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Positional head-flattening in babiesDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. What is positional head-flattening in babies?Positional head-flattening is sometimes referred to as flat head in babies. Its medical name is positional plagiocephaly.
Positional head-flattening may occur in a baby who spends too much time lying on the same part of their head.
Sometimes babies are born with a slightly flat spot on their head. They may have head swelling or bruising from a difficult birth. These babies may be more at risk of developing a flat head.
 Back to TopHow can I help to prevent positional head-flattening in my baby?You can help to prevent a flat spot from occurring by varying your baby’s head position when you put your baby to bed.
You should always sleep your baby on their back, but from birth you should try to turn their head to a different side at each sleep.
If you find that your baby favours a particular head or neck position, it may be because they have a tight neck muscle on one side, preventing them from turning their head. The muscle is called the sternomastoid muscle. The tightness of this muscle can cause your baby to prefer turning their head and neck to one particular side. The tightness may prevent your baby from turning the other way. These babies may need physiotherapy.
You should check with your GP (general practitioner) if you have any questions or concerns.
Back to TopWhere to go for more information about positional head-flatteningFor information about this condition, see the Education for Change and Ministry of Health pamphlet below - Protecting your baby’s head shape: information on preventing flat heads in babies1.
This pamphlet discusses how positional head-flattening can develop; how to prevent it and what to do if flat spots do develop.
The pamphlet reinforces the message that sleeping on the back is one of the best ways to protect a baby from sudden infant death syndrome or cot death.
 Back to TopLinks (these are the web addresses for the numbered links in the text above) Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 18/01/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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