Have you started to notice that your beautiful babies head is changing shape, or has a family member or friend mentioned it to you? Osteopath Dr Prue Eddie has written this post to discuss flat and misshapen heads in babies. This is what commonly happens next…….

Stressed parents often book their baby in for an appointment, they are upset and often feeling guilty, that they either haven’t noticed or didn’t notice it until now. There is most commonly certainty that the head didn’t appear like this at birth and maybe they have done something wrong.

Firstly, I just want to say, this is a common issue and take a big deep breath.

The most common questions I am asked about this issue are:

1. Why is this happening to our baby?

2. Did we do something wrong to cause this to happen?

AND THE BIGGEST ONE….

3. Will our child’s head look like this forever?

Typically children present with this issue in my office between 6 weeks – 3 months of age, sometimes slightly earlier and sometimes a little later down the track.

If your child is otherwise healthy, is within this age group and you follow our advice, there is a very good chance this will be one of those issues that you will soon have forgotten all about. And this is why.

Nearly all of these misshapen heads, known medically as positional plagiocephaly round out with a combination of care, developmental growth and guidance.

But what is causing the issue in the first place?

Babies and young children have softer and more flexible bones than adults. In addition the skull bones are in numerous parts at birth. This is normal and nothing to worry about. This helps the babies head to mould in the mothers pelvis and adapt in order to be arrive at birth.

The larger spaces between the bones are known as the soft spots, otherwise known as fontanelles. Over time and growth, these progressively become smaller as the bones come closer together. The time of closure is variable according to position and individual variability. The first closes around 4-6 months and the final one usually closes around 18-24 months of age.

Softer bones

As the bones are softer than that of an adult, increased pressure on one spot can lead to increased flattening in a part of the skull. Sometimes the shape change remains local to one part, while more significant flattening leads to changes in the whole skull shape and that of the face. The latter occurs less frequently.

While your developing child was in the womb, there are instances where the baby was restricted in their movement or spent long times with increased pressure against their head. This can occur due to fibroids, alteration of the shape of the uterus, or breech, which may be a predisposing factor. If your child had difficulty during delivery, either Caesar or vaginal, this too may be a contributing factor, especially if it affected your babies ability to turn their neck from side to side. If there is preferential favouring, it is more likely your infant will look that way while in their bassinet or cot. This too can lead to increased flattening on the one side.

Premature babies are more susceptible

Premature babies bones are even softer and are more prone to this issue. In addition, if your child required intensive or special care in the early days or weeks of their life, attached to a ventilator or required some other types of treatment leading to increased time laying in a single position, then they are also more at risk of this issue occurring. Children who spend a lot of time laying on their back may also develop a more general flattening to the whole back of the head.

So what do we recommend?

1. Firstly support opportunities for your little one to spend time in other positions. This may include increased tummy time, being held or in a baby carrier.

2. Encourage your baby to turn their heads both ways, use whatever interests them to motivate them to turn. This may include light, sound, or just you. There may be benefit in changing which end of the cot or bassinet your child sleeps at if it encourages them to turn their head towards you, the door or the window if they find that interesting.

3. Get your child assessed by an Osteopath.

   Osteopaths with a focus on treating children will take your case history, perform assessment, discuss the findings and formulate a plan. They will discuss the plan of any proposed treatment, including information on risks and potential benefit. Only with informed consent would your child be treated if appropriate. Alternatively the osteopath would refer you to another health professional when needed.

Further clinical advice will be specific to the individual needs of your child. Exercises may be prescribed to encourage attainment of developmental movement and functional skill.

If you would like to discuss your health and wellbeing of your baby, including anything to do with flat or misshapen heads, our osteopaths are available to chat about your concerns. Feel free to call the clinic to continue the conversation.