As a mom of two, I’ve experienced the overwhelming joy and the countless challenges that come with raising newborns. One thing I’ve learned through experience, expert videos, and reading is that some of the most critical practices for your baby’s development are also the easiest to miss. Today, I want to share an essential routine that many new parents overlook, often discovering its importance too late—when their newborns require intervention from health professionals to correct avoidable issues. By incorporating this simple routine from day one, you can help ensure your baby’s healthy development and avoid unnecessary complications. Let’s dive in.
Understanding Newborn Development
From the moment they’re born until around three months of age, it’s common to notice that your newborn’s head naturally falls to one side, whether they’re awake or asleep. This is due to several factors:
– Lack of Muscle Control: In the first two months, newborns lack the strength and muscle control to keep their heads steady and centered above their bodies for extended periods.
– Elongated or Unusually Shaped Heads: The molding process during delivery can cause a newborn’s head to be elongated or unusually shaped, making it harder for them to keep their head straight.
– Preferred Head Position: Your baby may show a preference for turning their head in a particular direction, which can lead to tightening of the neck muscles, making it harder to turn their head in the opposite direction.
While it’s normal for a baby’s head to fall to one side, consistently falling to the same side can raise the risk of developing two specific conditions: positional plagiocephaly and positional torticollis.
The Risks of Consistent Head Tilting
– Positional Plagiocephaly: This condition occurs when flat spots develop on the back or side of your baby’s head. While it doesn’t impact brain development, it can lead to asymmetrical head or facial growth and sometimes vision problems. Severe cases may require medical intervention.
– Positional Torticollis: This condition is characterized by tight neck muscles, causing your baby to favor one side of their body. It can affect their balance, muscle strength, and overall posture, making breastfeeding challenging and increasing the risk of positional plagiocephaly.
Helping Your Baby Turn Their Head
To lessen the chance of your baby developing these conditions, it’s crucial to help them turn their head in both directions regularly. Here are some practical ways to do this:
– Playtime: When your baby is on their back during playtime, gently turn their head from one side to the other. If they’re looking towards the right in one session, help them turn to the left in the next.
– Naptime: Change the direction your baby’s head faces with each nap. For one nap, turn their head to the right, and for the next, turn it to the left.
– Holding and Babywearing: When holding your baby or using a baby carrier, gently adjust their head position from time to time by physically turning it.
– Clever Space Arrangement: Set up their play area or crib to encourage your baby to turn their head. For instance, place toys or yourself on one side during tummy time, then switch to the other side for the next session. Position their crib so one side faces a plain wall and the other side opens to the room, encouraging them to turn their head towards the room.
Additional Tips for Encouraging Head Movement
– Switch Arms: When carrying your newborn, switch the arm you’re holding them in to encourage them to turn their head in both directions. For example, if you hold your baby with your left arm, they’ll naturally look to the left. Next time, use your right arm to prompt them to turn their head to the right.
– Alternate Bottle Feeding: Alternate the arms you use for bottle feeding to encourage your baby to turn their head in both directions.
By incorporating these head-turning practices into your newborn’s daily routine, you help gently stretch their neck muscles, reducing the risk of positional torticollis. Moreover, these practices ensure that the pressure on your baby’s soft skull bones is evenly distributed, helping to maintain the roundness of their head and lowering the chances of developing flat spots.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you notice a flat spot developing on your baby’s head, feel any resistance when turning their head, or see that they’re consistently favoring one side, it’s essential to seek professional advice from your baby’s pediatrician. They can refer you to appropriate services if there’s a cause for concern.
The Importance of Tummy Time
Tummy time is another effective method to help prevent flat spots and promote proper head shaping. However, many newborns initially dislike tummy time, often because it’s introduced in a way that’s too challenging. Tummy time doesn’t have to start directly on the floor. There are other positions that can be adjusted to be more or less challenging, depending on your baby’s comfort and skill levels.
Watch this video next to find out about different tummy time positions and how to make each of them easier for your little one.
In conclusion, as new parents, it’s vital to be proactive in supporting your baby’s development. By helping your newborn turn their head regularly and incorporating tummy time, you can prevent conditions like positional plagiocephaly and torticollis. Remember, these small efforts can make a significant difference in your baby’s growth and well-being. Happy parenting!