Flat heads?

THD7580

So I feel like a bad mom. LO head is starting to get flat in the back. I'm always trying to get more tummy time in and naps on the tummy while being supervised. Well it seems it's not enough because he's losing hair where he lays there. He's held a lot but I don't know what else to do to prevent this! I prop him up with a blanket in the PNP so he sleeps on the side of his head at night as well..

Junebug060609

First off, you aren't a bad mom.

Plagiocephaly has become way more common since the "back to sleep" thing started (per my sons PT when he had plag and I felt the same as you do now). If you are worried, talk to your pedi. They may send you to a PT who may point out underlying issues...like my son's torticollis.

cbrust

DD has a flat head. Pedi said tummy time 3x day for 15mins. I think she also has torticollis as well, I'm taking her in this week to see. Other than naps and sleep at night she isn't on her head so I'm sure quite sure why hers is so bad. But you aren't a bad mom!!

chillypenguin

DD1 had plagiocephaly due to torticollis. She was evaluated for a helmet at 4.5 months but luckily was just under the cutoff. They said it would greatly improve by the time she was 6 months old and sitting up, and it did. So just do the best you can to limit time on his back, and just keep an eye on it with your pediatrician over the next couple months.

Junebug060609

My DS never needed a helmet, either. His measurements were pretty mild to begin with and thankfully improved with the PT and such.

cnbean

I'm pretty sure most babies have this to some extent. It doesn't make you a bad mom. I know that my Pedi keeps an eye on it to make sure that it doesn't get too bad. Otherwise it sounds like you are doing everything right so try not to worry.

Tifers777

Thanks guys! It's not too bad but I know it's starting. I try to hold him up more and not so laid back but his pedi didn't say anything about it at his 2 mo appt and I mentioned it and she didn't seem worried and laughed it off. I just think being a FM you're paranoid about everything!

Tifers777

Oh and for some reason my other acct isn't letting me log in so I had to use an old acct.. It's still me!

lauralou3x3

cbrust said:

DD has a flat head. Pedi said tummy time 3x day for 15mins. I think she also has torticollis as well, I'm taking her in this week to see. Other than naps and sleep at night she isn't on her head so I'm sure quite sure why hers is so bad. But you aren't a bad mom!!

So what do you do with her the rest of the time? With them not sitting up yet, there's not many options and I feel like LO spends a lot of time in her RNP. I do tummy time and hold her but can't do that all day. I of course googled it and freaked myself out because there are several people claiming that the RNP caused flat head and not recommended for sleeping anymore. My LO has reflux so can't lay flat.

Tifers777

I wonder the same thing.. They can't always be on their stomach and then I freak out he's laying on his back too much.. I tell his sitter to have him at least sit up most of the time if he's not asleep.

cbrust

She hangs out in this sometimes: Fisher-Price Infant-To-Toddler Rocker, Bunny by Fisher-Price https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWN3HRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_U8lXtb1SJRYQB

I feel better about it because she sits more upright and not laying flat on her head.

rona118

At DD's 2 month appt Ped noticed one side was a little flater than other. She suggested propping her on her side to sleep. She hates tummy time but we do it. The issue with side sleeping is she moves in her crib at night. Must use her feet/legs in swaddle to scoot around. So she tends to still wake up on her back. she has no issues with moving her neck though.

Xath

lauralou3x3 said:

DD has a flat head. Pedi said tummy time 3x day for 15mins. I think she also has torticollis as well, I'm taking her in this week to see. Other than naps and sleep at night she isn't on her head so I'm sure quite sure why hers is so bad. But you aren't a bad mom!!

So what do you do with her the rest of the time? With them not sitting up yet, there's not many options and I feel like LO spends a lot of time in her RNP. I do tummy time and hold her but can't do that all day. I of course googled it and freaked myself out because there are several people claiming that the RNP caused flat head and not recommended for sleeping anymore. My LO has reflux so can't lay flat.

Do you babywear at all?  My LO loves the ring sling and the Ergo.