Baby’s sleep position and head shape?!

[Roadrunner550]

Hi all,

My 3.5mo baby pretty much always sleeps with her head facing the same way and I’m worried this is affecting the shape of her head. We do try to turn her head the other way when she’s asleep but this often wakes her up (she’s not easy to get to sleep in the first place and then sleeps really lightly), or when it doesn’t wake her up she stirs a few minutes later and turns back the original way anyway. We try not to have her lying down all the time but we can’t avoid it when she’s asleep. My partner has suggested trying to find a wedge shaped pillow but I am so worried about SIDS.

Any advice or reassurance? If her head is misshapen by this will it resolve itself?

Thanks in advance!

[PurpleThistles84]

My baby is 12 months now and still has a funny shaped head. He had a strong preference for lying with his head facing one direction, also when sitting in bouncer or in the pram. There is a heart shaped pillow I bought which is safe to use in the cot, made from breathable material, I think it’s called babymoov that I wish I had known about sooner that helps prevent the flattening. I also got some tips such as feeding him on the opposite side I usually would so pressure wouldn’t be on the side of the head he preferred, lots of tummy time which my DS absolutely hated and still does. Trying to limit the amount of time they are in bouncers with pressure on their heads.

Unless it is very severe their heads do right themselves as they get older and start sitting up etc.

[Roadrunner550]

@PurpleThistles84 thanks for the recommendation for the pillow, I’ve just had a search on Amazon and it looks good! Will try it if my OH agrees. My baby doesn’t like tummy time either, and doesn’t last long in the bouncer or swing without grizzling. She loves her play mat, but that of course also involves lying down! We try to position her so she turns the opposite way to her preference to look at the lights and dangly toys and things but she still spends most of her time trying to face the ‘wrong’ way.

[PurpleThistles84]

It might be worth mentioning to your HV. My DS actually had something called torticollis, he had tight neck muscles which meant it was hard and uncomfortable for him to turn his head the other way. It was likely a result of his difficult birth, stuck shoulders and ventouse. I had to do neck muscle stretching exercises which helped a lot.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

Get a stretchy wrap and wear her, it works the same muscles as tummy time but babies generally prefer it as they like to be with you. Keeps their head from being laid on the whole time, but easier on you than just carrying

[Roadrunner550]

@BuffaloCauliflower thanks for this, do you mean with the baby upright and facing me? We have a baby bjorn carrier given to us by a family member but we don’t really use it as the first few times we tried she looked a bit scrunched up and I was worried she couldn’t breathe properly 🙈 but of course she’s much bigger now — would that do the same job?

[BuffaloCauliflower]

@Roadrunner550 that’s an option but a simple stretchy wrap is the easier option for little ones, you just tie it on tightly and tuck them in. There’s loads of options out there (Search for stretchy wraps) and lots of YouTube videos showing how to tie them and how to correctly place baby in so they’re comfortable and safe.

[Roadrunner550]

@BuffaloCauliflower ok I’ll look into it, thanks again!

[BuffaloCauliflower]

No worries great for getting on with things whilst keeping baby close too!

[PaganOfTheGoodTimes]

We use the babymoov pillow and can recommend them, I’ve used them for both my sons. The baby Bjorn isn’t meant to be great for young babies hips but stretchy wraps are brilliant for holding them close, I have a Hana wrap but there are lots of options on amazon!