June 2026
Can Brachycephaly Correct Itself? Evidence-Based Guidance for Parents
You've noticed that the back of your baby's head looks flat, and the head seems a bit wider than usual from the front. The big question on your mind: will brachycephaly correct itself, or do we need to do something? The honest answer is: both can be true. Brachycephaly is a condition where the back of a baby's head becomes symmetrically flat due to repeated pressure. It does not mean there is any problem with brain development, but head shape should be monitored and measured carefully. In this article we explain when natural correction is likely, what the research says, and how to fix brachycephaly with exercises you can start today.
What is brachycephaly and how common is it?
Brachycephaly occurs when the back of the skull becomes evenly flattened, causing the head to appear wider than usual from the front. And it is far more common than most parents realise: around 15 to 20% of all babies develop a positional preference, that is 1 in 5.
Why does brachycephaly peak around 6 months?
Infant skull bones expand in areas where there is the least resistance, so repeated pressure on the back of the head limits growth there while the sides continue to widen. The timing of the peak follows your baby's motor development. In the first months, babies spend most of their time on their backs, and from around 3 months they play more and more in the midline, looking straight up. During this period, nearly all babies' heads grow more in width. Around 6 months, most babies learn to roll onto their tummy, and from that point the head starts growing more in length again. We see this pattern clearly in Skully Care measurements too: around 6 months there is often a "dip", the moment the head is at its widest. Both the prevalence and the severity of brachycephaly are highest at this age. Lying a lot in bouncers or carriers, delayed motor skills and little variation in movement can strengthen this pressure pattern. Read more about the mechanism in our article on what is brachycephaly.
Are some babies more at risk?
Yes, several risk factors are known, although a single clear cause is missing. Brachycephaly occurs more often in boys than in girls. One possible explanation: boys have a heavier head on average, so gravity puts more pressure on the skull. Other known risk factors are prematurity, being a firstborn, twins and multiples, and slower motor development. For plagiocephaly, flattening on the right side is clearly more common than on the left. If you recognise one or more of these factors, it is extra worthwhile to keep an eye on your baby's head shape from early on. Wondering whether your baby might have a flat spot? Answer a few quick questions below.
Can brachycephaly correct itself? What the research shows
So, can brachycephaly correct itself? In many cases, yes. Natural improvement is most likely between 5 and 7 months of age, when babies begin rolling, looking around, playing on their side and sometimes sitting, and spending less time on their backs. Increased movement reduces constant pressure and allows more balanced skull growth. And there is more good news for the longer term: research by Van Vlimmeren (2017), which followed children up to the age of 5, shows that plagiocephaly improves most until the second year of life and is stable after that, while brachycephaly can keep improving until at least the fifth year. Even after 12 months, when head growth has clearly slowed down, brachycephaly typically still improves by about one level on the CI scale. So the skull keeps working in your favour for years. That said: early detection before 4 months significantly increases the chance of improvement without helmet therapy.
How is severity measured?
Severity is measured using the Cephalic Index (CI), which compares head width to head length. In many clinical guidelines, a CI below 90 is considered within normal variation, 90 to 94 may indicate mild brachycephaly, 95 to 99 moderate to severe, and 100 or above severe to very severe widening. Objective measurement provides much clearer guidance than visual appearance alone, especially because a wide head can look very different depending on hair, angle and lighting.
How to fix brachycephaly: three exercises to start today
Wondering how to fix brachycephaly yourself? The answer is repositioning: early position changes, supervised side-lying and tummy time, and encouraging active movement all reduce pressure on the back of the head. Side-lying is the most valuable position: your baby can sustain it much longer than tummy time, and it takes all pressure off the flat area. The videos below show you exactly how to do each exercise.
Video: side-lying exercise
Video: tummy time exercise
Video: lap play exercise
Build these into moments you already have: side-lying after a nap, a short round of tummy time after every nappy change, lap play on the couch. Small moments, repeated throughout the day, add up to real progress.
When is helmet therapy considered?
In some cases where the measured severity of brachycephaly is higher than a CI of 100, a helmet can be very helpful. This is especially true if the baby shows no signs of rolling over or moving onto their side. It is best to start helmet therapy before the age of 6 months, as this is when it is most effective. But remember: helmets are the exception, not the rule. In the Netherlands, where head shape is measured early and treated promptly by paediatric physiotherapists, helmets are hardly ever needed anymore.
Will your baby's brachycephaly correct itself? Measure, don't guess
Whether brachycephaly will correct itself depends on the severity, your baby's age and how much your baby moves. The only way to know for sure is to measure. With the Skully Care app you measure your baby's head shape at home, with one photo on your smartphone. Within minutes you get an objective, clinically validated CI result and clear advice on the next step: repositioning exercises at home, or a paediatric physiotherapist near you. And by repeating the scan, you can see the improvement in real numbers, which is far more reliable than judging by eye. One thing to avoid along the way: positioning pillows or soft sleep devices. Safe sleep guidelines require a firm, flat sleep surface without added items.
Common questions: will brachycephaly correct itself?
Can moderate brachycephaly fix itself?
Moderate cases can fully correct when the baby starts moving early and with variation. Repositioning exercises strongly improve the odds.
At what age is treatment most effective?
Treatment is most effective between 2 and 4 months, when skull growth is fastest.
Until what age can brachycephaly improve?
Research shows brachycephaly can keep improving until at least the age of 5. Even after 12 months, it typically improves by about one more level on the CI scale.
Does brachycephaly affect brain development?
Positional brachycephaly does not affect brain growth.
Is helmet therapy always required?
No. Only when the CI is above 100, the baby is around 5 to 6 months old and shows no signs of rolling to their side or tummy.
How do I know the severity?
Clinical measurements using the Cephalic Index, such as the Skully Care app or a 3D scan, provide objective clarity. With the app you can do this yourself at home.
Writen by Elly van der Grift
Elly van der Grift is the co-founder of Skully Care and a pediatric physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience. Her mission is to provide top care for babies with skull deformities. With her infectious enthusiasm, she shares simple, effective tips that can make a big difference for your baby. Working with Elly, you'll feel confident and supported in your baby’s journey to better health.