KNOW THE FACTS ABOUT FLAT HEAD SYNDROME
Every baby is at risk of developing Flat Head Syndrome.
Percent of babies affected
- Flat Head Syndrome affects nearly 50% of babies being born in the United States today.
Develops during infancy
- Flat Head Syndrome usually develops in the first six months of a baby’s life.
Percentage increase
- There has been a 600% increase in Flat Head Syndrome since 1992.
The long-term effects
- Over time, Flat Head Syndrome can result in cognitive delays, motor delays, and visual impairments, as well as other medical problems.
The effects
- Babies with Flat Head Syndrome frequently develop one of several problems: plagiocephaly/brachycephaly and torticollis.
Importance of early prevention
- A baby’s skull becomes less soft and pliable as she grows, which is why the younger the baby is, the easier it will be to prevent and fix Flat Head Syndrome.
Before birth
- Though less common, babies can also be born with flat spots from being restricted in-utero or from the birthing process.
Help prevent Flat Head Syndrome
- Flat Head Syndrome is usually preventable and treatable.
What is Flat Head Syndrome?
As you know, babies are fragile; their heads are very soft and malleable during the first months of life and their necks are weak. And like their parents, babies have preferences for how they like to sleep.
During the first six months of life, a baby’s head can develop a flat spot due to constant pressure on a specific area.
What’s the root of the problem?
Babies these days are spending more time than ever on their backs.
Ever since the Back to Sleep program recommended that babies sleep on their backs to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), babies now spend the majority of their time, both awake and asleep, on their backs.
Whether they are resting in a crib, a carrier, a stroller, a bouncer, a play mat, a car seat, or nestled in the crook of your arm, babies’ heads will be resting in their preferred position, flat against a hard surface.
The more time babies spend lying on their backs—and these days it’s quite a bit— the more likely they are to develop a flat spot where their heads press against the mattress, car seat, or floor.
Medical Ramifications
The long and short term effects of Flat Head syndrome
While it is not necessarily dangerous in itself, Flat Head Syndrome can cause an assortment of medical issues down the line, including cognitive delays, motor delays, and visual impairments, and frequently results in babies developing several problems:
- Plagiocephaly: flattening on one side of the baby’s skull
- Brachycephaly: a flattening of the back of the baby’s skull
- Torticollis: unbalanced neck muscles that turn the head to one side
These particular medical conditions can result in a baby developing various other medical problems down the line, which is why it’s so vital to prevent Flat Head Syndrome from occurring in the first place and to attend to it as soon as it evidences.
Flat Head Syndrome is preventable & usually treatable
While working as a mother, neonatologist, and pediatrician, Dr. Scott witnessed first-hand the proliferation of Flat Head Syndrome and its associated medical issues. This inspired her to create the Tortle, a head repositioning beanie that helps to combat Flat Head Syndrome by periodically changing your baby’s head position, and thus preventing her from resting her head on one spot for too long.
Dr. Jane is an advocate for healthy movement and deliberate repositioning of an infant’s head from birth, as these actions are key to healthy development.
We want the best for your baby
Browse the inventory of Tortle products to discover the best solution for your baby.
