When positioning your newborn baby for sleep, the key is to alternate the direction their head faces in the crib.
Why Head Positioning Matters for Your Newborn
Newborns spend a significant amount of time sleeping on their backs. Because their skull is soft, consistently resting their head in the same position can sometimes lead to a flattened spot on one side (known as positional plagiocephaly). Changing the head's direction helps distribute pressure more evenly, supporting a round head shape.
Key Steps for Positioning Your Baby's Head During Sleep
Based on expert advice and guidelines, here's how to properly "set" or position your baby's head during sleep:
- Always Place Baby on Their Back: For safe sleep, newborns should always be placed on their back on a firm, flat surface without loose bedding. This is the safest position to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Alternate Head Direction: When you place your baby down on their back in the crib, alternate the direction your baby's head faces. One night, have their head facing towards the left side of the crib; the next night, have it facing towards the right.
- Adjust as Needed: It's common for babies to develop a preference for turning their head one way. If your baby tends to move around while sleeping and consistently settles into the previous starting position you were trying to avoid, adjust for this next time by intentionally placing their head facing the opposite direction you want them to favor.
Practical Tips for Encouraging Head Movement
Beyond simply alternating the initial position, consider these tips to help your baby look in different directions throughout the day and night:
- Change Crib Orientation: Occasionally change the direction the crib faces in the room, or where you stand or place stimulating objects (like a mobile out of reach or interesting pictures on the wall) so your baby is encouraged to look in different directions.
- Vary Carrying Positions: When your baby is awake, use different holds and carriers to reduce pressure on the back of the head.
- Supervised Tummy Time: While not directly about sleeping head position, supervised tummy time while awake is crucial for developing neck and shoulder muscles, which helps babies gain better head control and turn their heads more easily.
By consistently placing your baby on their back and actively alternating their head's resting position in the crib, you help promote safe sleep practices while also encouraging healthy head shape development.
