I have a 3-week-old baby, and I am terrified he will have a flat head! At the hospital, they told me to change positions frequently, but is that enough? Thanks in advance, Stephanie

Plagiocephaly is something preventable and treatable most of the time. The back position for sleeping, recommended by Canadian Paediatric Society, is to help prevent sudden infant death s. Since this practice was advised, statistics have shown a reduction of SIDS by 50-70%. That said, yes, you have to frequently change the baby’s position during the day because their skull bones are still soft and can flatten due to pressure. Also, their head takes up a large portion of their body and is harder for them to move because of the weight. When you can watch them, place them on their stomach or sides for short periods, even in their crib. When it’s time for them to go to bed, lay them on their back. We know that plagiocephaly will not cause brain development problems, but it can have an impact on esthetics. You should act on signs early to avoid aggravating the situation, ensuring that there are no secondary tensions and that a helmet will not be necessary later. If you have the impression that your baby has difficulty turning on one side, they may have torticollis. This may lead to plagiocephaly in the future. So, in this case, you should have your baby checked by a pediatric osteopath or physiotherapist to take action to prevent its appearance.

Talk soon,

Marie

The Baby Expert