Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Baby flat head fears stoking risks — research

PARENTS are putting their babies at risk of cot death by stuffing pillows, towels and toys around the child as they sleep in the hope of preventing them developing a flat head, researchers warn.

Vern O'Sullivan with her daughter Kyra, 11 weeks old.

PARENTS are putting their babies at risk of cot death by stuffing pillows, towels and toys around the child as they sleep in the hope of preventing them developing a flat head, researchers warn.

Conflicting advice from health professionals about the prevention and treatment of the craniofacial problem plagiocephaly, which can happen if babies lie in the same position for long periods, has meant many parents are “willing to do anything” to prevent it.

Queensland baby sleep consultant Amanda Bude says that a big part of her job is doing “environmental health checks” on cots as parents are often confused.

A survey of 130 parents, grandparents and clinicians by the George Institute of Global Health at the University of Sydney also found the high number of parents concerned about flat head was “clogging up the patient pool” and eating up a doctor’s time for more serious complaints.

The prevalence of “flat head syndrome” has risen since guidelines were introduced in the early 1990s to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by sleeping babies on their back, with about 20 per cent of infants now developing a misshapen head.

Vern O'Sullivan is aware ofo the risks with her daughter Kyra.

And while parents are advised to use “tummy time” and different back sleeping positions to encourage a natural skull shape to develop, Associate Professor Alexandra Martiniuk said parents were reporting giving their babies pillows to sleep on, or propping up one side of the mattress with rolled towels.

Each year more than 50 Australian infants die in a sudden and explained way.

“Parents told us because they could see their baby getting a flat head, they felt it was a more real threat than cot death. So when they noticed a flat spot developing they stopped following SIDS safe sleeping guidelines,” Associate Prof Martiniuk said.

Experts say parents should be more concerned about SIDS than the risk of developing a flat head.

“We know that many parents are confused and fearful and are being given conflicting advice from health care professionals.

“There needs to be clear messaging about how parents can safely prevent flat head syndrome from developing.”

The findings were published in the journal Child: Care, Health and Development.

Gold Coast mum of two brie Quartermaine says she has never put pillows or soft toys in her children’s cots.

“Research has made it clear that there is a real risk of SIDS. I have always put the children to sleep on their backs as I was more worried about cot death than flat head,” she said.