“My mom said I had a bald spot from sleeping on my back, and I don’t want that to happen to my son.”

Babies who sleep on their backs can develop some temporary bald spots on the back of the head. As the baby grows, moves and begins to sit up more often, the hair on the
back of the baby’s head will grow back. A bald spot on the back of a baby’s head can be a sign of a healthy baby, one whose risk for sleep-related SUID/SIDS is lower because he or she is a
back sleeper. While the baby is awake, aware and supervised, tummy time is recommended and will help to decrease the friction on the back of the head that leads to the temporary bald spots.

“I refuse to let my daughter sleep on her back because I have heard that she will get a flat head.”

Back sleeping can contribute to flattening of the back of the head, but head flattening is generally temporary. As babies grow and become more active, their skulls will round out. You can reduce head flattening by doing the following:
o Providing tummy time during waking hours;
o Switching which end of the crib you place the baby’s feet, and when changing baby’s diaper, alternating where the baby’s head is on the changing table;
o Changing positions often when the baby is awake; and
o Limiting time spent in freestanding swings, bouncy chairs, car seats, and other surfaces that, with a lot of use, can lead to head flattening