It is not uncommon for a baby's head to become flattened due to their sleeping position. Although a flat head may not necessarily harm the baby, it can affect their appearance, hence their future self-esteem. Therefore, many parents hope to improve their baby's head shape early on, so that they can grow up looking beautiful and cute.

Formation of baby's head shape

A flattened or misshapen head in babies is usually related to their sleeping position, especially when lying on their back for prolonged periods. As a baby's skull is very soft, being in the same position for a long time can cause the skull to become compressed and misshape. Common symptoms include a flat spot on the back of the head, flatness on one side of the back of the head (the other side bulged), and asymmetrical eyes or ears (one higher than the other). Some babies may already have head deformation at birth, which may be related to pressure in the uterus or during delivery.

Seizing the golden period for improving a baby's head shape

The golden period refers to the first six months after birth. During this time, a baby's skull is very soft and easily affected by external factors, but also tends to recover to its normal shape easily. Therefore, adopting the correct methods for improvement during this time can achieve the best results.

Vary baby's sleeping positions

A newborn baby’s skull is very soft and easily affected by sleeping positions. Therefore, it is very important to change their sleeping positions, such as laying them on their back, stomach, or side, to reduce the pressure on their head and prevent deformation.

Practise tummy time

When the baby is awake, placing them in a prone position (lying on their stomach) on the bed has several benefits. This can prevent the baby from lying on their back for a long time, and exercise muscles in the neck, arms, legs, and upper body, aiding in various stages of physical development, such as rolling over and sitting up.

Perform moderate massage

Parents can perform light head, neck, and facial massages for their babies, which can promote blood circulation in the head, relax muscles and relieve tension, effectively improving the head shape.

Use corrective helmets

Using special devices such as corrective helmets can help improve the shape of a baby's head. These devices can support the head and reduce its burden, and help restore a normal head shape. However, they should be worn only after a professional doctor’s evaluation. Parents should not buy corrective helmets themselves as improper correction can cause damage to the baby’s head or brain.

Whether you are expectant or new parents, we hope you can pay more attention to your baby's head health and seize the golden period for improving your baby's head shape, paving the way for a healthy future for your baby. If you notice that your baby’s head is severely misshapen, seek professional treatment as soon as possible.

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