Clear, gentle explanations of the conditions we treat, plus practical guides on helmeting and positioning. Everything you need to understand your baby's care, in one place.
Congenital muscular torticollis is a tightening or shortening of one of the muscles on the side of the neck. It makes it harder for your baby to turn their head freely, so they tend to tilt their head to one side and turn their chin toward the other.
Plagiocephaly, often called flat-head syndrome, is a flattening of one part of a baby's soft, fast-growing skull from steady pressure. It is common, not painful, and usually improves with early repositioning and therapy.
Flattening on one side, giving the head an asymmetrical, slanted look when viewed from above.
Flattening across the whole back of the head, making it look wide and flat at the back.
A long, narrow head, more common in babies who spend a lot of time on their side, and often seen in premature infants.
A cranial helmet can help reshape a baby's head in certain cases, but many babies never need one. Here is a calm, clear explanation to help you understand your options.
A cranial remoulding helmet (orthosis) is a lightweight, custom-made helmet designed to gently guide a baby's head growth toward a more even shape. It works by leaving room over the flattened areas so the fast-growing skull naturally fills them in, while resting lightly against the rounder areas.
Helmets are custom-fitted by a specialist orthotist and are typically worn about 23 hours a day for a few months, with regular reviews to track progress. They do not squeeze or force the head, they simply redirect natural growth.
There is no single rule, and the decision is always individual, made with your healthcare team. Generally, helmet therapy is considered when several of the following apply.
Because helmets rely on rapid skull growth, they work best when started within a specific window, often quoted as around 4 to 6 months and up to about 12 months. This is another reason early assessment is so valuable. It keeps every option open and gives repositioning the best chance to work first.
Sejal assesses your baby's head shape, neck movement and development to understand the cause of the flattening, often a treatable head-turning preference or torticollis.
A structured plan of repositioning, tummy time and hands-on therapy is usually the first step, and is often enough on its own.
Progress is tracked over time. If the flattening is significant and not improving, Sejal can guide you on next steps and referral for a helmet assessment.
Small, everyday changes in how your baby lies, plays and is carried can prevent flat spots, encourage balanced movement and support development. Here are simple, practical resources to use at home.
Supervised time on the tummy while your baby is awake is one of the most valuable things you can do. It takes pressure off the back of the head, strengthens the neck, shoulders and back, and builds the foundations for rolling, sitting and crawling.
Start from day one with a few minutes at a time, several times a day, and build up gradually toward a total of about an hour a day by a few months of age. Short, frequent sessions are gentler and more effective than one long stretch, and they fit far more easily into your baby's day.
Babies grow into the positions they spend the most time in. Varying that pressure, and encouraging your baby to look both ways, helps keep the head round and movement symmetrical.
Positioning tips are for your baby's awake, supervised time. For every sleep, both naps and night, the safest position is always on the back.
Special flat-head pillows and sleep positioners are not recommended for unsupervised sleep, because they can pose a safety risk. The safest and most effective tools are free: back sleeping, plenty of tummy time, varied positioning, and early physiotherapy if a flat spot appears.
Positioning does a lot, but it cannot stretch a tight neck muscle on its own. If your baby strongly resists turning one way, keeps a favoured head position, or a flat spot is developing despite your efforts, that is a sign to have them assessed.