Your baby may have an unusual shaped head and/or soft swelling towards the back of the head at birth. This is normal and is due to pressure as the head moves through the birth canal. This will soon correct itself.
Occasionally, there is a soft swelling, on one or both sides of the head (cephallhaematoma) caused by bleeding into the outside layer of the skull bone during the birth. It may take up to a few months to disappear.
The back of your baby’s head may become flattened from sleeping on her back with her head in the same position. Her brain growth and development are not affected by this flattening.
Flattening can be reduced by alternating the direction (to the left and to the right) her head is turned in the cot.
If you are concerned about your baby’s head shape or size, talk to your midwife or other health professional.
