In the first months of life a baby's skull is soft and grows fast. When the baby lies on the back for many hours – the safe sleeping position recommended by experts and by campaigns against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – the constant pressure on one spot can flatten the head. This is called positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome.
The Mimos Pillow was designed to prevent this. Its cavity cradles the head and increases the contact area underneath it, reducing the pressure on the skull by up to 4 times. Your baby can still move and turn the head freely – no repositioning and no forced posture.
1 in 5babies had a significant flat head at 3 months in a Swedish study*
4×less pressure on the back of the head
32layers of breathable 3D mesh fabric
0+months – suitable from birth
CE
Class I Medical Device
This product is classified as a Class I medical device under the European Regulation 2017/745 (MDR). It bears the CE marking and complies with applicable safety and performance requirements.
Less pressure
Spreads the weight of the head to protect the soft skull from flattening at the back or side.
Breathable
Made of soft, flexible 3D spacer fabric that is mostly air, so air flows freely around the head.
Dry & cool
Moisture from sweat or spilled milk spreads out and dries quickly – no build-up of heat.
Safe textiles
Oeko-Tex 100 class I, the textile standard for direct contact with baby skin. Breathability tested by TÜV Rheinland.
Free movement
Your baby can turn the head from side to side, which strengthens the neck muscles.
Light & portable
Use it in the cot, the crib and – with size P – in the pram.
* Öhman A., Health 2014: 20% of infants had significant plagiocephaly (CVAI > 3.5) at about 3 months. See the Studies tab.
Designed by orthopaedic specialists
Mimos has been made since 2010 and is handmade in Barcelona, Spain, under an ISO 13485 quality management system for medical devices. Paediatric physiotherapists and osteopaths in many countries recommend it for babies at risk of flat head.
- Patented “torus” design – 32 layers of 3D mesh shaped around a central cavity that spreads the pressure evenly.
- Reversible – the outer layers are identical, so the pillow works either side up.
- Breathable – tested for CO₂ rebreathing safety; air passes through the pillow even if the baby turns the face into it.
- Hygienic – anti-allergic, antistatic and resistant to mites and fungi; easy to clean and quick to dry.
What to look for in a flat-head pillow
| Medical device status | Mimos: CE-marked Class I medical device (EU MDR 2017/745) |
| Breathability tested | Mimos: breathability tested by TÜV Rheinland |
| Clinical studies | Mimos: randomised study at the University of Gothenburg (see Studies) |
| Material | Mimos: breathable 3D mesh – not memory foam |
| Textile safety | Mimos: Oeko-Tex 100 class I |
| Quality system | Mimos: ISO 13485 (medical devices) |
Using the Mimos Pillow
- Choose the right size by measuring your baby's head circumference (see the Sizes tab).
- Lay your baby on the back, straight on the pillow, with the head in the centre of the cavity.
- Let your baby sleep and move freely. Turning the head from side to side is good – no repositioning is needed.
- Use it every time your baby lies on the back: in the cot, the crib and – with size P – in the pram, including during night feeds and checks.
- Check the head shape regularly and talk to your paediatrician or physiotherapist about progress.
Safety: use the Mimos Pillow under adult supervision and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Never cover the pillow with any fabric other than the original Mimos Pillow Cover. Replace the pillow if it loses its shape, tears or no longer supports the head, and use a new pillow for each baby.
Optional: Mimos Pillow Cover
The size-matched 100% cotton cover protects the pillow from small spills of milk and from sweat while staying breathable. You can add it to your order in the box above the Add to cart button.
Important: the pillow does not treat the cause of a flat head (for example tight neck muscles or torticollis). Please ask a healthcare professional for a treatment plan; the Mimos Pillow may be used during treatment.
What is plagiocephaly?
Positional plagiocephaly is a flat spot on one side or the back of the head caused by constant pressure on the same area of the skull. It can develop very quickly, especially in the first 3 months, when the skull is soft and the head and brain grow fast.
Constant positioning
Long periods with the head in the same position – in the cot, pram, car seat, bouncer or on a play mat.
Premature babies
Their skull is softer, and they often spend long periods on the back for medical care.
Torticollis (wryneck)
Tight neck muscles make the baby turn the head to one side. It can usually be noticed in the first 2–4 weeks.
Multiple births
Twins and triplets have little room to move in the womb.
If not addressed early, flat head may lead to facial asymmetry – eyes and ears out of line, one cheek fuller, or the forehead pushed forward on one side. Studies have also linked it with early delays in motor development (Speltz ML, Collett BR et al., Pediatrics 2010;125(3):e537-42).
Why tummy time matters
Tummy time is time your baby spends lying on the tummy while awake and watched by an adult. It takes the pressure off the back of the head and builds the strength your baby needs to lift the head, roll, crawl and sit.
Strong neck & shoulders
Lifting the head works the neck, shoulder and upper-body muscles.
Motor development
Helps your baby reach milestones such as rolling and crawling.
Even head shape
Less time on the back means less pressure on one spot of the skull.
Tummy time tips
- Start from the first days at home, with a few minutes several times a day.
- Build up the time gradually as your baby gets stronger.
- Choose moments when your baby is awake and content – for example after a nappy change.
- Get down to your baby's level: talk, sing and use toys to encourage lifting the head.
- Always stay with your baby during tummy time, and always put your baby on the back to sleep.
The combined approach
Tummy time while awake, plus a Mimos Pillow whenever your baby lies on the back, protects the head shape around the clock. Also limit time in car seats and bouncers, and change the side you hold your baby on during feeding.
When to see a doctor: if you notice a flat spot, if your baby always turns the head to the same side, or if one ear or eye looks out of line, talk to your paediatrician or physiotherapist. Early assessment gives the best results.
The Mimos Pillow has been studied by physiotherapist Anna Öhman at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Head shape was measured with a craniometer and expressed as the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index (CVAI); a CVAI above 3.5 means a significant flat head.
Randomised study – 2014
A specially designed pillow can decrease developmental plagiocephaly in young infants. Health 2014;6:1092-1098.
79 infants aged 0–2 months, randomly assigned to the Mimos Pillow (44) or a control group (35), with a blinded assessor. At about 3 months, head asymmetry had decreased significantly in the Mimos group (p = 0.002) but not in the control group (p = 0.96). A completely symmetrical head (CVAI 0) was found in 29% of the Mimos group vs 11% of controls.
Pilot study – 2013
A pilot study: a specially designed pillow may prevent developmental plagiocephaly by reducing pressure from the infant head. Health 2013;5(6A):32-37.
36 healthy infants aged 0–2 months. In infants whose head pressure was reduced, asymmetry decreased significantly (p = 0.01), and 47% had a completely symmetrical head at the last check, compared with 12% of the others.
Case report – 2013
A specially designed pillow may be used as treatment for young infants with developmental plagiocephaly. Health 2013;5(12):2064-2067.
Two infants with a flat head who used the pillow consistently for one month: CVAI went from 8.3 to 4.9 and from 5.7 to 2.4.
Summaries by OrthoHouse from the published articles. The studies followed infants up to about 3–4 months of age; the author notes that more research is needed on use after 3 months.
Choose by head circumference
| Size XS | Under 37 cm – premature and small newborns |
| Size S | 36 – 46 cm |
| Size M | 42 – 49 cm |
| Size L | Over 49 cm |
| Size P | Pram / stroller |
How to measure
Wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of your baby's head – just above the eyebrows and ears and around the back. If your baby is between two sizes, ask us for advice.
Manufacturer data. Matching Mimos covers are available for each size.
Book a free consultation
Need advice or a demonstration?
OrthoHouse helps you choose the right Mimos size for your baby. Call +357 22 660688 or email info@orthohouse.com.cy.