Question by  Holly (16)

Should I be concerned that my baby has a football shaped head?


Answer by  rfoltz33 (217)

Don't be concerned about this yet. Many infants have "irregularly" shaped heads, which is just a reflection of position in the uterus and/or act of exiting the birth canal. The skull and brain are still developing and the baby's head should take on a "normal" shape eventually.


Answer by  Bpg (84)

Speak with your pediatrician as soon as possible. It may be nothing, but allow your pediatrician to decide if a CT scan is warranted to rule out premature fusion of the skull bones (craniosynostosis). Craniosynostosis can be treated surgically if necessary.


Answer by  Binome (1975)

Most babies have football shaped or "cone" heads. It's caused by the skull being forced through the birth canal. Since the skull isn't hard, it deforms slightly in order to fit through the birth canal. While the skull is still soft, it can be GENTLY smoothed into a more round shape over the course of several months.


Answer by  toni02 (73)

Unless your pediatrician specifies otherwise, definitely not. My son had a football shaped head when he was first born and by the time he turned a year old it was rounded off more. It should correct itself by one year of age and is actually more common than you think.


Answer by  luckharm (77)

No, you should not be concerned. All babies, when they are first born have a "football" shaped head because the skull is still malleable and it was squeezed to enable it to fit through the birth canal. Over the span of a few months, the shape of the head takes on a more round shape.

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