Flat head

Erinbsise

My son looks like one side of his head is kind of flat and the other side is still round the way it should be. He always sleeps with his head to one side even if I move his head over and over he will move it back. Any suggestions to fix this?

DahliaFlower

Are you reversing his position head to foot?  That way he would have to look out in the opposite direction.  

Erinbsise

DahliaFlower said:

Are you reversing his position head to foot?  That way he would have to look out in the opposite direction.  

Should I prop him on his side with a pillow behind him?

DahliaFlower

Erinbsise said:

Are you reversing his position head to foot?  That way he would have to look out in the opposite direction.  

Should I prop him on his side with a pillow behind him?

No, you shouldn't put a pillow in the crib with him (or loose blanket or anything else for that matter) owing to risk of SIDS.  Just switch his position back and forth head to foot.  

Do you leave him in a carseat for prolonged periods?  This can also be a problem.

If you are worried, you should see your pediatrician.  There's only a limited time to correct this issue.  

Erinbsise

We go tomorrow for his 2 month check up so I will ask then! Thank you!

jennafenna25

All of my kids head had a flat spot and it worked it self out over time. Don't beat yourself up over it. My child is almost 7 weeks and he has a flat spot and he never stays in the car seat because I try to stay at home with him. I'm also going to try what Dahlia said about reversing his position but I know it will go back normal in a couple of months.

buchenroth

Noggin nest is highly recommended. Look it up on amazon. Good luck!

ASmallWonder

Two months is young for major concern over flat head.  It's likely your baby favored that side in the womb and it doesn't have anything to do with facing out so you can switch his position but unless he's trying to see something, he'll likely still favor that side when he sleeps.  In the next couple months his tummy time will increase and he'll have a stronger core so he can spend time in a Bumbo or jumper and that helps give their heads time to round out.  The ideal time to investigate a helmet is 4-5 months so mention it to your pedi but don't be surprised if he/she says you'll revisit the issue in a couple months.

juliane2004

buchenroth said:

Noggin nest is highly recommended. Look it up on amazon. Good luck!

Can you use this in the crib (if they aren't rolling)? Ours has a slight right sided flatness too. He's 6 weeks old.

ranaverde

There's also a little hat you can have them wear that supposedly helps with this.  I think it's called a Tortle.

Kim22

I noticed that with my DD at 1 month only because my nephew had it bad and needed one of those helmets to fix it. My DD had torticollis where her neck muscles pulled more to one side because of her position in the womb. She went to physical therapy from 2 months to 7 months to fix this and the flat spot resolved on its own. I'm really glad we treated it early, definitely talk to your dr.

Erinbsise

wedding06 said:

Can I ask a similar question...what if it is flat in the back? He sleeps on his back and I need to hold his head as his neck isn't strong enough. The Ped said not to worry about it now but I figure it is worth asking for suggestions. Thanks and sorry for the post hi-jack!

Maybe try holding him in a different position. My littles ones neck has gotten stronger so I hold him upright almost like on my hip or put him in my baby backpack so he's not flat on the back of his head. Also try feeding him on both arms to even it out. I am bad about using only my left arm so I have started feeding on my right side. Hope that helps!

buchenroth

Re: noggin nest- if they aren't rolling I think it would be okay to use while sleeping

cheverian87

My DS is 7 weeks old and is also favouring laying his head on the right side. I do the head to toe switch nightly but he still positions his head on the right side. Will be asking my doctor at his two month appointment, but I don't see a need to worry about it right yet. I try to give him plenty of tummy time as will to see if that helps. 

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

slh6363

I would def bring it up with the pedi. Although not all flat spots mean it is torticolus it is worth having it checked out bc the earlier you start intervening the better. A flat spot on the back is more typical, but if it is on one side, that would more so indicate a reason for LO not wanting to turn a certain way. And the noggin nest is absolutely not recommend for sleeping, there have been recalls for suffocation hazards. I have one and it states it is only intended for supervised use and it seated reclined positions, like a bouncy seat or swing, never flat.

jennajoybeck

My DD always looks to her right. Not just slit lay to her right, but head turned all the way to right. It doesn't matter which way I lay her in her crib, she looks auto the right, whether that means looking at the wall or into the room. Our ped showed us some stretches to do and that has helped a little, but not enough IMO. We're in the process of getting her into a chiropractor who specializes in babies. I believe she is suffering from torticollis and have read stories of chiropractic adjustments helping. I hope you've gotten advice from your ped by now too.

huntjul

Erinbsise said:

Can I ask a similar question...what if it is flat in the back? He sleeps on his back and I need to hold his head as his neck isn't strong enough. The Ped said not to worry about it now but I figure it is worth asking for suggestions. Thanks and sorry for the post hi-jack!

Maybe try holding him in a different position. My littles ones neck has gotten stronger so I hold him upright almost like on my hip or put him in my baby backpack so he's not flat on the back of his head. Also try feeding him on both arms to even it out. I am bad about using only my left arm so I have started feeding on my right side. Hope that helps!

@Erinbsise Baby shouldn't go in a baby backpack until head control is well established at 4-6 months min.

jennajoybeck

Sing2phins said:

jennajoybeck said:

My DD always looks to her right. Not just slit lay to her right, but head turned all the way to right. It doesn't matter which way I lay her in her crib, she looks auto the right, whether that means looking at the wall or into the room. Our ped showed us some stretches to do and that has helped a little, but not enough IMO. We're in the process of getting her into a chiropractor who specializes in babies. I believe she is suffering from torticollis and have read stories of chiropractic adjustments helping. I hope you've gotten advice from your ped by now too.

My baby does this too, to the right, no matter which way we lay her down, but I don't think it's torticollis - have you googled for pictures and a description of what torticollis actually is?  It's not a full head turn to either side, it's the chin and forehead facing different directions, and usually there's a bump on the neck.  My LO doesn't have either of those symptoms - does yours?

I know what you mean by the tilt. No, DD doesn't necessarily have a tilt as much as she just always looks to the right. Her ped showed concern at her two month appt and said we'd revisit the topic (to see if she needs to go to PT) at her 4 month appointment. I'm trying to be proactive and am going to see what the chiro thinks. Can't hurt, and starting at the first of the year my insurance covers chiro, so no biggie there.

dunvilles

Erinbsise said:

My son looks like one side of his head is kind of flat and the other side is still round the way it should be. He always sleeps with his head to one side even if I move his head over and over he will move it back. Any suggestions to fix this?

It is something to think about and something to speak with your doctor about. My son had plagiocephally and torticollis. To look at him, he just liked to sleep with his head on one side and had a flat spot. We ended up seeing a cranial specialist and had to do many exercises to lengthen his neck muscles on his other side. Also, we had to remember to hold him not just on one side and make sure he laid with his head facing the other direction as well.

Glad you noticed it and will be speaking to your doctor about this!

Erinbsise

Yes babies can go in baby backpack facing IN. No need for head control there! Thanks though!

Erinbsise

huntjul said:

Erinbsise said:

wedding06 said:

Can I ask a similar question...what if it is flat in the back? He sleeps on his back and I need to hold his head as his neck isn't strong enough. The Ped said not to worry about it now but I figure it is worth asking for suggestions. Thanks and sorry for the post hi-jack!

Maybe try holding him in a different position. My littles ones neck has gotten stronger so I hold him upright almost like on my hip or put him in my baby backpack so he's not flat on the back of his head. Also try feeding him on both arms to even it out. I am bad about using only my left arm so I have started feeding on my right side. Hope that helps!

@Erinbsise Baby shouldn't go in a baby backpack until head control is well established at 4-6 months min.

Yes baby can go in back pack carrier facing IN. No need for head control there! Thanks!