Thousands of babies die in their sleep each year from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is the sudden, unexplained death of a healthy infant.  The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in 1982, began recommending infants sleep on their backs for the first 6 months of life due to studies showing a reduction in the risk of SIDS for babies sleeping on their backs.   80% of parents now follow this advice and, since 1982, there has been a 40% drop in SIDS.   As there has been an increase in babies sleeping on their backs, there has also been an increase in positional plagiocephaly, more commonly known as “flat-head syndrome.”  

I first heard about flat-head syndrome, when my daughter’s pediatrician mentioned that Kaitlyn’s head was becoming flat.  She said Kaitlyn’s head was not severely flat yet, but it could become worse, with the potential of developing “flat head syndrome.”  This condition occurs when one of more joints between the bones of the skull close up too early and the baby’s head becomes deformed.   Kaitlyn’s pediatrician suggested we try repositional therapy.  But Kaitlyn disliked tummy-time and lying on her side and continued to lie on her back.  

I began searching for solutions by researching and buying products and reaching out to moms on blogs with similar issues.  I found that “flat-head syndrome” was much more prevalent than I had expected and that many mother’s shared my experience with this condition.  However, I never found a solution that helped my baby.  As a concerned mother, I was running out of options.   So as a designer, I created an innovative pillow, the Baby Moon pillow and neck support.  

For more information on SIDS and positional plagiocephaly, please visit http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_infslpos_hhg.htm and http://www.babycenter.com/0_plagiocephaly-flat-head-syndrome_1187981.bc#articlesection1.