10/2/2025
How to Fix Baby's Flat Head Without a Helmet: A Step-by-Step Guide
If your baby has developed a flat spot on their head, you're not alone— 1 in 5 babies* experience some form of positional plagiocephaly (asymmetrical flattening) or positional brachycephaly (widening and flattening at the back of the head).
Many parents assume this happens because a baby's skull is soft, but that's not the full story. A baby's head grows rapidly, and it follows the path of least resistance . If a baby spends too much time lying on one side, the skull will grow less in that direction, causing a flat spot.
So, how can you fix your baby's flat head without a helmet ? The good news is that since 2004, helmet therapy has almost disappeared in the Netherlands. Instead, nearly all cases are successfully treated with repositioning techniques , which parents can do at home with the help of a pediatric physical therapist .
Here's exactly what you need to do to correct your baby's flat head naturally .
*Hutchison, B Lynne et al. “ Plagiocephaly and brachycephaly in the first two years of life: a prospective cohort study.” Pediatrics vol. 114.4 (2004): 970-80. doi:10.1542/peds.2003-0668-F
Step 1: Assess whether your baby needs intervention
Before starting repositioning exercises, first determine how severe the flat head is. Some cases improve on their own, while others need a bit of extra help.
✅ With the Skully Care app , you can take a photo of your baby's head and get personalized insights on the next steps. This will help you decide if simple adjustments are enough or if a specialist's guidance is needed.
Step 2: Start repositioning therapy at home
Once you know how flat your baby's head is, you can begin correcting it naturally:
🔹Mild cases: parents can perform repositioning techniques and exercises at home (see steps 3 and 4).
🔹Moderate cases: if the shape doesn't improve, consult a pediatric physiotherapist who specializes in repositioning therapy and can provide targeted exercises.
🔹Severe cases: while rare, some cases may require helmet therapy, but only if significant flattening persists after trying natural repositioning (see step 5).
💡 Tip: during a head shape consultation, a pediatric physiotherapist will review the measurements with you, answer your questions, and provide expert advice tailored to your baby.
Step 3: Increase tummy time (for mild cases)
One of the most effective ways to fix flat head syndrome naturally is tummy time. This simple technique reduces pressure on the back of the head and encourages balanced skull growth.
🔹 Start with a few minutes and gradually increase the duration.
🔹 Place your baby on their tummy while they are awake and supervised.
🔹 Use toys or make eye contact to keep them engaged.
The earlier you start, the better. Babies who enjoy tummy time tend to have stronger neck muscles, making it easier for them to turn their heads naturally and reduce pressure on any one spot.
Step 4: Practical repositioning exercises
If your baby already has a noticeable flat spot, specific repositioning exercises can help guide skull growth back to a rounder shape. These techniques gently encourage movement, ensuring that no single part of the head gets prolonged pressure.
🔹 Alternate sleeping positions: place your baby in the crib with their head facing a different direction each night. Babies naturally turn towards light and sound, so changing the position of the crib can help.
🔹 Change the way you hold and feed your baby: alternate arms during bottle-feeding so your baby isn't always resting on the same side.
🔹 Stimulate head movement: place toys, mirrors, or mobiles on the opposite side of your baby's preferred head position to encourage them to turn their heads naturally.
Video tutorials from Expert Pediatric Physiotherapists
Want to see exactly how to do these exercises? Watch our pediatric physical therapists with 30+ years of experience demonstrate the best techniques.
Find more exercises here .
💡 Tracking your baby's progress is essential
Since a baby's skull grows rapidly, small changes can make a big difference over time. take a photo of your baby's head every few weeks to monitor improvements. Use the Skully Care app to track their progress and adjust techniques if needed.
Step 5: When is a baby helmet necessary?
In most cases, flat head syndrome improves naturally with repositioning techniques and tummy time. However, in severe cases, a cranial helmet might still be recommended by a specialist.
A baby helmet may be considered if:
✔ Severe flattening is present: a cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) of 11% or higher or a cephalic index (CI) of 100% or higher at 4 months or older, especially if the baby hasn't started rolling over yet.
A pediatrician or specialist can assess your baby's head shape and provide personalized recommendations. However, in the Netherlands, nearly all cases are now treated successfully with repositioning techniques, making helmets a rare necessity.
Final thoughts
You can fix your baby's flat head without a helmet by starting repositioning techniques as early as possible.
✔ assess your baby's head shape to determine if action is needed (step 1)
✔ start repositioning therapy to correct the shape naturally (step 2)
✔ increase tummy time to reduce pressure on one side (step 3)
✔ use targeted exercises to guide skull growth (step 4)
✔ track head shape changes over time to measure progress
🔹 Because expert guidance? Use the Skully Care app to check your baby's head shape and get personalized advice.
🔹 Looking for a professional? Find a pediatric physiotherapist near you through this link .
if you have concerns, always consult a medical professional for personalized recommendations.
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.