How Can Osteopathy Help Correct Your Baby's Flat Head Syndrome?

Does your baby have cranial asymmetry or a flat head, also known as plagiocephaly? 

Are you looking for an effective solution to help them? Pediatric osteopathy is a gentle and tailored approach that can make a real difference. Here’s how our osteopaths in Montreal and Boucherville can support you.

What Is Plagiocephaly in Infants?

Plagiocephaly, often called 'flat head syndrome,' is an asymmetrical flattening of the skull. This condition is typically benign and caused by positional factors. It can result from:

• Prolonged time spent lying on the back;
• Congenital torticollis limiting head movement;
• Restricted in-utero positioning during pregnancy.

Why Consult an Osteopath for Your Baby's Flat Head Syndrome?

If you notice that your baby consistently turns their head to the same side or has a cranial deformation, it’s best to act quickly. Pediatric osteopaths are trained to address these issues using specialized techniques.

During the consultation, the osteopath will:

• Perform a thorough evaluation of your baby's prenatal and postnatal history;
• Conduct gentle manual tests to identify restricted mobility areas of the entire body and skull;
• Apply tailored techniques to help restore balance and symmetry to the skull.

When Should You Consult for Plagiocephaly?

Ideally, it is recommended to consult a specialized osteopath (Auriane from our team in Montreal or Manon in Boucherville) before your baby reaches 6 months of age. During this period, the infant's skull is still soft and malleable, making treatment more effective.

At-Home Solutions to Complement Osteopathic Care

Alongside osteopathic sessions, here are some tips to promote symmetrical skull growth for your baby:

• Encourage head rotation: Place toys, lights, or sounds on the opposite side of the flatness to encourage your baby to turn their head.
• Increase tummy time: Tummy playtime strengthens neck muscles and improves head control.
• Limit the use of accessories: Reduce the use of baby carriers (e.g., shells, positioning cushions, nests) to allow your child to move freely.

For optimal care, it’s often beneficial to combine:

• Osteopathy: Personalized therapeutic care to restore cranial mobility;
• Physiotherapy: Targeted muscle strengthening;
• Home exercises: Simple habits to support progress.

In more serious cases, those that do not progress with the combination of first-line interventions, the prescription of a cranial orthosis (plagiocephaly correction helmet) is an option to consider. You should then consult a general practitioner, a pediatrician or a neurosurgeon. But before getting to that point, we strongly advise you to start with the combined management as proposed.

Book an Appointment with Our Osteopaths in Montreal or Boucherville

Our osteopathy clinics, located in the Plateau-Mont-Royal in Montreal or in Boucherville, offer specialized pediatric osteopathy care for infants.

Don’t wait to consult for your child. Act now to provide your baby with the best possible care and promote harmonious development of their skull and entire body.

Meet the Entire CORPS EN MAIN Team! All of our osteopaths are professionally trained to care for your baby. However, Auriane (Montreal) and Manon (Boucherville) have a special focus on pediatric and perinatal osteopathic care.

Book an appointment today or contact us by email to learn more! Visit our blog in the “Perinatal Osteopathy” section.