There's no research to show whether cushions or pillows marketed as suitable for preventing flat head are either safe or effective. They are best avoided.

There are some things to bear in mind about the research. It was carried out in Canada and Australia, which have different healthcare systems and may have differing attitudes to health. A survey of UK parents and doctors might have had different results. Also, because the study relied on people volunteering to take part, it's likely that more of the parents who took part were worried about flat head than parents who did not volunteer. This means the level of worry about flat head may be over-stated.