{"id":23305,"date":"2022-03-08T17:51:12","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T16:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/news-approfondimenti\/plagiocefalia-posizionale-nel-neonato-prevenzione-e-buone-pratiche-per-uno-sviluppo-cranico-armonico\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T09:54:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T08:54:03","slug":"positional-plagiocephaly-in-infants-prevention-and-best-practices-for-harmonious-cranial-development","status":"publish","type":"news-approfondimenti","link":"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/positional-plagiocephaly-in-infants-prevention-and-best-practices-for-harmonious-cranial-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Positional plagiocephaly in infants: prevention and best practices for harmonious cranial development"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Newborn health is one of the foundational pillars of the Baby Wellness principle<\/em>, which promotes the child\u2019s overall well-being from the very first days of life. Among the conditions that may appear in the early months, positional plagiocephaly<\/strong>\u2014commonly known as \u201cflat head syndrome\u201d\u2014is particularly widespread today, often as a consequence of the correct medical recommendations for the prevention of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).<\/p>\n

Why does plagiocephaly occur?<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

After birth, a newborn spends most of their time lying on their back<\/strong>. While this position is essential for reducing the risk of SIDS, it can, in some cases, lead to cranial deformities due to prolonged pressure<\/strong> on the same area of the skull.
\nIn the early months of life, the infant’s cranial bones are soft and easily moldable<\/strong>\u2014a physiological characteristic that facilitates passage through the birth canal but also makes them vulnerable to postural deformation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Types of positional cranial deformities<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

The term \u201cplagiocephaly\u201d is commonly used to describe a range of positional skull irregularities<\/strong> in infants. The most common types include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Plagiocephaly<\/strong>: the most common form of flat head, it occurs when a flat spot develops on one side of the head. This can lead to an uneven and asymmetric appearance of the skull and face.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Brachycephaly<\/strong>: characterized by a flat spot on the back of the head. Infants with brachycephaly often have unusually wide and high heads, protruding ears, and a face that appears small in proportion to the head.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Scaphocephaly<\/strong>: occurs when an infant spends long periods sleeping on their side. This results in an unusually long and narrow head shape.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Positional skull deformities are most likely to develop within the first 8 weeks of life<\/strong>. Early monitoring of the infant\u2019s head shape, in collaboration with a pediatrician, is essential for timely intervention while cranial sutures are still soft and malleable.<\/p>\n

        Prevention and recommended supports<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

        To prevent or correct positional plagiocephaly, several simple strategies can be adopted:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • Choose a semi-rigid mattress with postural support<\/strong>: specially designed devices help distribute head weight evenly and encourage lateral head rotation, preventing fixed positioning.<\/li>\n
        • Gently rotate the infant\u2019s head<\/strong> during sleep if they tend to turn to the same side.<\/li>\n
        • Vary the source of visual and auditory stimuli<\/strong> by changing the orientation of the crib or stroller.<\/li>\n
        • Alternate the arm used during feeding<\/strong> to prevent the baby from consistently turning their head in one direction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          @Inglesina Baby Spa \u2013 Welcome Pad<\/em><\/p>\n

          Beneficial motor techniques and stimulations
          \n<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

          One of the most effective practices is Tummy Time<\/strong>\u2014placing the baby on their tummy while awake and supervised. Short sessions (10\u201315 minutes, 2\u20133 times a day) offer multiple benefits:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Reduces pressure on the back of the skull<\/li>\n
          • Strengthens neck and shoulder muscles<\/li>\n
          • Stimulates free movement and sensory exploration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Other recommended actions include:<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Encouraging frontal eye contact<\/strong>, properly supporting the baby\u2019s head<\/li>\n
            • Motivating the infant to track the parent’s face or voice with their eyes and head<\/strong><\/li>\n
            • Placing the baby tummy-down on a lap or thighs for cuddle time<\/strong> under close supervision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
              Potential consequences of untreated plagiocephaly<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n

              If cranial asymmetry is left untreated, it can lead to:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Permanent aesthetic asymmetries<\/li>\n
              • Visual disorders due to poor eye alignment<\/li>\n
              • Jaw misalignment and difficulties in sucking or chewing<\/li>\n
              • Increased risk of middle ear infections<\/li>\n
              • Postural complications, such as trouble maintaining an upright back<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Early intervention is essential\u2014preventive and corrective measures should begin in the first few months of life.<\/p>\n

                Positional plagiocephaly is a common condition, but one that is largely preventable and treatable<\/strong> when approached with awareness and timely action. Proper postural hygiene, targeted ergonomic supports, and early motor stimulation activities can make a significant difference in ensuring healthy and harmonious cranial development.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                Newborn health is one of the foundational pillars of the Baby Wellness principle, which promotes the child\u2019s overall well-being from the very first days of life. Among the conditions that may appear in the early months, positional plagiocephaly\u2014commonly known as \u201cflat head syndrome\u201d\u2014is particularly widespread today, often as a consequence of the correct medical recommendations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":23307,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"focus-approfondimento":[886],"focus-appartenenza":[],"coauthors":[110],"class_list":["post-23305","news-approfondimenti","type-news-approfondimenti","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","focus-approfondimento-cranial-development-and-postural-well-being"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nPositional plagiocephaly in infants: prevention and best practices for harmonious cranial development - Baby Wellness Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/babywellnessfoundation.org\/en\/news-approfondimenti\/positional-plagiocephaly-in-infants-prevention-and-best-practices-for-harmonious-cranial-development\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Positional plagiocephaly in infants: prevention and best practices for harmonious cranial development - Baby Wellness Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Newborn health is one of the foundational pillars of the Baby Wellness principle, which promotes the child\u2019s overall well-being from the very first days of life. 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