Plagiocephaly in Babies: Flat Spots, Early Screening, and a Free At-Home Head Shape Scan

As a parent, it’s completely natural to notice every little detail about your baby - especially their head shape. You might hear terms like plagiocephaly or flat spots and feel unsure about what’s normal, what’s not, and when to take action. Let’s break it down in a clear, reassuring way - and give you an easy way to check your baby’s head shape from the comfort of home.

What Is Plagiocephaly?

Plagiocephaly, often referred to as positional plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome, is a condition where a baby develops a flat spot on one side or the back of their head.

This happens because a baby’s skull is soft and moldable - designed that way to support brain growth and birth. When pressure is repeatedly placed on the same area, the head shape can begin to change.

Common signs of plagiocephaly include:

• Flattening on one side or the back of the head

• A preference to look or turn the head to one side

• Facial asymmetry

  • One cheek appearing slightly fuller

  • One ear shifted forward

  • A bulging or prominent forehead on the same side as the flat spot

  • One ear may appear smaller

Plagiocephaly is common, treatable, and most importantly, something we want to identify early.

What Causes plagiocephaly?

Plagiocephaly is not caused by anything you did wrong. Flat spots are not a reflection of parenting. They’re most often the result of in-utero positioning, modern sleep practices, and muscle imbalance.

Some of the most common contributing factors include:

• Positioning in the womb

• Consistent pressure (sleeping position, car seats, swings, etc.)

• Torticollis (tightness or imbalance in the neck muscles)

• Body tension or asymmetrical movement patterns

• Prematurity or time spent in the NICU

Often, plagiocephaly is not just about the head - it’s connected to how a baby moves, rests, and feeds.

Why Early Identification Matters

The earlier a flat spot is identified, the more conservative and effective intervention can be.

Early support may include:

• Simple positioning strategies

• Addressing body tension and improving mobility

• Increasing tolerance to alternate positions

• Supporting motor development and symmetry

Waiting it out often leads to slower or more limited improvement, which is why screening early (even at home) can be incredibly helpful.

Check Your Baby’s Head Shape at Home — Free with SoftSpot

At Roaring Start Therapy, we believe parents deserve access to tools that empower them - not create anxiety.

That’s why we’re offering families one free at‑home head shape scan using SoftSpot.

SoftSpot is a secure, parent‑friendly scanning tool that allows you to:

• Capture images of your baby’s head at home

• Receive objective measurements and visual feedback

• Share those results with Roaring Start to review

✨ This first scan is completely free.

How to Complete Your Free SoftSpot Scan

In the video above, we walk you step‑by‑step through the entire process. It only takes a few minutes and can be done from the comfort of your home using your phone.

What Happens After the Scan?

Once your scan is complete, we will review the results together and talk through:

• Whether the head shape is within typical limits

• If plagiocephaly is mild, moderate, or more significant

• What supportive steps may help your baby

• Whether pediatric physical therapy could be beneficial

Sometimes reassurance and monitoring are all that’s needed. Other times, early intervention can make a meaningful difference in comfort, movement, and symmetry.

Either way, you don’t have to guess. Our goal is to support, educate, and empower you - without pressure or fear.

A Gentle Next Step

If you’re feeling unsure, curious, or just want reassurance, this is a simple place to start.

A free at‑home SoftSpot scan can give you helpful information about your baby’s head shape - without pressure, commitment, or overwhelm.

💛 Your baby’s first SoftSpot scan is completely free
💛 Completed from the comfort of your home
💛 Reviewed with a pediatric physical therapist who specializes in infant development

If you’re ready to take a gentle first step, you can complete your free at-home SoftSpot head shape scan with no pressure attached, just support.

📍 Roaring Start Pediatric Therapy proudly serves families in Blanchard, OK and surrounding communities, offering infant physical therapy and breastfeeding support.

Educational content only. Not a medical diagnosis. Please consult your pediatrician and/or pediatric therapist with concerns.