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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.
Preventing Baby’s Head from Flattening
Cómo evitar que la cabeza del bebé se aplane
• 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