Having babies sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) has resulted in another problem...babies with flattened heads.

     In 1992 the American Academy of Pediatrics launched a campaign to encourage parents to have infants sleep on their backs rather than their tummies.  Since then SIDS has decreased more than 40 percent.  Infant skull deformities, however, have increased.

     While not encouraging parents to go back to tummy sleeping, the question is "What can be done to prevent flattened heads?"

     The July issue of Pediatrics includes a clinical report with recommendations on the matter.

     "The key thing is putting babies on their backs in order to reduce SIDS. But in order to reduce the likelihood of having a skull deformity related to persistent head position on the back, you just have to turn the head from the right to the left on alternate nights," says Dr. John Persing, co-author of the report and professor and chief of plastic surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.

     Dr. Adam Aponte, chairman of the departments of pediatrics and ambulatory care at North General Hospital in New York City suggests "tummy time" or time spent on their stomachs while they are awake and supervised.  This will also help build arm strength and the ability to move the head a little more.

     Another suggestion is to change the position of the crib so the infant must turn his head away from the flattened side to see people or activity.

     Aponte says these measures only need to be followed for the first 2 or 3 months. "Once the baby learns how to roll over, you can't control it."