Plagiocephaly & Head Shape Concerns in Babies

Does Your Baby’s Head Look Different?

Parents may notice:

• Flattening on one side of the back of the head
• Flattening across the entire back of the head
• One ear appearing slightly farther forward
• A fuller forehead on one side
• Baby consistently resting or looking toward the same direction
• Difficulty comfortably turning the head both ways
• A noticeable head tilt
• Preference for feeding from one side
• Uneven positioning during tummy time
• Asymmetry that seems to become more noticeable over time

The shape of your baby's head is only part of the picture. We also want to understand how your baby is moving.

Head Shape Can Reflect Positioning

A baby's skull is made of developing plates that remain flexible to allow room for rapid brain growth.

Positional plagiocephaly describes asymmetrical flattening that can develop when one area of the skull experiences repeated pressure.

Brachycephaly generally describes broader flattening across the back of the head.

These positional head shape changes are different from craniosynostosis, a less common condition in which skull sutures close prematurely and which requires medical evaluation.

Your pediatrician can help determine whether your baby's head shape appears positional or whether further evaluation is needed.

Why Does Your Baby Keep Choosing That Position?

Rather than looking only at the shape of the skull, we believe it is important to ask:

Why is my baby repeatedly resting in the same position?

For some babies, positioning may simply be habitual. For others, there may also be:

• Head preference
• Limited neck movement
• Torticollis
• Body tension
• Asymmetrical movement
• Difficulty tolerating tummy time
• Birth or prenatal positioning factors
• Limited opportunities for varied movement
• Extended awake time in car seats, swings, or other containers

If a baby can comfortably move their head and body through a variety of positions, they have more opportunities to naturally change where pressure is placed on the skull.

That is why movement and mobility matter.

Growing Bodies Are Designed to Move

During infancy, movement provides the developing nervous system with constant sensory information about the body and the environment.

Turning the head, reaching, kicking, lifting during tummy time, rolling, and eventually sitting and crawling all give babies opportunities to develop new movement strategies.

Comfortable head, neck, spinal, shoulder, and trunk mobility gives babies more opportunities to change position and experience movement from both sides.

When movement is restricted or consistently asymmetrical, a baby may spend more time in the same position and have fewer opportunities to explore movement in the opposite direction.

At Mojica Chiropractic Care, we believe supporting comfortable, age-appropriate movement is an important part of supporting a developing body.

A Gentle, Conservative Approach to Mobility

One of the first things we can evaluate is whether the child has the physical mobility needed to comfortably experience movement.

Dr. Liz uses age-appropriate, gentle chiropractic techniques designed to support comfortable spinal and joint mobility when restrictions or tension patterns are identified.

Our focus is on helping create better opportunities for movement—not reshaping the skull with an adjustment.

Start by giving the body the opportunity to move well, then observe how the child uses that movement.

Chiropractic care does not replace pediatric evaluation or cranial treatment when those services are indicated.

Understand the Movement Before Jumping Ahead

When a parent first notices positional flattening, it is reasonable to begin by understanding both the baby's head shape and the movement patterns associated with it.

After discussing the head shape concern with your pediatrician, conservative strategies may include:

• Increasing supervised tummy time
• Providing more opportunities for free movement while awake
• Encouraging attention toward both sides
• Alternating feeding and holding positions
• Reducing unnecessary awake time in containers
• Addressing head preference or limited mobility when present

Dr. Liz can assess whether joint mobility, physical tension, or asymmetrical movement patterns may be contributing to how your baby prefers to position their body.

Additional therapy or cranial evaluation may be appropriate depending on your baby's findings, age, and severity of head shape change.

More Movement While Awake—Back to Sleep

Continue placing your baby on their back for every sleep on a firm, flat sleep surface.

Do not use pillows, wedges, sleep positioners, or other devices to change head shape during sleep.

Instead, create movement opportunities while your baby is awake and supervised. Ideas may include:

• Frequent supervised tummy time
• Floor play
• Placing interesting toys or faces on different sides
• Alternating which arm you use to carry your baby
• Alternating feeding positions when appropriate
• Allowing plenty of safe, unrestricted movement

Always follow your pediatrician's recommendations for your baby's individual needs.

Every Baby’s Situation Is Different

Head shape concerns exist on a spectrum.

Some mild positional changes improve as babies become stronger, move more independently, and spend less time resting on the same area of the head.

Other babies may need additional support. Depending on age, severity, movement restrictions, and response to conservative measures, your pediatrician may recommend:

• Physical therapy
• Craniofacial or specialist evaluation
• Cranial orthosis or helmet evaluation
• Additional medical assessment

Helmet therapy may be considered for persistent moderate-to-severe plagiocephaly or for babies who present later with more significant asymmetry.

The goal is not to choose one profession over another—it is to identify what your baby needs and intervene appropriately.

Have Head Shape Changes Evaluated

Talk with your baby's pediatrician when you notice:

• Increasing head flattening
• Significant asymmetry
• Persistent head tilt
• Difficulty turning the head
• Facial asymmetry
• A ridge or unusual shape of the skull
• Concerns present from birth
• Head shape that is worsening rather than improving
• Concerns about your baby's movement or development

A pediatric provider can help distinguish common positional flattening from conditions requiring specialized evaluation.

You May Also Be Noticing

Movement Builds on Movement

The skills babies develop early create opportunities for the skills that follow.

As your child grows, we continue to pay attention to movement quality, symmetry, coordination, milestones, sensory regulation, and the communication between the brain and body.

For children who later demonstrate broader developmental, movement, sensory, or regulation concerns, Mojica Chiropractic Care is developing:

Rooted Pathways: A Neurodevelopment Program

This program will take a deeper look at developmental movement patterns, primitive reflexes, sensory regulation, and brain-body communication through a collaborative model of care.

Gentle Care From the Beginning

Dr. Liz is certified in chiropractic pediatrics and uses techniques specifically adapted for babies and developing children. Care is individualized according to your baby's age, history, movement, comfort, and current needs.

Learn More

Why Is My Baby Developing a Flat Spot?

Explain positional head shape changes, pressure, movement, and common factors parents may notice.

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Plagiocephaly and Head Preference: What’s the Connection?

Explore why a baby who repeatedly looks toward one side may place more pressure on the same area of the skull.

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Tummy Time and Head Shape: What Parents Should Know

Explain the role of supervised awake movement while reinforcing safe back sleeping.

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