find anything unusual about your baby’s head shape then talk to your doctor.

You should be concerned when:

The shape of the baby’s head is not going back to normal after 2 weeks of delivery.
One spot of the baby’s head is swollen, or any firm raised edge on the head.
Any sunken spot on the baby’s head.
No change in the baby’s head size in the past few months.
Changes in the position or shape of the eye and forehead.

Treatments For a Baby’s Uneven Head Shape

Generally, there is no treatment needed to shape your baby’s head. But you can take a few precautionary steps like:

Use a mustard seed pillow while sleeping. It is very effective for a baby’s perfect head shape.
Giving your baby enough tummy time will also help to get the normal shape of the head.
Occasionally change the side while sleeping to avoid pressure from one direction.
The doctor can even advise baby helmets if the head shape doesn’t change after 4 months.

A change in the baby’s head shape during the first few months is very much common and normal. Don’t worry about it. Try to avoid putting all pressure on one side of the head. Try different sleeping positions for the baby and encourage the baby to move its head. These will cure the misshapen head naturally. Visit your pediatrician regularly to get information about your baby’s proper growth and development and ensure that your baby is on the right track.

[Read : Tummy Time For Babies- A Must Do]

FAQ’s

1. How Do You Reshape a Baby’s Head?

You can reshape your baby’s head by simply changing the sleeping position. The head will naturally shape back to normal once your baby starts sitting or crawling.

2. Do Pillows Help With a Baby’s Flat Head?

There are baby pillows that are made specially to keep your baby’s head round in shape. A mustard seed pillow is also a good option.

3. How Common is a Flat Head in Babies?

A flat head is very common in babies. Almost 50% of the babies get flat heads due to lying on their back for long.

Baby’s Head Shape – Everything You Need to Know About