As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Tummy time and repositioning are methods to prevent and/or correct flat head syndrome.

Tummy Time
When? Start tummy time soon after birth!
Why? It promotes muscle development in your baby’s neck, shoulder and upper body. It builds the muscles that your baby needs to roll, sit and crawl. It helps prevemt tight neck muscles and the development of flat areas on the back of your baby’s head as excessive time is spent with being left on the back, leading to head shape abnormalities.
It’s never too early to start and it’s never enough!
bonding time
Lie on your back or in a reclined position, place baby on your chest, facing you. This will encourage your baby to lift the head to look at you. Tummy time is also a great time to bond with your baby.
start slow

Have your baby lie on their tummy (on playmat, cot or mattress), with weight on their forearms. Start slow: start tummy time for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day
use props

Place a cushion or pillow under baby’s chest to help your baby to lift his/her head. Increase tummy time to 5 minutes or more, on every awake moment.
find a buddy

Tummy time is like an exercise, it gets easier with a buddy. It doesn’t need to be another baby, be on tummy time with your baby, face your baby and keep encouraging them. When the going gets tough, the tough get going
build up gradually
Your baby will gain strength from tummy time and will be able to build up to 10-15 minutes per interval (or more) by the time they are 3 months old.

supervise at all times
Always supervise; never leave your baby alone when on tummy time.
take a break when needed!


Repositioning
What? Alternating the position of your baby’s head
Why? Allows even distribution of weight of your baby’s head. Repositioning helps prevent preferred sleeping position on one side that often result in flat head syndrome.
How? Alternate carrying positions when feeding; alternate the head position of baby when sleeping.
when asleep
While baby is asleep (on his back), diligently alternate your baby’s head position (left and right).
when feeding
When feeding, alternate the arm used when holding your baby to avoid adding pressure to the same side of head.