Babies can develop flat spots on their heads from spending too much time lying flat. When they're not being snuggled, babies are strapped into car seats, bouncy seats and swings, or lying on their backs in their beds to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. When flat spots develop, your doctor may recommend several therapies, including exercises, to help baby turn his head and encourage the head shape to return to normal.
About Positional Plagiocephaly
The medical term for flat spots on a baby's head is positional plagiocephaly, says Seattle Children's Hospital. Positional plagiocephaly can result from pressure on the head when the fetus is still in the womb, but may also occur from baby lying flat on his back too much of the time. Positional plagiocephaly can also occur due to another condition known as torticollis, in which baby's neck muscles are abnormally tight and baby tends to look in the same direction all the time.
Neck Stretches
If baby has torticollis that is causing flat spots on the head, stretching exercises can help relax the muscles in the neck so that baby can more easily turn her head in both directions and help to alleviate flat spots. Kids Health says that a physical therapist or your pediatrician can help you learn how to correctly perform these stretches. Stretching exercises typically involve slow, gentle stretching of the neck muscles to allow the head to turn easily in the direction opposite of baby's natural angle.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is necessary to help babies strengthen the muscles in their bellies, backs, arms and necks to learn to hold up their heads. Tummy time develops muscles necessary to help babies turn their heads on their own, and eventually sit upright and crawl. Place baby on her belly throughout the day to help her practice working those muscles. If she protests, break tummy time into short but frequent intervals. BabyCenter suggests tummy time for only a minute or two per session until baby grows accustomed to it. Prop up a book or favorite toy for her to look at or play with while she is on her tummy.
Turning the Head
Stimulate baby with brightly colored stuffed animals, rattles, books and other toys, but put them in a position that makes baby turn his head in the direction opposite his natural angle to see them. Alternate the direction in which you place him in his crib, or try moving the crib around the room to encourage baby to look in the other direction. Encourage baby to exercise his own neck muscles by giving him lots of interesting things to look at and to try to reach out and touch.
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