---
title: Self assessment of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly | Technology in Motion
description: Are you concerned about your baby's head shape? Use this self assessment tool to help you determine the severity of your baby's condition.
image: https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/Self-assessment-of-plagiocephaly-and-brachycephaly-1000x450.jpeg
---

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# Self assessment of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly

[Previous](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/blog/what-is-positional-plagiocephaly)

[Next](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/blog/scanning-a-babys-head-vs-manual-measurement)

![Self assessment of plagiocephaly and brachycephaly | Technology in Motion](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/Self-assessment-of-plagiocephaly-and-brachycephaly-1000x450.jpeg)

 

Parents are often uncertain as to how severe their baby’s head shape is so they come to us for an [assessment](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/contact/book-a-free-pre-assessment) because they’re not seeing the improvement in shape that their doctors say will happen.

It is true that as a baby grows, the head shape will improve but for the severe head shape deformities that some babies have, there is just not enough time for the baby to achieve a ‘normal’ head shape without some help.

A doctor named Argenta published a paper in 2004 which we use to help parents and their doctors to see just how severe a baby’s [plagiocephaly](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/head-abnormalities/plagiocephaly) or [brachycephaly](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/head-abnormalities/brachycephaly) is.

Parents usually notice that their baby’s head shape is not right at about eight weeks of age. At this time, parents should immediately start to[reposition the head](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/community-and-resources/repositioning) away from the flattened spot and seek advice on whether their baby has a tight neck muscle on one side, ([torticollis](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/head-abnormalities/torticollis)). If the head shape isn’t improving by the age of four or five months then treatment using a helmet could be the best option to help to improve the shape.

## But how should parents know how severe the head shape deformity is?

Argenta classified the stages of deformity into 5 types for [plagiocephaly](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/head-abnormalities/plagiocephaly) and 3 types for brachycephaly. Most babies who have a deformity will have a combination of the two types.

For plagiocephaly:

**Type 1 (Normal)**

There is a small flat spot at the back of the head on one side. This is normal and we all have a little asymmetry in our head shapes.

 

![Normal headship of baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/Headshape-1.png)

**Type 2 (Mild)**

There is some ear shift on the same side as the flattening. This is within the normal range and no action apart from repositioning is required.

![mild deformity head shape](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/mild%20deformity%20head%20shape.png)

**Type 3 (Moderate)**

The brow on the same side as the flattening, the ear shift is coming further forward, (bossing) and the flattening at the back crosses the front to back mid line. We recommend treatment for infants with moderate and severe asymmetry.

![moderate head shape baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/moderate%20head%20shape%20baby.png)

**Type 4 (Severe)**

There is jaw and facial asymmetry and the forehead bossing is more apparent. We recommend treatment for this type of deformity.

![severe head shape baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/severe%20head%20shape%20baby.png)

**Type 5 (Severe)**

There is bulging at the temple areas above the ears and the head height is showing deformity with the whole brow being pushed forward. This type is often seen in babies who have a brachycephaly (wide head) and a plagiocephaly (asymmetry) combined.

![severe head shape baby - temple](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/severe%20head%20shape%20baby%20-%20temple.png)

For babies with a symmetric wide head (brachycephaly) the classification is divided into three types.

**Type 1 (Mild)**

There is a central flattening but no side bulging. This is mild and does not need treatment, just keep watch and reposition.

![mid deformity headshape baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/mid%20deformity%20headshape%20baby.png)

**Type 2. (Moderate)**

The back of the skull is wide and there are bulges at the sides of the head shape. WE recommend treatment for this shape.

![moderate headshape assement baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/moderate%20headshape%20assement%20baby.png)

**Type 3 (Severe)**

There is bulging at the temples with brow bossing and a high back to the head shape. We recommend treatment for this severity of head shape.

![servere deformity head shape baby](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/servere%20deformity%20head%20shape%20baby.png)

Without help, the moderate and severe conditions will not improve significantly on their own and many parents contact us when it is too late for us to help. Using aa [TiMbandAir](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/plagiocephaly/3d-printed-helmet/) will allow the head shape to gently and naturally grow back into a normal shape. We’ve helped many thousands of babies and have over fifteen years’ experience in successfully helping these children to grow up with a normal head shape and bright futures.

For more information on assessing your baby’s head shape, discover more information [Deformational Plagiocephaly](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/plagiocephaly/deformational-plagiocephaly/). 

To make an appointment for a free assessment, call 0330 100 1800 or you can fill in a [contact form.](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/contact)

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## More from our community…

###### [![](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/Pillow%20-%20Blog%20Header%20-%201200x630%20-%2002.webp) Blog post Sleeping Systems and Pillows There are sleeping systems and pillows on the market which may provide benefits but only up to the ages of 4 to 5 months, before your baby starts to roll over. Read more](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/blog/sleeping-systems-and-pillows)

###### [![](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/Pillow%20-%20Blog%20Header%20-%201200x630%20-%2002.jpg) Blog post Can Pillows Correct a Flat Head Shape Wondering if pillows can help with flat head shape? Learn about safe options, alternative techniques, and when to consider helmet therapy. Read more](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/blog/can-pillows-correct-a-flat-head-shape)

###### [![Red Dot Award Winner: TiMbandAir](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/hubfs/TIM0016%20December%20Social%20and%20Blogs_Blog%20Header_1200x630.png) Blog post Red Dot award-winning triumph in product design excellence Discover the innovation behind Technology in Motion's TiMbandAir helmet, honoured with the prestigious Red Dot Award Best of the Best. Uncover the design excellence and groundbreaking features that set this helmet apart. Read more](https://www.technologyinmotion.com/blog/timbandair-red-dot-award)

[View all articles](https://6887174.hs-sites.com/blog)

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