Plagiocephaly or head flattening

[jensoprano82]

So according to my research over 40% of babies experience some head flattening at some point. Ever since "back to sleep" it's hard to avoid!

So if you've observed it in your LO, have spoken with your pedi about it, or experienced this with a previous child, please share. What steps have you taken? Would you purchase the extremely expensive not-covered-by-insurance helmet or band? Btdt... What was the result?

[junebugjam]

I think about this all the time but my ped didn't mention it at our appointment on Friday. Do I assume that means he's ok? His head looks alright to me but I have no idea what I'm really looking for unless it would be totally obvious.

[jensoprano82]

My pedi showed me by looking at the baby's head from directly overhead. You can see about a 2" flat spot on the side he favors. If your pedi didn't mention it, you've probably either lucked out or it isn't severe enough to concern you with. Unless you have reason to think otherwise....

[seamonster]

No flatness here, but I was given a handout on positioning to avoid it and we swap which end of the bed LO sleeps at and which way he faces on the changing table to even out which head side is down.

[miniwheat]

My son was born with a flat spot on the back right side of his head. We were told if it didn't correct itself or be significantly improved by 6 weeks old to see our Dr. At 6 weeks we had no improvement so we went to the Dr and were given some tips on helping him learn to favour the other side like putting his head on the other side of the crib and propping him up with a rolled towel etc. Our DS is a big baby, so he easily wiggles himself off the towel and has a hard time with tummy time so our improvement has been slow. So far our Dr isn't too worried as it will improve faster as he can hold his head up while seated and as his neck gains strength and can do longer stretches of tummy time.

I am however considering getting something called a Tortle... its a hat that helps position the head to the non favoured side. It has some good reviews but I always like to hear that it was worth it from other moms... so if you used one let me know! This product also is not for use overnight... only when baby is supervised.

tortle.com/product/tortle-head-repositioning-beanie/

[abseptember]

one of my twins has a flat spot on the left side of his head. He definitely favors that side. I've been working on repositioning, tummy time, changing sides when feeding, chafing ends of crib, etc. I showed it to his pedi who isn't really concerned jut said to keep doing what we are and will check at 4 mths. I dont think it has gotten better or worse. So we'll see what happens as he becomes more mobile. As far as the helmet, if the flattening is bad enough that a helmet is needed to correct it,then he will for sure get one. After 12 mths, head shape is pretty much set, so the window for doing something about it is fairly short.

[mishka29]

My friends DD1 ended up needing a helmet. The flat spot was at the front of her head and when you looked at her you couldn't really see it. However when you looked at her in the mirror it was very apparent.

[flyster]

I asked my Dr about Los head and she said it wasn't bad enough for concern just to keep trying to turn his head to one side or another. He is starting to sit (on my lap) tummy time or be up against my shoulder much more now so I'm hoping his head doesn't get worse.

[kerrigrooves]

My LO has a slight flat spot on the back of the head and pedi said it wasnt bad enough to worry, I try to do alot of tummy time and wear him.

MY dd's plate fusion were of concern to her pedi at one point and it corrected itself.

Like a pp said, I think the avoidance of tummy sleeping can lead to flat spots.

[miniwheat]

I got the Tortle hat! I am still trying to figure it out but DS seems to be ok with wearing it. I will try and post a pic if I can figure it out the TCF format.

[lotsofdotts]

My oldest son had to wear a helmet for this, so I am overly sensitive to this. I asked the pedi about this on Tuesday at Brady's appointment because he only sleeps on the right side of his head no matter what I do. The doctor did see a slight flattening but nothing to really worry about just yet. What did worry him was that Brady may have a muscle tightening issue because he resists turning his head to the left. He moves it to the left on his own, but he resisted when the doctor tried to do it, so we don't know if he was just being stubborn or if it is a muscle issue. We will be watching it because if it is a muscle issue he will need therapy.

[lilyelayne]

Apr 23, 2015 9:02:50 GMT -5 miniwheat said:

I got the Tortle hat! I am still trying to figure it out but DS seems to be ok with wearing it. I will try and post a pic if I can figure it out the TCF format.

Upload pic to www.*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*! and copy/paste the BBCode link. Or use your photo uploading site of choice & c/p BBCode.

[WittyLittle]

I was just about to bring this up! Our LO favors laying on his right side and has started getting a lopsided head. So not just a flat spot where he favours, but the opposite 'corner' so to speak of his head is starting to also move outwards slightly. We have a pedi appointment for it tomorrow. I'm pretty scared that he'll have to wear a helmet, too. Tummy time has been a disaster, he absolutely hates it. So now I'm wearing him as much as I can. I'll try and order one of those tortle hats soon as I find a distributor for holland. Probably through amazon or something like that? I feel really guilty about my guy's lopsided head

[seamonster]

lotsofdotts, LO has a physiotherapy appointment for the same issue. We have to switch up which direction we lay him in the crib and on the changing table. I also try to put him down facing the other side for tummy time.

[PikoPiko]

My friend's LO has this issue, it's really obvious when viewed from above. The pedi said most cases improve between 4-6 months when babies are more upright, so they're waiting til 6months to decide on the helmet.

[miniwheat]

I was wondering how your kiddos are doing with tummy time.

We are trying to do as much tummy time as we can but DS doesn't seem to be getting any better at it. He is still having a really hard time lifting his head and isn't pushing up on his arms yet. He is big, 15lbs at 12 weeks, so he has a lot to lift, but I am just curious to see how your babies are doing?

[flyster]

mine is not a fan. he does this thing where he slams his face down really hard, so I've taken to only doing tummy time on my bed where its soft. Depending on his mood he will tolerate it for up to 5 minutes. 1/2 the time he gets his head up pretty well, the other half he just smashes is face into the bed and kicks his legs/gets his butt int he air. He's actually flipped himself over a few times doing that. Not much arm lifting action happening yet. He's 12 weeks for reference.

[jensoprano82]

Mine is 14 weeks today, 11lbs, and still does not "push up". He despises tummy time but we're doing lots of sitting up and 'walking'. His pedi warned us that he might be slower than others on some of the physical stuff because he's small.

[greenpony33]

I am glad to hear we're not behind on tummy time. DS has not interest in tummy time, I am lucky if we get 2/3 mins at a time done. Also, he doesn't really push up much, just gets fussy and keeps his head to the side. I thought LO was the only one not really pushing up. When he is on our chests or is facing out he holds his head up quite well. He will be 12 wks on Monday and is about 12/13 lbs.

[junebugjam]

Mine likes it much better when I prop him up with the boppy. He doesn't push himself up really but I try to position his hands underneath him to give him the idea.

[miniwheat]

May 1, 2015 16:36:45 GMT -5 junebugjam said:

Mine likes it much better when I prop him up with the boppy. He doesn't push himself up really but I try to position his hands underneath him to give him the idea.

This is what I end up doing as well. It helps a lot.

[seamonster]

LO hates tummy time and even if I put him down in a pushup position he likes to put his head down to the side and lick his hand for 5-10 minutes before wailing. I have to work with him on his head lag because of it. Physiotherapist showed he another tummy time method of lying lo across my lap so his head hangs off to strengthen his neck muscles.

[mle106]

My LO has developed some flatness on the back of his head. I can't tell if it's more on one side than the other. He gets plenty of tummy time, and I wear him or hold him for much of the day. His head was nice and round until we transitioned him from the padded swing to the RNP for a week (which is a rant for another day, that I didn't realize how hard the RNP was, and a week of sleeping in it flattened his head...)

Now he sleeps in his crib, so the only times he is on his back are in the crib (most naps and at night), changing table, and car seat in the car. His next dr appointment isn't until June for his 4 month check-up. Is it worth a visit sooner, or can it wait until then? Not looking to have him in a helmet or anything if we can help it...

[miniwheat]

mle106, I would call into your Dr's office let them know what you are noticing and see if they recommend having him go in for a look. Even if they don't need to see him until his 4 month well visit, they may give you some things to try in addition to tummy time.

[miniwheat]

So how are your kiddos doing this month? June is almost here and we will be heading into our 4 month well baby visits. Any improvements with your LO's plagiocephaly? Are you bringing in any questions to your pedi in regards to it? How is tummy time going?

My DS has shown no improvement that we can notice
We are going to put in our DS's file that if at 6 months there is no improvement we would like to move ahead with more treatment.
In regards to tummy time, we have had no change. He can lift his head slightly with his fists under his chin for a short period while using the nursing pillow. Without the pillow he can only lift his head for a quick couple of seconds and has not figured out to use his arms to help yet.
To be 100% honest I am feeling worried that he will need a a helmet. I was hoping to help him through this and get it corrected over time but it hasn't happened yet.

[taberbtb]

B has had slight flattening on her left side since ~6wk. I mentioned it to our Dr at her 2 month appointment but he told me that's normal in young babies and left it at that. It hasn't gotten worse, nor has it gotten better.

I don't know if he was blowing me off or if it's not severe enough to be concerned?

[FlutterOfYoshis]

After reading this post, I had gotten a bit worried and asked my friend who's a pediatrician about it. She said that mild head-flattening comes with the territory now that babies spend more time on their backs, but do keep an eye on it (and if baby tends to always sleep on one side try flipping around their position to encourage some time on the other side). Once 6 months comes along and baby is sitting up/holding the head up more often, most cases right themselves. She also said the same is true of bald spots. Still keeping an eye on it, but this reassured me. I'm sure more severe cases are treated earlier.

[jensoprano82]

My pediatrician liked my LO's progress and says it is now what he would consider "mild". He has started really rounding out in the last 2-3 weeks (18 weeks now)

[PikoPiko]

My LO's flat spot got worse since I mentioned it to the pedi at the 2 months well check. His response was it gets better between 4-6 months when DS spends less time on his back. Now at 16 weeks, DS is still spending 80% of his time on his back, that's how he sleeps. I'm really worried he doesn't improve in the next couple months.

[miniwheat]

jensoprano82, Great news!

PikoPiko, I am right there with you. DS's ear looks like its being pushed out a little bit now. I am having lots of trouble keeping him off his head at night. He is strong enough to move away from the the position he needs to be in and he head is so heavy, tummy time is super difficult for him.