3 Tips to Prevent Your Baby from Getting a Flat Head

The Danish Health Authority recommends that babies always sleep on their backs to ensure they are sleeping as safely as possible. This can cause their skulls to temporarily grow out of shape, also known as flat head syndrome. And it’s a good idea to act early  if your baby is showing signs of this. Luckily, flat head syndrome is very common, and there are many things you can do to help prevent or correct this. Read on for 3 simple tips from our professional expert, Physiotherapist, Rikke Randrup Skaaning. 

Highlights: 

• You can help prevent or correct flat head syndrome by:  
• Ensuring that your baby gets lots of tummy time when awake.  
• Alternating the direction your baby lies in the crib. 
• Stimulating your baby from both the left and the right side. 
• You can keep yourself updated on recommendations from the Danish Health Authority. 

Physiotherapist, Rikke Randrup Skaaning, explains the three helpful tips below. 

1. Give Your Baby Lots of Tummy Time 

“Babies need to spend lots of time on their tummy when they are awake and have their parents close by. This helps reduce the pressure on their skull, but it’s also quite essential for their development as it strengthens their stomach, back, and neck muscles, and their motor skills. Newborn tummy time may only be for a minute or two, but it should be repeated as often as possible. As your baby gets older, gradually increase the amount of time they spend on the tummy.”  

2. Alternate the Direction Your Baby Lies in the Crib

3. Stimulate Your Baby from Both Sides

In most cases, a flattened head can be corrected, and the sooner you take action the better. But even following the tips above, some babies will still develop flat parts on the back of their heads. If it doesn’t get better in time, or if you start to feel worried, please consult with your health visitor or doctor, and preferably as quickly as possible.  

Here you can update yourself on the Danish Health Authority’s recommendations for preventing flat head syndrome. We urge you to always keep yourself informed about the Danish Health Authority’s current recommendations on this subject.