With a growing awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, many parents have begun putting their babies to sleep face-up. This has drastically reduced the incidence of SIDS. Unfortunately, when a baby sleeps in this fixed position, her skull may develop plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. This creates a flat spot on the baby's head and, if left untreated, can lead to misalignment of the baby's face and jaw, requiring the baby to wear corrective headgear. But plagiocephaly is simple to prevent and even fix as a baby's head develops and begins to round out naturally.
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Difficulty:
Easy
Instructions
1
Allow small amounts of time for your baby to lie on her tummy. Watch your baby closely and keep these tummy times short -- about 10 minutes. A few times a day will be plenty for a developing baby's head to round out naturally and prevent or even fix plagiocephaly.
2
Avoid leaving your baby in a fixed position for too long a period. Car seats and swings will tend to keep your baby's head in the same position and increase risks of plagiocephaly. Try moving your baby's swing or adjusting her seat and provide new surroundings to encourage your baby to look around freely.
3
Alternate your baby's feeding position. Being fed several times a day in the same position will not allow your baby's head to naturally round out as well as it should. Make an effort to position your baby differently each time, or to adjust so that the pressure isn't always on the same side of your baby's head each time.
4
Move the baby's crib to a different position in the baby room. This will encourage the child to reorient his head to see familiar sights, like the window or door.
Tips & Warnings
Always consult your pediatrician if plagiocephaly arises.
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