Skull shape: Genetic or environmental?

[bolido2000]

My gf swears that asian people have "flat head shapes" (the back side) because when they fell asleep as babies their parents let them sleep with their face facing up. On the other hand, whites and blacks's head shape is more round at the back because many of them sleep with their face down as babies. I say the shape is prolly defined 90% by genes and 10% by external factors even though the skull is soft when we are born. Who is right?

 

[StageLeft]

You're supposed to sleep on your back as a baby AFAIK. This would be genetic. You're not likely to shape one's head much based on sleeping position as a baby. Was your gf dropped on her head when she was one?

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Since the bones of a baby's head are fairly soft, it's very easy to shape a baby's head. American Indians used to tie wooden planks to their babies heads to shape them.

 

[bolido2000]

She bases this on chinese folk culture. She says "ask your grandma or mom". I'm like "Would that make any difference??" I have no hard proof, so we get in this "friendly" arguments.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Since the bones of a baby's head are fairly soft, it's very easy to shape a baby's head. American Indians used to tie wooden planks to their babies heads to shape them.

Hmm, ideas

 

[DrNoobie]

I'm sure that if you lived in an environment in which parents beat the heads of the babies into a triangle shape, you could consider it environmental.

 

[Wallydraigle]

I find that ratchet straps work best in shaping the skulls of babies. It's taken some trial and error, but I've settled on ratchet straps for all furture projects. If you have enough straps on there you can shape the head however you want, and many exciting new forms are possible that I would never even try with the wood planks. Some of my projects will be available for sale soon, so keep checking my website for availablility. I might put a few on eBay too.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

ahh while the japanese are able to grow cubed watermelon, I don't think your gf is right.

 

[Eli]

Both.

 

[sillymofo]

It's because when you were a kid, your parents didn't pay any attention on how you were lying around. If they rotated you properly, you won't have such a flat head.

 

[Sluggo]

I did see a deal on TV concerning people putting their children to sleep on their backs to combat SIDS.

More and more children are coming up with flat heads in the back, which has the possibility of causing the brain to be pressed against the skull.

MAYBE....thats what is up with kids these days.

 

[ApacheXMD]

the back of my head is flat. and my mom says I slept a lot as a baby.. so who knows..
wonder if my skrain is being pressed against my bull.

-patchy

 

[Analog]

Skull shape is genetic, and is used by researchers to study migration of humans on the earth (like the land-bridge from Asia to Alaska theory). National Geographic magazine had a big spread on this last year.

 

[slydecix]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: FFMCobalt
Since the bones of a baby's head are fairly soft, it's very easy to shape a baby's head. American Indians used to tie wooden planks to their babies heads to shape them.

Hmm, ideas

Text

 

[Pliablemoose]

Skull shaping

And a special note from the link for Skoorb:

Please note that attempting to shape your child's head is (a) dangerous, and (b) illegal,