Flat Head - Tips to Avoid It (and what to do if you notice a flat spot)

Newborn skull bones are soft, thin and flexible. They also have weak neck muscles and usually turn their heads to one side when placed on their back. It is because of these two reasons, it is extremely common for babies to develop a flat spot on their head. This is known as flat head syndrome, positional plagiocephaly, deformational plagiocephal and brachycephaly.

The good news is, as a parents there are some simple thigngs you can do throughout your day to either stop your baby developing a flat spot and/or stop the flat spot on your baby’s head from getting worse.

In this video I share these tips with you so you can prevent/limit flattening of the back of your baby's head. I also share what you should avoid.

✅ Get your free 0 - 12 months old developmental milestone chart here:

00:00-01:10 Intro
01:11-04:08 Types and Causes
04:09-05:40 Sleeping Tips to Prevent a Flat Head
05:41-06:36 Play Time Tips to Prevent a Flat Head
06:37-07:50 Carrying Tips to Prevent a Flat Head
07:51-08:10 Feeding Tips to Prevent a Flat Head
08:11-09:15 Play Time Tips when Lying on the Floor to Prevent a Flat Head
09:16-10:10 Things to Avoid
10:11- 11:08 When to Seek Help


#flathead #babydevelopment. #emmahubbard

Disclaimer:
The content on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

If you have any questions or concerns about the health of your child, yourself or a family member, always seek guidance from your doctor or a qualified health professional. The content on this channel does not substitute, supersede or replace the advice of a medical professional. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you have seen on this channel.

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[mimosasamosa]

The best way to prevent flat head is using a mustard seeds pillow. Make a small pillow and fill it with big size mustard seeds but don't fill it too densely. It works like a charm. Anyone who's interested can Google on how to make it.

[TonyC-pqbp]

As new parent I can't thank you enough for your help with our new born girl. You are awesome!!! 🥰

[victoriamossman]

I have a 3 week old baby and your videos have been so helpful!! Thank you

[Maes]

I feel guilty about my son’s head shape. When he was a baby, he spent a lot of time laying on his back because that’s what the hospital advised me to do. I was 22 and a first-time mother, and no one informed me about the potential issue with head shape and how to prevent it. After six months, I noticed that his head was flat, and I was upset that no one had warned me about it. Although his head shape has improved since then, it is still somewhat flat. I have carried this guilt since 2019, and I despise this feeling because I cannot go back in time to fix it. If I could, I would. I have become overly obsessed with comparing my son’s head to other people’s heads and questioning myself as a mother. It feels like everyone else knows about this issue except me. It was never discussed in my family, and I had no prior knowledge of it. Interestingly, my own head is also flat, but I was unaware of it.

[jennifervelasquez]

All of your videos are so helpful! Thank you so much for keeping all of your viewers so well informed. your videos have helped me so much with my baby ❤

[lynnleeulutau]

8:19 This has been super helpful!! So clear and simple. Thank you so much. I’ve shared this with my daughter as her baby needs head shaping help. 😊

[valentinag]

HI Emma, many thanks for all the videos, such an huge amount of information. Everything it's really well explained. I live in England and here the public health care NHS it's almost nonexistent and I found your videos super helpful, so... many many thanks again! I would like to know your opinion regarding the use of the following item: Red Castle Cocoonababy. I keep my baby in there for a couple of naps during the day for a about 2 hours each time. Do you think that it can cause any postural problem? Thanks again

[ChrystalDavis-pr]

Thanks for sharing! I don’t have relationship with my family and so my husband’s family mentioned to me about rotating baby’s head so I looked this video up for further information/details, and WOW!!! Great explanation, I feel well/properly informed and am thankful. Baby on the 🎉

[lailalulu]

I had a 6 month baby, with a extremly flat head, and the doctor recommand the helmet. I didnt want that, i told her give me two month to fix it, if i cant then we will get the helmet. Here we are he is 8 month and have the perfect round shape without buying the helmet. I started a 6 month of age to let him sleep on the side with a pillow behind his back and a long pillow infront, i wanted him to switch sides but he liked one side so i let him only sleep on one side. But it helped, i went to his doctor and she said its perfect and round not something she expected in 2 month.

[FelixDavila]

Thank you Emma for these videos! I am a new dad to a 1 week old baby, and these have been super useful!

[ioana-alexandracoman]

In the UK concerns over a baby's flat spot get dismissed on GP visits; every time they say it's cosmetic, there's nothing to worry about, it corrects itself with time. That is absolutely not true.

[nnekandibe]

I wish I saw this video 6 or 7 months ago. When my baby was newly born. Because I had no experience on how to take care of a baby. Now one part of his head is flats. Everything possible to see if I can get it back to place I don't know if it's gonna be possible one let's keep trying.
Thank you so much for putting out this video out hear because it's gonna help so many people.
People like me that didn't have any experience When I had my baby.
Thanks a lot good job

[countrysidelove]

This was really helpful my baby loves lying on my thighs and being held on the shoulders.. She's a month old I was getting worried about her head as she has a back flat head though its improving

[mickeemickee]

I'll be a new first time grandma soon. Thank you for all your wonderful tips

[Aloeveraaaaaa]

What if your baby still has it at 6.months? Shes rolling and sitting. So worried. GP said its fine but its not.

[oceana]

Emma, do you have any videos or advice on wrist tenosynovitis in Mums? I try to alternate the side I am carrying my 10 week bub, but definitely favour my dominant side as it feels more secure. Now I have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and it’s pretty excruciating! 😅😢

[elinakampara]

I wish there was a video like this when my daughter was born. She had tightened muscle in neck, it sorted itself out at 4 months but left one side of head slightly misshapen. Now age 4 it’s not as bad but you can still see difference. Luckily she is a girl and has a lot of hair.

[temionasanwo]

@EmmaHubbard please a quick question, if the baby has developed flat side on the right side, do I correct it by repositioning them to start lying on their left side? But my question is wont the flat side be transferred to the left side after a while? Or are we supposed to be alternating or just strictly stick to the left side to correct the right side flatness?

Really hoping this gets a repaonse🙏🏽

[babie]

Hi, do you have ways to help with sticking ears? I think you are amazing!!!

[nicoleliggett]

My baby has his very own soft my pillow that he has slept on since birth. It keeps him on his back by cradling him just enough and it keeps him elevated because he had breathing issues as a brand new baby. I also used it for feedings. He has never slept on a hard surface and other than his pillow he has slept on his tummy on my chest 24/7. I know this is all said to be bad but as parents we find things that work for us and our children and I would never do anything that was unsafe for him. As a mother of 6 I have picked up tips and tricks to make motherhood a bit less stressful especially in the exhausting newborn stage. Everything I do I also run by his pediatrician for clearance.