Can the baby's sleeping position affect the shape of the head?

Parents sometimes notice that the baby's head is flattened in the back or on the side. Head asymmetry can be present at birth: preterm babies are more prone to cranial deformities, because their head bones are softer. It is more common in twins and multiple pregnancies, where one fetus puts pressure on another. Lack of amniotic fluid can also be the cause of transient, positional asymmetry of the head present at birth. The most common cause is sleeping position. Sleeping on the back does not allow a lot of turning; more precisely, it requires a static position, unlike sleeping on the tummy.

Babies tend to sleep with their head turned to the left or right. Because the baby's skull is extremely soft, by constantly pressing on the mattress, the head can take on an asymmetrical shape. A "crooked neck" or toricollis forces the baby to keep his/her head in the same position all the time. A much rarer, but also more serious cause of asymmetry of the head is craniosynostosis - premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, which should be detected and treated in a timely manner, because it can leave permanent consequences.

The pediatrician checks the shape of the baby's head during comprehensive health checks, but parents are also advised to consult a doctor if they notice that the baby's head looks asymmetrical.

Are positional head deformities dangerous?                                                  

Parents are often concerned that this problem could affect brain development and may be a cause or sign of disability. With the exception of craniosynostosis, which limits brain growth, plagiocephaly is usually a temporary condition and does not cause more serious consequences for the baby's proper development. The symptoms are the most pronounced between 6th and 8th week; they subside as soon as the child starts to sit and disappear by 18th month. However, with more pronounced deformities, although the condition improves over time, some degree of flatness remains permanently.            

How to prevent a positional deformity of your baby's head?                                                          

Fortunately, this can be achieved very easily. Do not leave your baby in one position often.

The second, and most important, thing in preventing plagiocephaly is to make sure your baby doesn't spend a lot of time on his/her back while awake.                

• Allow your baby to spend as much time on his/her tummy as possible while he/she is awake during the day, under your supervision. Encourage him/her to try new positions during playing time.
• In addition to preventing plagiocephaly, you will also prepare him/her for other developmental activities that follow in his/her development, such as sitting and turning.
• Take your child out of the crib more often.                                                                                              
• When you put your baby in the crib, try to make sure he/she is not always in the same position.
• Change the head position while the baby is sleeping.
• Deliberately arrange toys and little things that attract the baby's attention on all sides of the crib, so that he/she moves his/her head in different directions as much as possible.
• Alternate the baby's orientation in the crib (alternate feet and head positions each time) so that your baby turns his/her head in the opposite direction to see you.
• Use different options in strollers, car seats and swings. Attach items to different sides at different times.
• If your older child often rides with the baby in the car, take care which side he/she sits on, because the baby will naturally turn his/her head in that direction.

Breastfeeding naturally makes moms hold the baby on both sides, which helps the head develop more properly. In case you bottle-feed your baby, make sure to alternate sides. Make sure that the child always sleeps on his/her back, because it is the safest for him/her! Positioning pillows are neither effective nor safe for a child.