Due to SIDS, parents are encouraged to have their
newborns sleep on their back. On the flipside constantly
sleeping in the same position, night and day can give
rise to flat spots on the back of babies heads. Since
a baby's skull is still soft and growth rate is rapid
in the initial months, constant pressure applied on
the same area can cause facial bones and skull to
shift (known as cranial asymmetry)
Cranial asymmetry comes in three forms:
plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly,
of which the first is the most common. In plagiocephaly
one side of baby's head is flatter than the other.
Plagiocephaly doesn't impact brain growth or development
but it can certainly lead to self-esteem issues in
the later years if the problem is not recognized and
rectified at the correct time. Another side-effect
is the development of temporary bald spots in some
babies. It is important to address this issue in the
first year when change is most rapid and rectification
is unproblematic.
• Encourage your baby to spend time on the tummy
when awake to remove pressure from the back of the
head. Place toys around your baby to make it a more
interesting experience. Roll up a towel under your
baby's chest to serve as an aid when he is not able
to life his head and shoulders yet.
• If your baby is into thumb-sucking, encourage
alternate sucking of fingers/thumb from both hands.
Sucking from the same hand will automatically veer
baby's head in the same direction.
• Place your baby in different directions on
the crib or bed e.g. head at the top or head at the
bottom.
• If your baby spends a lot of time on devices
such as car seat, swing which only compounds the flat
spots issue, break the rhythm by carrying baby using
slings and carriers.
• For bottle-fed babies mothers should switch
positions just as breastfeeding mothers do.
• Provide your baby's head with support when
she is lying on her back by using soft foam behind
baby's head when she is in a seat during waking hours.
Alternatively place a rolled towel behind baby's head
and shoulders to keep off the pressure.
When to see a Doctor..
If your baby's head appears misshapen or if baby's
head doesn't round up by 6 months check with your
doctor. Not all flat spots are indicative of problems
so it is important to check. If a problem is confirmed
your baby may need treatment with a molding helmet
or a head band. These work in the same manner as braces
on teeth.
