Understanding plagiocephaly and how osteopathy may help your baby
As a parent, noticing a flat spot on your baby’s head can be worrying. You may have heard the term plagiocephaly, which describes the flattening of one part of a baby’s skull. It’s a relatively common condition.
So, why might you consider taking your baby to an osteopath for this? And how could it help?
Understanding flat head in babies
Babies’ skulls are naturally soft and malleable to allow for growth and birth. If a baby spends long periods lying in one position — such as on their back or with their head always turned to one side — this can lead to flattening of the skull. Sometimes, tightness in the neck muscles (often related to positioning in the womb or during delivery) can make it harder for a baby to turn their head evenly, contributing to this flatness.
How can an Osteopath help?
At Bodywell Healthcare, we take a whole-body, baby-led approach to care — and that starts with listening.
1. A thorough history and gentle assessment
Your first appointment begins with a detailed conversation about your baby’s birth, feeding, sleep, and development. We want to understand what’s going on, what you’ve noticed, and what matters most to you.
We then carry out a gentle, hands-on assessment of your baby’s head shape, body symmetry, and neck movement. We also check important developmental markers — including the anterior fontanelle (the soft spot on the top of the head), which normally remains open until around 12–18 months. This helps us determine whether osteopathic care is appropriate, or whether referral to another health professional is needed.
2. Addressing movement and tension
Babies may favour turning their head to one side due to tightness in the neck, jaw, shoulders or spine — often linked to positioning in utero, delivery, or feeding habits. Osteopathic treatment uses gentle techniques to help reduce tension and encourage more balanced, comfortable movement.
By improving neck mobility and reducing soft tissue restrictions, we aim to support your baby in turning their head more freely and evenly — which in turn helps reduce pressure on the flattened area of the skull.
3. Individualised positioning and exercises
We provide tailored advice on positioning, stretches, and tummy time strategies that you can use at home to support your baby’s progress. These are designed to:
- Encourage your baby to move off the flattened area of the head
- Promote more even muscle use and posture
- Support symmetrical development
These simple home strategies can be very effective when used alongside hands-on care.
4. Collaborative and considered care
If we feel your baby needs input from a paediatrician, or another specialist, we’ll let you know and help coordinate that care. Our goal is to ensure your baby receives the right treatment, at the right time — even if that’s not with us.
When should you seek help?
If you notice your baby has a consistent head-turning preference, seems to dislike tummy time, or has a flat spot that’s not improving, it’s worth having them assessed. Early intervention can be very effective, particularly in the first few months when the skull is most responsive to change.
Book an appointment
If you’re concerned about your baby’s head shape or would like an osteopathic assessment, we’re here to help. You don’t need a referral, and we’re happy to chat through any questions you may have before your visit.
Book an appointment with one of our osteopaths here