Why Does My Baby Have a Flat Spot on Their Head?
It can be worrying for parents to notice a flat spot on their baby’s head, but the good news is that this is very common and often very treatable.
Babies’ skulls are designed to be soft and flexible in early life. This allows the bones of the skull to gently overlap as a baby moves through the birth canal during delivery. While this flexibility is an amazing design feature, it also means that a baby’s head shape can change if pressure is placed on the same area for long periods of time.
This type of head flattening is often called positional plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome.
The reassuring news is that because a baby’s skull is still soft, it can often be reshaped with the right positioning and guidance early on.
What causes a flat spot on a baby’s head?
There are several reasons a baby may develop flattening on the back or side of their head, including:
Positioning in the womb before birth
Tight neck muscles (a condition called torticollis)
A baby preferring to turn their head to one side
Repetitive positioning, such as lying with pressure on the same part of the head
Low neck strength or muscle tone
Sometimes babies develop a flat spot simply because they spend a lot of time lying on their backs (which is still the safest position for sleep). When a baby repeatedly rests their head in the same position, gentle pressure can gradually change the shape of the skull.
Can a flat head correct itself?
In many cases, yes.
Because a baby’s skull bones are still soft and growing rapidly in the first year of life, the head shape can often improve significantly when pressure is reduced on the flattened area and babies are encouraged to move their heads in different directions.
Early support can make a big difference.
How a paediatric physiotherapist can help
A paediatric physiotherapist can assess both your baby’s head shape and neck movement to understand why the flattening has developed.
At Little Leaps, we look at:
your baby’s head shape and symmetry
neck movement and flexibility
whether one side of the neck is tighter than the other
muscle strength and motor development
your baby’s preferred positions when resting or playing
Understanding the cause helps us guide you with the right strategies to support your baby’s development.
What treatment might involve
Physiotherapy usually focuses on:
Positioning strategies
We show you how to gently reposition your baby during sleep, play and feeding so pressure is reduced on the flattened area.
Exercises to improve neck movement
If your baby has tight neck muscles, we provide simple stretches and play-based exercises to help improve flexibility and strength.
Encouraging healthy motor development
Babies with tight neck muscles sometimes develop delays in rolling or other early motor milestones. We guide families with activities that support natural development.
Our goal is to support your baby’s head shape while helping them develop strong, balanced movement skills.
When should you seek advice?
It may be helpful to seek guidance if you notice:
a flat spot on the back or side of your baby’s head
your baby’s always turning their head to the same side
difficulty turning their head both ways
delays in tummy time or rolling
The earlier we assess these concerns, the easier it often is to support healthy development.
Supporting your baby’s next little leap
At Little Leaps, we work alongside families to help babies develop the strength, movement and confidence they need as they grow.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s head shape or neck movement, we’d love to help guide you through the next steps.
Sometimes all it takes is a few simple changes to help your baby take their next little leap.
