The German Association for Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery has recommended that parents regularly change their infant's body position to protect the head from deformities. The association explained that infants should be shifted from lying on their backs to lying on their stomachs or sides to prevent flat spots at the back of the head, as changing positions assists the back of the head in assuming its natural rounded shape.
Additionally, the association noted that consistently sleeping on one side increases the risk of developing asymmetrical and unilateral head deformities. Generally, the association advises parents to consult a doctor if they notice flatness at the back of the infant's head, as this may indicate a congenital deformity known as "torticollis," which is a painful spasm of the neck muscles, often affecting the large neck muscle, causing the head to tilt or bend to one side or forward or backward.
This condition can be treated through physical therapy, chiropractic care, or by wearing a medical helmet.
