Noticing differences in your child’s appearance can leave you feeling concerned but making a big deal out of a physical difference can hinder your child’s self-esteem as they grow. Ears are one of those physical attributes that parents pose the most concern over which is why we are asking Is a baby ear folding while sleeping any cause for concern?
Baby Ear Folding While Sleeping – Should I Worry?
Babies share their DNA with you and dad which allows them to have wonderful quirks in their physical appearance. Yet noticing your baby’s ear folding over when sleeping can contribute to protruding of their outer ear. Protruding ears are not thought to be a medical issue yet the way parents deal with them can make their children self-conscious as they grow.
Baby’s Uniqueness
All babies are unique and different. From squishy cheeks to a cute button nose the love you feel when you see your child for the first time can be overwhelming. This love can also be coupled with worry.
Counting ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, the first thing you hope for is for your baby to be healthy. The spark ignites in your belly when you realize your baby is here. No more guessing who they will look like or what coloring they have. This is when many moms notice any physical differences.
Ears, being one of the most noticeable features alongside the nose is one of the worries many moms have regarding physical appearance. Stick with us and we will discover the ins and outs of protruding ears and answer do babies ears fold over when sleeping?
Baby’s Protruding Ears
Ears that stick out more do not cause any impairment regarding hearing or impact health in any way. Protruding ears are classed as an aesthetic defect. The term ‘defect’ is not one you want to hear when it comes to your children but I feel it necessary to reinforce that protruding ears are merely a physical difference in your baby’s appearance.
When in the womb your baby is confined to a small space so on their birth day they tend to look all squished and utterly perfect. It’s usually as they grow moms notice their ears seem to stick out more than before.
After my second labor, the nurses placed a tiny little person on my chest, flooded with love. I couldn’t help but notice her ear was totally folded, almost glued to her face. After a quick wash, I soon came to realize her ear had folded as she traveled through the birth canal but it did spark a glimmer of concern. Would this affect her ear at all?
In the first few months of life, your baby’s ear cartilage is super soft meaning it can misshapen. This is even more so if your baby is prone to sleeping on one side of their head with their ear folded.
A baby whose ear folds while sleeping may have the protruding ear aerate for a while but this tends to correct itself as they grow. Their affected ear will resume the correct positioning for them.
It’s important to recognize that protruding ears cannot develop if they fold over during nap times. The main cause for them is genetics. Your baby is 50% you and 50% dad so if the aesthetic defect is present on any side this will be the cause.
Now we know that I hope you feel a little at ease when your baby sleeps. Even though you love all their little quirks, the thought that they could look ‘different’ as they grow can seem scary.
How To Stop Babies’ Ears Folding Over When Sleeping
Even though we acknowledge baby ears folding over when sleeping cannot contribute to lasting protrusion, some moms have turned to various solutions to help prevent it from happening.
- Ensure Their Ears Are Flat When You Lay Them to Rest.
So probably not the best tip but it is definitely common sense. As you lay your baby down on their back you can make sure their ears are flat rather than folded. If your little one prefers to turn their head, lifting it gently will help their pinner (outer ear) remain unfolded.
- Use of a Bonnet
You can opt to use specially designed baby bonnets made out of breathable netting. They would be placed over your baby’s head ensuring the ears are held flat. Advice for using normal bonnets is not recommended as it can lead to suffocation and overheating. If you wish to try this method, ensure you buy the specific brands on the market.
- Use Ear Correctors
Alongside the baby bonnet are silicone prosthetics that stick the ears to the head. Some on the market also include the bonnet for double the protection. Again be aware that these sticky adhesive correctors should not be used for long periods meaning they may not be the best thing to use overnight. Not to mention the risk of choking if they were to come loose.
- Invasive Surgery.
This by no means should be taken lightly. Otoplasty Surgery on a young child is only deemed medically necessary if their health is at risk. Protruding ears can be corrected through pining of the ears but doctors will refrain from performing such drastic tactics until your baby is around 6/7 years of age.
The Real Concern about Your Baby’s Ear Folding
Without judgment we need to identify the real concern for correcting your baby’s ear shape. Whether it’s a temporary or permanent issue we need to understand why many moms feel they need such intervention.
- Bullying
Bullying is disgusting. The pure thought that someone can go out of their way to make another feel bad or conscious about their appearance is absurd yet it is still a growing concern.
Kids can be cruel, let’s face it! Knowing your child may grow up with protruding ears can feel like throwing them into the lion’s den. This is why so many ear corrector products are now being made available.
My thoughts on this matter are that instead of changing our looks to fit in, surely we should direct our efforts to eradicate bullying around physical appearances. Sadly, I know it is totally impossible to eradicate all forms of bullying but lifting our children up, and making them feel stronger and proud of their looks can change the way bullying can be received.
- Words Hurt
This is a classic ‘not thinking before speaking’ syndrome. No matter where you are or what you are doing if your child looks a little bit different you can bet your bottom dollar, someone, somewhere will comment. Even if it is not meant in a hurtful way any mom feels the need to demonstrate her lioness skills when protecting her cub from hurtful comments.
I was born with feet turned inward and even though I don’t remember, my parents explained to me as an adult the sheer distraught they felt when people would comment. They did everything they could with the help of doctors as this did impact my physical health and my muscles soon stretched enough for normal use of my legs and feet but the comments made even by strangers were ruthless.
There are times when surgery may be the best way forward. Whilst teaching in a first-grade class I had a little girl whose ears were severely protruding. Her mom and dad didn’t take intervention lightly and after much deliberation with myself, doctors, and her eagerness to ‘have new ears’ they agreed to proceed with surgery to correct the protrusion.
Is Intervention Necessary?
The way you handle situations will have a lasting effect on your child. If their ears are protruding even the slightest comment can make them feel self-conscious.
When I was a child I had rather large feet from an early age. My dad and sister always made comments about how big my shoes were, this not only hurt but made me hate my feet!
Dealing with differences in our children should be taken with precaution. Our actions speak loudly to them and the way they feel about their bodies.
Obviously using methods whilst your baby is young won’t be as significant to their self-esteem but as they grow it can create a minefield of how they see themselves in an already photoshopped airbrushed ‘perfect’ world.
Wrapping Up
To conclude and answer, is a baby ear folding while sleeping a cause for any concern?
No not at all, ears can fold but it won’t make any lasting effect as to whether their ears protrude or not. You should consider your actions carefully not to damage their self esteem and protect their self image at all costs.
If using interventions is your choice then please be aware of the risks when using products. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome can be lowered when you refrain from adding items to your child as they sleep.
As your child grows they will make you aware of any differences they feel uncomfortable about and it is only at this point do I feel intervention could be considered.
My opinion is leave your sleeping baby lie, they are in every way unique and different. We should learn to love the differences amongst ourselves and others rather than seeking conformity.
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