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Preventing Baby's Head from Flattening
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Pediatricians and child health organizations agree
that healthy babies should be placed on their backs
to sleep for naps and at nighttime, to reduce the risk
of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). But babies
who are always on their backs can sometimes develop
flat spots on their head (plagiocephaly). Most cases
of positional plagiocephaly can be prevented (and
sometimes corrected) by repositioning your baby to
relieve pressure on the back of the head. Here are
some tips and techniques from the experts to keep in
mind as you care for your baby:
• Change the location of your baby's sleeper or crib in
the room, so she has to look in different directions
to see the door, or the window, or interesting things
going on around her.
• When your baby is awake, provide opportunities
for adult-supervised "tummy time" play. Playing
on his tummy helps take the pressure off the back
of his head, which will help prevent flat spots from
developing. Tummy time play also helps your baby's
head, neck and shoulder muscles get stronger as
part of normal development.
• Try tummy time two or three times a day, for short
periods of time, until your baby gets used to being
on her tummy. Once your baby begins to enjoy this
position, try longer periods of time or increase the
frequency of tummy time play.
• Help your baby avoid resting his head in the same
position all the time by frequently changing the
direction he lies in the crib. For example, have your
baby's feet point toward one end of the crib for a few
days, and then change the position so his feet point
toward the other end of the crib. This will encourage
your baby to turn and look in different directions.
• Try to minimize the amount of time your baby spends
in car seats, carriers and bouncy seats while awake.
• Lastly, make sure you enjoy lots of "cuddle time" with
your baby by holding her upright over your shoulder.
For additional information on positional plagiocephaly
and the benefits of tummy time play for your baby,
speak with your pediatrician or family physician.
National Institute of Health (NIH) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development
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