Will sleeping with the head to one side cause a flat head?

We were already doing the useful part

Ari kept turning her head towards the same side in her sleep, and we worried about her head shape. We were already changing which direction she faced. That was useful—as long as she still started every sleep on her back.

A baby’s skull is soft because it is growing quickly. Repeated pressure on one area can create a flat spot without anybody having done something wrong.

Change the view, not the sleep position

We changed which end of the cot Ari’s head went at, alternated carrying and feeding sides, and moved the interesting thing she wanted to look at.

Tummy time while awake and watched also removed pressure from the back of her head. As babies roll, sit and turn more, many mild flat spots improve.

Safe sleep does not change for head shape

We did not use a head-shaping pillow, wedge or positioner. Nothing went into the cot to hold Ari in place.

If your baby always turns one way, resists the other side, has neck tightness or the flattening is worsening, ask early. Physiotherapy can help when neck tightness is part of the problem.