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View our privacy policySpecial pillows are often sold as a way to help with flat head syndrome, but there is no clear evidence that they work. Pillows and soft items can also be unsafe in a baby’s sleep space. If you’re worried about your baby’s head shape, safer options include tummy time, repositioning and early advice.
It’s completely normal for parents to feel concerned if they notice their baby’s head developing flat spots or becoming misshapen. Often, this is a sign of flat head syndrome, or positional plagiocephaly. This condition happens when pressure is applied to a baby’s soft skull, causing it to change shape. This pressure can come from things like the way they sleep, time spent in car seats, or even the way their head is positioned during childbirth.
Flat head syndrome can often be managed, especially when advice is given early. The right support depends on your baby’s age, head shape and how noticeable the flattening is.
You may have seen special pillows being marketed as a solution to prevent flat head syndrome. These pillows come in different shapes and sizes, and some cost less than £10.00 online. But, unfortunately, the answer is no, these pillows don’t actually work. What’s more, they can be unsafe.
The biggest concern with these pillows is safety. Experts, including those from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust, strongly advise against using pillows or any soft objects in your baby’s crib. These items increase the risk of suffocation, which can lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Flat head syndrome can happen when a baby rests on the same part of their head for long periods. Since the Back to Sleep campaign, babies sleep more safely on their backs, which has helped reduce sudden infant death syndrome. But it can also mean some babies develop flattening at the back or side of the head.
You should still always place your baby on their back to sleep. If you’re concerned about their head shape, there are safe ways to help.
![A doll lies in an unsafe infant sleeping environment at the Family Health Care clinic at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital, Alaska. Photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Morales [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.](https://www.londonorthotics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/all_about_babies_class_is_back-_baby_151223-f-wt808.jpg)
The best thing you can do is follow the advice from the Back to Sleep campaign: always place your baby on their back to sleep, with no pillows or soft objects around them. This helps reduce the risk of SIDS. But we know you don’t want your baby’s head to become misshapen either, so here’s what you can do:
At LOC, we offer bespoke orthotic treatment with our LOCband helmets. These are custom-made to fit your baby’s head perfectly, and they help guide the skull back into shape. The process is comfortable, and the results are usually impressive. Typically, the treatment takes around three to six months, and the earlier we start, the better the outcome. Research shows that 94.4% of babies treated with helmets achieve full correction of their flat head.
The safest option is always a bare crib. Avoid using pillows, wedges, or any sleep positioners that claim to prevent flat head syndrome. These products haven’t been shown to work, and they can be risky.
At LOC, we follow all the expert guidelines to ensure your baby’s safety. Our team is here to support you and offer the best treatment options for your baby’s needs.
Backed by clinical research, LOCband Lite is a non-invasive cranial remoulding helmet designed to support a more balanced head shape over time. Results vary depending on age, severity and daily wear time.
“From the very start, everyone at the London Orthotic Consultancy was professional and friendly. Every step of the way was well-explained and the fitting was quick. It only took Magnus one day to get used to the band, and after that, he wasn’t bothered by it at all. And, most importantly, it worked!”
Maria, Magnus’s mother – Plagiocephaly patient
Speak to our team about your options, with no obligation to begin treatment.
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