How can parents help prevent positional plagiocephaly?

Positional plagiocephaly, often referred to as flat head syndrome, commonly occurs in infants when they lie in one position for extended periods, leading to a flattening of a specific area of the skull. One effective way parents can help prevent this condition is by incorporating regular tummy time into their routine.

Tummy time involves placing the infant on their stomach while they are awake and supervised. This position not only encourages the development of neck, shoulder, and back muscles but also reduces the amount of time the infant spends in one position, particularly on their backs. As infants practice lifting their heads and turning from side to side during tummy time, they engage different parts of their skull, helping prevent flattening due to prolonged pressure on one area.

In contrast, allowing infants to sleep on their stomachs is not recommended for preventing positional plagiocephaly and is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Keeping an infant swaddled at all times can restrict their natural movement, which may prevent them from finding comfortable positions or engaging in activities like tummy time. Minimizing infant mobility inhibits exploration and can lead to prolonged periods in a single position, increasing the risk of developing positional plagiocephaly. Thus,