How to Prevent Your Baby from Getting a Flat Head

The Danish Health Authorityrecommends thatbabies always sleep on their backsto ensure they are sleeping as safely as possible. This can cause their skulls to temporarily grow out of shape, also known as flat head syndrome. And it’s a good idea to act early if your baby is showing signs of this. Luckily, flat head syndrome is very common, and there are many things you can do to help prevent or correct this. Read on for 3 simple tips from our professional expert, Physiotherapist, Rikke Randrup Skaaning.

Highlights:

You can help prevent or correct flat head syndrome by:
Ensuring that your baby gets lots of tummy time when awake.
Alternating the direction your baby lies in the crib.
Stimulating your baby from both the left and the right side.
You can keep yourself updated on recommendations from the Danish Health Authority.

1. Give Your Baby Lots of Tummy Time

“Babies need to spend lots of time on their tummy when they are awake and have their parents close by. This helps reduce the pressure on their skull, but it’s also quite essential for their development as it strengthens their stomach, back, and neck muscles, and their motor skills. Newborn tummy time may only be for a minute or two, but it should be repeated as often as possible. As your baby gets older, gradually increase the amount of time they spend on the tummy.”

2. Alternate the Direction Your Baby Lies in the Crib

“Babies will usually turn their head towards the light or sounds and scents of their parents when they lie in the crib. If you turn their little head, they might quickly turn it back again. However, if you alternate the direction your baby lies in the crib e.g., place your baby’s head at the top of the crib one night and at the bottom of the crib the next night, your baby will hopefully turn its head different ways each night. You can place something next to the crib to help you keep track.”

3. Stimulate Your Baby from Both Sides

“Be sure to wash and dress, play, and talk to your baby from both the right and the left side when your little adventurer is awake. It’s also a good idea to carry your baby on both arms, and to change sides if your baby is bottle-fed. Your baby will automatically turn its head towards you.”

In most cases, a flattened head can be corrected, and the sooner you take action the better. But even following the tips above, some babies will still develop flat parts on the back of their heads. If it doesn’t get better in time, or if you start to feel worried, please consult with your health visitor or doctor, and preferably as quickly as possible.

Here you can update yourself on the Danish Health Authority’s recommendations for preventing flat head syndrome. We urge you to always keep yourself informed about the Danish Health Authority’s current recommendations on this subject.

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