Infant Sleep Position Guidelines
By Jennifer LaRue, Director
1-2-3 Learning Tree Day Care
Frankfort, KY

Could measures you take to decrease the risk of SIDS cause a child's head to become misshapen? The American Association of Pediatrics recently launched its Back To Sleep campaign in an effort to reduce the incidence of SIDS. Since this campaign began, there has been a significant reduction of SIDS related deaths. The problem arises; however, when parents and caregivers take the AAP's suggestion to extremes and place children on their backs all of the time. Because the bones in an infant's head are so soft, this continuous pressure on their heads is causing the backs of the infants' heads to become flattened. It is not a dangerous condition (although if left untreated it could cause problems with the jaw, vision and hearing) and is usually easily remedied without surgery.

1. Place an infant on his or her back only during sleeping hours.
2. If you notice any flattened areas on the sides of the infant's head, place him or her in a position which eases the pressure on the flattened areas.
3. Don't allow the child to spend a lot of time in car seats, carriers or similar items which cause pressure on the back of the head.
4. Place the infant on his or her side or stomach during waking hours, but only while you are available to observe any signs of distress.

In addition to these safeguards, encourage parents to see their pediatrician regularly and express their concerns for prevention of this problem. Nichole Cottongim of Southgate, Kentucky explains, "I never realized the significant flattening of the back of Sam's head or the fact that his ears were slightly out of alignment until our pediatrician brought it to my attention." It is somewhat difficult to recognize the subtle changes in an infant you see every day, therefore a pediatrician, in addition to professional knowledge, will have the benefit of a fresh perspective when examining a child.

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