Preventing Flat Heads in Babies

For the first 6 months, the safest place for your baby to sleep is on his back, in a crib in your room — infants sleeping this way have a significantly reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), when an otherwise healthy baby under 1 dies suddenly and unexpectedly, for no apparent reason, while sleeping.

Why do some babies develop flat spots?

A baby's skull is very soft and the bones can be affected by pressure. Babies also have weak neck muscles and usually turn their heads to one side when placed on their back — this positioning can cause skull flattening, medically termed positional plagiocephaly. Minor flattening typically resolves on its own; more serious flattening may not completely go away, but it will not affect a baby's brain or development.

Can flat head be prevented?

Most cases can be prevented, though not always completely. A practical approach is changing your baby's position in the crib each day — since she likes something interesting to look at, she'll often turn her head to face the room rather than the wall.

• One day, place your baby with his head toward the head of the crib.
• The next day, place him with his head toward the foot of the crib.
• Alternate his position every day.

You can also try putting a mobile on the side of the crib facing the room, to encourage your baby to look that way.

What else can I do?

Give your baby supervised "tummy time" while awake — 10 to 15 minutes, at least 3 times a day. Tummy time prevents flat spots while also supporting overall physical development.

When should I call a doctor?

If your baby still develops flat spots despite these steps, talk to your doctor.