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Healthy Head and Neck Development

 

When babies are born, their skulls can be soft and they can have weak neck muscles. It is important to reposition your baby often throughout the day in order to help their head and neck to develop properly at that age. Repositioning your baby keeps them from spending too much time in one position. Most of the time, babies spend a lot of time on their backs. However, lying on their back for a long period of time can increase the pressure on the baby’s skull because it is very soft. This pressure can lead to the baby having a flattened area on the baby’s head. Furthermore, babies often turn their heads to one side when placed on their backs, which can lead to a different condition called torticollis. Torticollis is when the muscles on one side of a baby’s neck become tight and increase difficulty to move to the other side or in general. Repositioning them can help prevent these conditions and aid in overall healthy development for the baby. Below are some tips to reposition your baby throughout the day: 


1. Hold your baby often and decrease the amount of time your baby spends in carriers. Holding your baby can keep pressure off the back of their head. 


2. Try to have your baby turn their head to both sides. Alternate which side of the crib your baby’s head faces each night. One night, place their head towards the top of the crib. Then the next night, place their head towards the foot. This can help your baby to turn to each side in order to face you and the room. Another way is to alternate the direction your baby faces on the changing table. Lastly, alternate which arm you hold your baby in during feedings. 


3. Visual tracking exercises can strengthen your baby’s neck muscles by helping them to look in multiple directions. You can do this by using a toy, rattle, or your face to get your baby’s attention. Then slowly move the toy towards their opposite shoulder and back again. If your baby begins to lose focus, try bringing the toy back to center and repeat. Do this exercise with your baby in all positions - on their tummy, sitting up, and on their back.


 4. Your baby should spend time on their tummy every day to strengthen their neck muscles and reduce pressure on the back of their head. You can gradually work up to an hour of tummy time per day, broken up into chunks throughout the day even. Tummy time can be spent in a variety of ways, including on the floor, on a caregiver’s chest, or even over a pillow. If you have concerns about your baby's head shape or suspect they may be favoring one side, talk to your baby’s health care provider. These conditions are treatable, especially when caught early! 


Resources: Medbridge Patient Education-Disclaimer: This program provides exercises related to your condition that you can perform at home. As there is a risk of injury with any activity, use caution when performing exercises. If you experience any pain or discomfort, discontinue the exercises and contact your health care provider.

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