Why do old people always like to let their children sleep with "flat heads"? Are round heads smarter than flat heads?

There is a nursery rhyme in northern my country:

"Little flat head, eat taro, grandpa beats you, grandma rubs you, kiss my little flat head!"

It is not difficult to see that the older generation has a special liking for " flat heads " and will always find ways to make their children sleep with "flat heads".

Because of different aesthetics, young people are deeply puzzled by this, but they can do nothing about it. Especially when taking side profile photos, the flat head is more obvious, and there is always a feeling of depression that cannot be expressed.

Why do old people like to give their children a "flat head" when they sleep? Is a flat head really better than a round head? Today, let's talk about these "head" issues...

1

Why do old people like to give their children a “flat head” when they sleep?

Keywords such as "good-looking", "blessed", and "wealthy" will become the answers to this question among the elderly.

The so-called "full forehead and square chin" - that is, a full and prominent forehead, relatively wide cheeks, and a round chin line - is exactly what the older generation considers a "lucky look" and a "wealthy look", which indicates wealth and good fortune.

Flat head and round head

Flat heads just meet these characteristics, so they are very popular among the elderly, so much so that all kinds of hard objects may be used as pillows.

But aesthetic tastes have changed over time. Young people today prefer relatively more three-dimensional facial features and heads, and flat heads and flat faces are no longer popular.

But putting aside appearance and aesthetics, on a physiological level, do different head shapes such as flat heads and round heads have any advantages or disadvantages?

2

Is a round head better and smarter than a flat head?

Theoretically speaking, as long as the head shape abnormality is not particularly serious, a flat head usually does not affect the brain and other head organs.

Because the shape of the head is a reflection of the skull, and the function of the skull is mainly to support and protect the brain and other head organs, and is not directly involved in related physiological functions.

The human skull is made up of 23 bones and can be divided into two parts - the brain skull and the facial skull .

Photo courtesy of the author

The cranial bones form the cranial cavity, which is the part surrounding the brain; the facial bones form the bony support for the eye sockets, nasal cavity and oral cavity.

Except for the mandible and hyoid bone, all bones are connected by "sutures" or cartilage. This is a non-movable connection method and is relatively stable. In addition, the skull is hard enough, so it can protect internal structures such as the brain very well.

Therefore, apart from the beauty and ugliness caused by differences in aesthetics, in general, abnormal head shapes such as flat heads are not a big deal, and there is no such thing as people with round heads being smarter.

3

What issues should we pay attention to regarding baby’s head development?

Although abnormal head shape generally does not affect brain development, if a child's head shape shows obvious abnormal deformation or depression, it is important to seek medical attention in time .

Because the skull of a newborn is relatively soft and has not yet fully developed, there are still gaps between the bones.

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In particular, two areas will be formed on the top and back of the head, one in front and one in the back, which are temporarily not covered by hard bones. They are called the anterior fontanelle and the posterior fontanelle respectively.

For newborns or children under 2 years old, the fontanelle is very fragile.

Because the surface of the fontanelle is the scalp, below it is the meninges, and below that is the brain and cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, a strong impact on the head may cause skull fractures or even damage to the meninges or brain tissue.

But it is precisely because of the existence of these two soft areas that the newborn can pass through the relatively narrow birth canal of the mother and be born successfully.

Gradually, the fontanelle will become smaller and eventually close as the skull develops and ossifies.

However, if it closes too early, it may cause microcephaly and even affect brain development; if it closes too late, it may cause cretinism due to weak thyroid function, rickets due to vitamin deficiency, or hydrocephalus.

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In addition, if the anterior fontanelle on the top of the head appears obviously sunken or bulged, you should seek medical attention promptly .

Because the cerebrospinal fluid in the head has a highly close exchange of substances with the blood and tissue fluid in the body to maintain balance. If dehydration occurs due to symptoms such as frequent vomiting and diarrhea, the anterior fontanelle will appear sunken , and water needs to be replenished in time. Severe malnutrition can also cause a sunken anterior fontanelle.

On the contrary, if the anterior fontanelle is bulging, it may be because the child has contracted encephalitis, meningitis and other diseases .

4

Can the shape of my head be changed if it becomes flat due to sleeping?

For anyone who could ask this question, unfortunately, you don't stand a chance.

Because from the time the baby is born to about 2 years old, the fontanelle on the head will gradually close, and then as the baby grows and develops, the skull will completely ossify and harden, and will hardly change shape.

Therefore, attempts to improve head and face shape through massage and acupressure currently lack sufficient scientific basis.

If you are really not satisfied with your "flat head", you can modify the shape of your head through hairstyle, hat or headwear.

5

How to avoid sleeping with a flat head?

For parents who have children under 2 years old or are about to have a baby, you can refer to the following methods:

1) Avoid using pillows that are too hard and do not let your child lie on his back in a cradle, stroller, etc. for a long time.

2) Adjust your child’s sleeping position, sitting position and the direction in which you hold him/her from time to time to prevent him/her from forming a habit of leaning to one side.

3) If the child has formed a habit that is difficult to correct, or has obvious deformation, you can go to the hospital for examination and use the correction tools and methods given by the doctor. But do not listen to some propaganda and buy "corrective helmets" on the Internet . It may cause lumps around the baby's eyes, protrusions on the head, and may even cause pressure sores and contact dermatitis, affecting the baby's normal growth and development.

To sum up, apart from the beauty and ugliness caused by differences in aesthetics, in general, abnormal head shapes such as flat heads are not a big deal, and there is no saying that round heads are smarter, so there is no need to worry too much.

Author: Jing Zhang, PhD student in biomedicine at the Australian National University

Review | Dr. Tao Ning, Associate Professor, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

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