Baby's Head Shape - Healthnile.com

Reasons for an Uneven Appearance in a Baby’s Head

A newborn’s skull has several soft bones joined by flexible seams called sutures. This flexibility helps the baby’s head move through the birth canal and allows the skull to grow quickly as the brain grows, especially in the first year. Several common factors can cause a baby to have an uneven or misshapen head:

Birth Process: Pressure during birth, including the use of forceps or vacuum, can make the baby’s head look uneven at first.
Crowding in the Womb: Babies who share the womb with twins or have little space may have a different head shape.
Pressure After Birth: Babies who spend a lot of time lying in the same position, often in swings, bouncers, or car seats, can develop flat areas on the back or side of their heads. This is called positional flattening.
Premature Birth: Babies born early may have softer skulls, making them more likely to develop uneven head shapes.

Specific types of head shape changes include:

Condition	Description
Plagiocephaly	Flatness on one side of the back of the head.
Brachycephaly	Flatness on the entire back of the head, making it appear wider.
Scaphocephaly	Long, narrow head shape; less common; linked to early joining of skull bones.

Rarely, an abnormal head shape happens when two or more skull plates join too soon, which can lead to uneven head growth and may need medical attention.

Should Parents Worry If Their Baby’s Head Shape Is Uneven?

Most of the time, an uneven head shape is not a cause for panic. Mild differences in head shape do not affect brain development or growth. Positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly are the most common types and generally do not cause problems with learning or movement. Pediatricians check babies’ heads during well-baby visits. They look for:

Abnormal flattening or bulging
Uneven growth patterns
Signs that skull plates are joining too early

In some cases, a very abnormal head shape can cause issues with the jaw, ears, or eyes. If the misalignment is severe, a healthcare provider may become more concerned.

Ways to Treat Head Shape Differences in Infancy

Treatment depends on the cause and how much the head shape has changed. Most cases use simple, non-surgical steps:

Always place the baby on their back to sleep (to lower SIDS risk), but change the direction the baby’s head faces in the crib each night to help prevent flat spots.
Hold the baby upright often instead of leaving the child in car seats or swings for long periods.
Switch arms when feeding or holding the baby.
Tummy time: give the baby supervised time on their stomach while awake to help develop neck and shoulder muscles and take pressure off the back of the head.

If a baby has tight neck muscles and favors one side, a healthcare provider may suggest physical therapy. Physical therapists can show simple exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck. In rare cases where skull plates join too soon, surgery may be needed to allow the brain to grow properly.

Approach	Main Use
Repositioning	Mild to moderate positional head flattening.
Physical therapy	Cases with muscle tightness or favoring one side.
Surgery	Early joining of skull bones.
Molding helmet (see below)	Moderate to severe flattening.

Molding Helmets and Head Shape Correction

If repositioning and other simple steps do not improve the baby’s head shape by around five months old, a healthcare provider may recommend a cranial remolding helmet or band. These devices are specially fitted to the child’s head and gently guide the skull into a more even shape as the baby grows. Key points about helmet therapy:

Best results happen if started between ages 3 and 6 months.
The helmet is worn for most of the day (about 23 hours) and adjusted weekly as the head grows.
Treatment often takes about 3 months but can last longer if started later.
Helmets are safe and do not cause pain.

Babies with mild cases or those still improving with repositioning and tummy time usually do not need helmets.

How to Check Your Baby’s Head at Home

Caregivers can watch their baby’s skull shape between doctor visits. Look for:

When looking down at the top of the baby’s head, the shape should be smooth and oval—like an egg.
Both ears should line up at the same height.
The forehead should be even and not stick out on just one side.
Cheeks and jaw should look balanced from the front.

Tips for supporting healthy head shape at home:

Gradually increase tummy time under supervision.
Limit long periods in carriers or swings.
Change positions often, both in sleep (alternate head turn) and when holding your baby.
Watch for signs that your baby favors one side, such as always turning their head the same way.

When to See a Professional

If you notice your baby has an unusual head shape, flat spots that get worse, a very small or very large head, bulging soft spots, or uneven features, make an appointment with a healthcare provider.

Pediatricians may take precise measurements and sometimes use imaging tests to confirm the type and severity of skull shape change. They may refer your baby to specialists if they suspect a more complex problem.

Sign to Watch	Next Step
Mild unevenness	Try repositioning, tummy time
Firm ridges over skull	Professional evaluation needed
Severe or worsening shape	Discuss helmet or specialty referral
Tight neck muscles, baby favors one side	Ask about physical therapy
Concerns about development	Share with pediatrician

By staying observant and working with a healthcare professional, most cases of a misshapen head can be managed with simple, safe strategies.