What are positional skull deformities and what causes them?
A positional skull deformity is usually a flat spot on the back of the head. Positional deformities can develop when a baby continually rests his head in the same place such as in a crib, a car seat or an infant carrier. Should I continue to place my baby on his back to sleep? Absolutely! Despite the increased risk for skull deformity, you should always place your baby on his back at naptime and when you put him to bed at night. If it increases his risk for developing a skull deformity, why is it so important to put my baby on his back to sleep? It greatly reduces his risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A little over a decade ago, researchers found that tummy and, to a lesser extent, side sleeping were linked with SIDS. In response, the AAP launched a nationwide Back to Sleep campaign in 1992, calling parents attention to this danger and encouraging them to put their babies to sleep on their backs. Since that campaign was launched, SIDS rates in the United States have decrease
