Flat Head

Sherriberry

DS is getting a flat head in the back.  He's a big boy and he sleeps quite a bit (probably 16 hours a day).  I try to keep him off the back of his head when he's awake but it's just not enough.

Anyone else? What are you doing about it? 

Dr. said it would eventually go back to normal and that it's not that bad yet. The look of it just bothers me.  Now that he's getting a bald spot there it looks even worse!

hmms

My DS has one too, and yes, the hair is rubbing off there.  His is on the back-right side.  We talked about it at his 4-month, and now his pedi referred him to a pedi plastic surgeon at Mayo!  He might have to wear a helmet for it - I'm soooo upset over it.  I know in the big picture, its purely cosmetic, and he could have a major illness which would be 1000x worse - but I don't want him to wear one!  I'm hoping the 2nd opinion decides against it.

We are attempting to be diligent about repositioning him at night, but the little stinker always seems to end up right back in the same spot.

armo

We've noticed one DD's head flattening out a bit too, starting just a couple weeks ago (now 4 months old adjusted).  LIke you, our pedi wasn't worried about it and said it will keep changing for a few months, and when DD starts rolling around more, etc, there wont' be as much time on her back and so it will be better.

We're trying to put her down on her side when we're with her (even in a bouncy seat or boppy) but it's hard because it's more dangerous and she doesn't always like it

cross your fingers no helmets get needed!

brettzbabydoll

With our first DD, we had many appointments on this topic with neurologists at Children's Hosp. and with a pediatric physical therapist.  The PT did many measurements at our first visit, then repeated at follow up visits to see if there was improvement, worsening, etc.  Based on these measurements, he assessed DD a number on a scale from 1-10.  Her number was a 4 or 5 if I remember correctly.  He told us that helmets should only be recommended for severity over an 8.  Additionally, the neurologist gave us literature from a study he was a part of that showed, at 18 months old, it's basically a wash.  The group of kids that did not wear the helmets had heads just as round as the kids that did wear them.

So - it's only in extreme cases that the helmets are really necessary to make improvement.  Otherwise, patience and some hair growth will fix your problem!  Good luck! 

auburnbride2be

My DD has it on the back right side and they started noticing it at her 2 month appt. She didn't have a 3 month appt, so her 4 month appt. is this Friday and we plan on discussing it then. I feel like it'll resolve itself, however, I won't lie, I've been worried about it. It looks very odd and she has a bald spot across the back of her head too from rubbing the hair off. I haven't had much luck positioning her. I just try to get her to look to the left more when we are playing and I make sure to alternate the way I lay her in the crib and which arm I hold her with when I feed her.