Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
Flat head syndrome is common in young babies, it does not affect the brain or development, and it usually gets better on its own within one to two years. What helps most is plenty of supervised tummy time while your baby is awake and changing how they lie and are held during the day. Your baby should still sleep on their back every time.
That is the summary from the NHS page on flat head syndrome. Noticing a flat patch can still be worrying, so here is what it is, what you can do and when to ask a doctor to take a look.
What flat head syndrome looks like
The NHS describes two main types:
- Plagiocephaly: the head is flat on one side. Seen from above, it can look a little lopsided.
- Brachycephaly: the head is flat at the back, which can make it look wide.
A baby's skull is soft, so steady pressure on one spot can reshape it. The NHS lists the common causes as spending a lot of time with the back or side of the head pressed against the mattress, and tight neck muscles, called torticollis, which make it hard for a baby to turn their head one way. Some babies are born with a flat area, often after a premature birth.
Why back sleeping still matters
Lying on the back puts pressure on the back of the head, but it is also the safest way for babies to sleep. Both the NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics say babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, for naps as well as at night, because it lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Do not put your baby on their tummy or side to sleep to change their head shape, and do not use pillows, wedges or rolled towels in the cot to hold the head in place.
What helps
Tummy time every day
The AAP guide Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play says you can start tummy time the day your baby comes home. Begin with short sessions two to three times a day and build up to a total of 15 to 30 minutes a day by about seven weeks. Good moments are after a nappy change or when your baby wakes from a nap. Stay with your baby the whole time; the NHS says never to leave a baby alone on their tummy.
Lie down at your baby's level, or put a toy just out of reach or a few toys in a circle around them. A soft mat and a couple of high contrast toys for babies give them something to look at.
If your baby protests at first, keep sessions short and try again later in the day.
Vary their position while they are awake
- Move toys and mobiles so your baby turns their head both ways when they are on their back.
- Switch the side you feed and carry them on.
- Alternate which end of the cot you place their feet, so they look out at the room from a different side. The AAP notes babies turn toward light and interesting things.
- Limit time in car seats, bouncers and swings when you are not travelling. The AAP says these add pressure on the back of the head. Lift your baby out for floor play or a cuddle instead.
Treatment
For most babies, the changes above are the treatment, and the NHS says the shape often improves in around one to two years as the head grows and your baby spends less time on their back. If your baby seems to have tight neck muscles or always turns one way, ask your doctor what to do next.
Helmets and headbands are sold privately for flat head syndrome. The NHS does not provide them because there is not enough evidence that they work. Talk to your paediatrician before you consider one.
When to see a doctor
The NHS suggests seeing a doctor if:
- you are concerned about the shape or size of your baby's head
- your baby's head is always tilted to one side, or they have difficulty turning their head
Rarely, an unusual head shape can be a sign of something more serious, such as a condition called craniosynostosis. A doctor can tell the difference by examining your baby, which is why it is worth asking at a routine check up if you are unsure. Taking a photo from above every few weeks helps you show any change.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
