Flat head syndrome doesn’t affect a baby’s brain growth. But having a stiff neck can slow early development. Physical therapy for torticollis should include a check of the baby’s progress and extra exercises to treat any delays.

The intuitive notion that a “big brain” means “more intelligent” was first threatened some time ago, when we discovered animals with larger brains than ours: elephants and whales.

Science says larger brains are correlated with higher intelligence, but size alone isn’t the cause. It’s common to hear people say that the size of your brain has nothing to do with your level of intelligence. So yes: On average, people with bigger heads tend to be more intelligent. (Great news for lollipop people.)

Macrocephaly is also associated with social difficulties and delayed onset of language10. Do some people with autism have an unusually small head instead? Yes, some autistic people have a small head, or microcephaly, although this seems to be much less common than macrocephaly — and much less is known about it1.

How Is Flat Head Syndrome Treated?

1. Practice tummy time. Provide plenty of supervised time for your baby to lie on the stomach while awake during the day.
2. Vary positions in the crib. Consider how you lay your baby down in the crib.
3. Hold your baby more often.
4. Change the head position while your baby sleeps.

It can take 9-18 months before a baby’s skull is fully formed. During this time some babies develop positional plagiocephaly.

How is an uneven head shape treated?

1. Change direction. Continue to place your baby on his or her back to sleep, but alternate the direction your baby’s head faces when you place him or her in the crib.
2. Hold your baby.
3. Try tummy time.

What is Normal? Parents spend so much time with their baby, recognizing an abnormal head shape can sometimes be difficult. We’ve found it can be helpful to see examples of a normal head shape before looking at abnormal ones. Normally, the head is about 1/3 longer than it is wide and rounded at the back.

Your touch should be gentle at first. Spend some time rubbing each of their body parts, starting with their head and moving gradually down to their feet. There’s no specific recommended time for the massage. Each part of the massage should last as long as you and your baby are enjoying it.

Many babies will go to sleep when their heads are stroked slowly. Picture 1 Gently rub the baby’s head to help her fall asleep. Some babies will calm down when swinging in an infant swing. Others just get more fussy.

Baby oil and other mineral oils may be a good options to treat scalp problems in babies, like cradle cap. This scalp irritation is similar to dandruff. Massage baby oil into your baby’s scalp to help loosen and remove dry, scaly skin. Similarly, baby oil may help prevent and get rid of dandruff in children and adults.

Safflower oil is a cold-pressed vegetable oil that contains vitamin E. Cold-pressed means that it’s less processed than other kinds of oils. This makes it a good choice to use as a massage oil for your baby.

Most families give a daily massage to their baby for the first year. Many families continue giving massages, though less frequently, until their child is five years or six years of age. There is no age limit to giving a massage or stopping them. You can continue giving massages to your baby for as long as you wish.

Use baby oil during a baby massage for a bonding experience that is relaxing for both you and your little one. Baby oil locks in up to 10 times more moisture on wet skin than an ordinary lotion can on dry skin, leaving you and your baby’s skin soft and smooth.