A new study indicates that nearly half of all infants have a flat spot on the back of their head two months after birth. Before you faint, know that this flat spot is not necessarily dangerous by itself. However, it does come as a result of modern parenting techniques.
Why All of the Flat Spots
Flat spots on the back of infant heads are thought to result from all of the time that they spend on their backs these days. Of course, you’re saying to yourself “ They’re infants. All they’ve ever done throughout history is spend time on their backs.” Although it’s true that infants of past era weren’t working the fields at 2 months, they were spending more time being held by parents. Plus, during the 90’s pediatricians started an initiative aimed at combatting the scourge of crib death. One of the preventative measures for avoiding crib death is making sure that a baby sleeps on their back.
Although a small flat spot on the back of the head isn’t life threatening, some worry about the social stigma and bullying that kids might have to endure once they enter school. To combat the flat, medical professionals have some advice. Make sure that you alternate side to which your baby rests their head. If they tend to rest their head to the left while sleeping, make sure you turn their head towards the right every other night. Additionally, optimize the amount of time that they spend in your arms instead of flat on their back in a car seat or stroller.