3 Ways a Baby Pillow Helps Prevent Flat Head Syndrome

Many parents worry about their baby developing a flat head and look for ways to prevent this. If you are a concerned parent, it is essential to know what flat head syndrome is, whether a baby pillow can prevent it, are baby pillows safe, and what to look for in a baby pillow to prevent the development of flat head syndrome. 

What is flat head syndrome?

Flat head syndrome is also called plagiocephaly. A newborn’s head is soft and sensitive. Flat head syndrome means a baby’s head has developed flat spots on their side or back. There are two causes of flat head syndrome:

• The primary cause is that your baby does not move enough while sleeping.
• When a baby is born vaginally, it may have an oddly shaped head due to the pressure they experience moving through the birth canal.

Ways to prevent flat head syndrome

One way to prevent a flat head is to make sure your baby changes its position while sleeping. You can help them change positions from sleeping on their back to sleeping on their tummies. An easier way to avoid the development of flat head syndrome is using a baby pillow made to avoid flat head syndrome.

Can a baby pillow really help with baby flat head syndrome?

A clinical study compared baby pillows and stretching to ease flat head syndrome in babies younger than five months. The study found that baby pillows improved positional cranial deformation better than stretching.

How does a baby pillow help to prevent flat head syndrome?

A flat head pillow eases pressure on the baby’s skull before it hardens. Here are the ways a baby pillow helps to prevent flat head syndrome:

1. Improve breathability

When a baby is experiencing difficulties breathing, a plagiocephaly pillow can help them breathe easier. The pillow volume should be 94% air to achieve this. Most flat head pillows have TUV certification, meaning their anti-suffocating feature has been tested to see if it allows easy airflow. Manufacturers make these pillows from cotton or 3d fiber. 

2. Redistribute pressure

A baby develops a flat head when they lie too long in one position, such as on their back. The best pillow to address this issue eases the pressure on the baby’s head while lying down. A plagiocephaly pillow works by redistributing the pressure on all sides of the baby’s head.

3. Allows free head movement

The best pillows for flat head syndrome allow the baby to move their heads 180 degrees to help them sleep comfortably. In this manner, it relieves pressure on the baby’s neck muscle and head.