What Causes Brachycephaly in Babies

Brachycephaly and plagiocephaly are commonly caused by the baby sleeping on their back every night. The back or one side of the baby’s head (if their head naturally rolls to the side) is squashed against a firm mattress for a long time, which eventually forces the soft bone of the skull to flatten.

How can brachycephaly be prevented?

give your baby time on their tummy during the day – encourage them to try new positions during play time, but make sure they always sleep on their back as this is safest for them. switch your baby between a sloping chair, a sling and a flat surface – this ensures there isn’t constant pressure on 1 part of their head.

Can babies be born with brachycephaly?

Congenital Causes of Brachycephaly Prenatal moulding during birth: a baby could be born with a brachycephaly head shape due to positioning in the womb or descent into the birth canal. We often see babies who have been in the back to back position prenatally.