Babies with flat heads treated in record numbers. Babies being left too long in the same position.

[snagglepuss]

snip

While the distortions are cosmetic and rarely cause a medical problem, left untreated, they can become permanent and affect the child later in life.

Sweet said the problem can be caused by a long list of factors, but generally the babies are spending too much time in the same position.


“Especially if you rest your head back against something that’s fairly solid, so, car seats that are used for something besides just being in a car, or too much time in a bouncy chair.”


Babies are most vulnerable as newborns, but the shape of their heads can change up to their first birthday.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/babies-with-flat-heads-treated-in-record-numbers-1.1893930

[HuckleB]

1. This was already an issue more than a decade ago.

People just don't pay attention.

[kdmorris]

2. As I understand it...the increase in flat spots on the head

had a lot to do with the campaign to put babies to sleep on their backs, which started in the early 90s. Of course, putting them on their backs in the crib on fairly firm mattresses has also reduced SIDS, so I guess a flat spot on their head is worth it if it keeps them from dying in their sleep.

That being said, my 15 week old twins won't stay in the same position long enough to get a flat spot on their heads, LOL... little balls of energy, those two!

[winter is coming]

3. ^^ This. My sister could turn over at the age of 3 weeks.

(Yeah, the pediatrician didn't believe it, either, until he saw her do it.) In those days, you were supposed to put babies down on their stomachs, but she kept flipping over on to her back. The back of her head has a large flat spot on it, unlike mine, but her hair makes it not very obvious.