Plagiocephaly or flattening of the head occurs when a baby always lies with his or her head in the same position. This does not impact at all on the child's development or learning abilites except in severe cases, when it may contribute to visual and hearing problems.
For most children this is a mild condition simply resolved by positioning and encouraging the child to turn their head.
With simple repositioning techniques, you can prevent and correct 'flattened-head syndrome' and help promote your infant's neuromuscular development. Repositioning involves changing the position of your baby's head while he or she is sleeping and during activities. Changing head positions also helps strengthen the muscles in the neck, which is important when babies begin to hold their heads and sit up on their own.
Very simple measures like making some time for "tummy time", puting visual stimui on the opposite side of the cot, seat or pram will encourage baby to turn his/her head so that everything is seen from another angle than the preferred view.
There has been some work done on special "helmets" which have to be worn daily for the first year of life and are then supposed to alter the baby's head shape. Recent studies have shown no real advantage, for children with mild plagiocephaly, to using these appliances.
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