6
Preventing Baby’s Head from Flattening
Prévenir le risque d’aplatissement de la tête de bébé
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 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
