Plagiocephaly

The shape of your baby's head should improve naturally over time as their skull develops and they start moving their head, rolling around, and crawling.

Simple measures to take pressure off the flattened part of their head can also help:

• give your baby time on their tummy during the day encourage them to try new positions during play time, but make sure they always sleep on their back asthis is safest for them
• switch your baby between a sloping chair, asling and a flat surface this ensures there isn't constant pressure on one part of their head
• change the position oftoys and mobiles in their cot this will encourage your babyto turn their head on to the non-flattened side
• alternate the side you hold your babywhen feeding and carrying
• reduce the time your baby spends lying on a firm flat surface, such as car seats and prams try usinga sling or front carrier when practical

If your baby has difficulty turning their head, physiotherapy may help loosen and strengthen their neck muscles.Corrective surgery may be needed if they havecraniosynostosis.

Your baby's head may not return to a completelyperfect shape, but by the time they're one or two years old any flattening will be barely noticeable.

More severe cases will also get better over time, although some flattening willusually remain.

As your child becomes more mobile and their hair grows, the appearance of their head should improve. It's very rare for a child toexperience problems such as teasingwhen they reach school age.

You may consider using ahelmet or headband if you're worried about your child, but it's not clear whether these always work.You should also bear in mind the inconvenience, expense, and possible discomfort for you andyour child.