13
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 heads
(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.
