The heads of babies are exceptionally soft because the bones of the skull are still developing. If not properly looked after, they can develop flat spots. However, this can be easily avoided with some dedicated guidance and top-notch infant care.

The most common reason why babies can have uneven heads is because of staying too long in one lying position, mostly with their backs on the bed. The distinguished Mayo Clinic notes that you’ll notice two soft areas at the top of your baby’s head where the skull bones haven’t yet grown together. These spots, called fontanels, are designed to allow a baby’s relatively large head to move through the narrow birth canal. They also accommodate your baby’s rapidly growing brain during infancy. But because your baby’s skull is malleable, too much time in one position can result in an uneven head shape well past the time when birth-related lopsidedness evens out. This is known as positional molding.

Positional molding is most common in babies who spend most of their time on their backs in cribs, car seats or infant seats. Although this is the safest position for sleep, there’s plenty you can to do to keep your baby’s head from becoming flat or lopsided. Here are more guidelines from the Mayo Clinic:

- Change direction. Place your baby on his or her back to sleep, but alternate the direction your baby’s head faces. Or place your baby’s head near the foot of the crib one day, the head of the crib the next. Use varying positions in the car seat and other infant seats, too. You might also consider using a neck-positioning device — such as a specially designed wedge or U-shaped pad — while your baby sleeps. Never rest your baby’s head on a pillow or other type of soft bedding.
- Hold your baby. Holding your baby when he or she is awake will help relieve pressure on your baby’s head from swings, carriers and infant seats.
- Try tummy time. With close supervision, place your baby on his or her tummy to play. Make sure the surface is firm. If you must leave the room, bring your baby with you.
- Get creative. Position your baby so that he or she will have to turn away from the flattened side of the head to look at you or to track movement or sound in the room. Move the crib occasionally to give your baby a new vantage point.

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