Community› The Bump Message Boards› Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
New Discussion

My baby's head is flat ... tummy time

mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

So, Wednesday lo and I went to the pedi ... she made the comment that her head is getting flat and that I might want to start doing more tummy time. OMG! I totally crushed my baby's head! Anywho ... my lo HATES tummy time. She totally thinks it sucks ... won't do it for more than a "few (and that's me being generous)" minutes.

I don't know what to do ... first of all, will her head "bounce back?," am I the only one with a flat headed baby?, and what do you all do to "combat" the flat head syndrome and how often and for how long? TIA

 

Report Reply to Post

Re: My baby's head is flat ... tummy time

  • IrishBrideNDIrishBrideND member
    Do you have a boppy? Lo loves to lay in it (her body in the middle and her head propped up on the top). Its a good compromise because they are on their tummies, but not completely lying down which many don't like.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • liza0828liza0828
    Wow, I could have written this exact post.  I went yesterday and the pedi said her head was getting flat.  As the pp suggested I tried the boppy yesterday... she was able to do 5 minutes of tummy time instead of screaming after 30 seconds, so I guess that's progress.  My LO has always hated being on her stomach, even laying chest to chest on me.  I have to hold her facing outwards.  I have been trying to hold her upright more so at least she will not be laying on the back of her head.  My poor flatheaded baby!  Crying 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • liza0828liza0828
    Oh, and the pedi said she should do tummy time for 20 minutes, 3 times a day.  There's no way she will tolerate a 20 minute stretch... I guess we will have to work up to it.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua

    imageIrishBrideND:
    Do you have a boppy? Lo loves to lay in it (her body in the middle and her head propped up on the top). Its a good compromise because they are on their tummies, but not completely lying down which many don't like.

    I'll try that, thanks ... I had just been laying her on her tummy on a blanket on the floor or on her activity mat or even next to me on the couch ... thanks ...

    Report Reply
  • IrishBrideNDIrishBrideND member

     

     In case I didn't explain it well, here she is chilling in her boppy.

    image

    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua

    imageliza0828:
    Oh, and the pedi said she should do tummy time for 20 minutes, 3 times a day.  There's no way she will tolerate a 20 minute stretch... I guess we will have to work up to it.

    Indifferent  20 MINUTES?!!! HOLY CRAP ... my lo would scream bloody murder if I tried that! Lo will allow tummy time if she's laying on me but my pedi said, "whenever she's awake, lay her on her tummy ..." that advice may actually be worse but the actual number (20 minutes) is scary. I'm with ya ... my terrible flatheaded baby!"

    Report Reply
  • ChicagoKariChicagoKari

    First of all, yes...it will correct itself if you try to make efforts to get your LO on her tummy.  We've had to be creative with tummy time...  One of ours only "enjoys" it when he's laying on someone's chest.  The pedi said that was okay and definitely qualifies as tummy time.  And like a pp, our other one likes it on the boppy.  I guess the boppy has a more cushion so it doesn't push against her tummy as much as laying on a blanket or mat on the floor.

    The other thing that you might try, is turning her head to different sides when she naps.  You obviously can't keep her from turning it back the entire time, but at least you can start her out that way and maybe the little time that she isn't laying perfectly face up, will help work things out.  ...just a thought

    GL!

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker image
    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua
    imageIrishBrideND:

     

     In case I didn't explain it well, here she is chilling in her boppy.

    image

     ooooohhhhh THANKS! That's helpful! I'm gonna try it when she wakes up ... thanks for "instructions" with the ADORABLE pic to explain :D

    Report Reply
  • RadicalDreamer143RadicalDreamer143 member
    Hm.  Whenever Liam lies on his back, his head is to either side, he doesn't sleep with his face towards the ceiling.  Whenever I get him going for tummy time, he ends up getting comfy and falling asleep, LOL - again with his head to the side.  How does this help combat flat heads?  His head seems pretty round so far, at least.
    imageimage
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua
    imageChicagoKari:

    First of all, yes...it will correct itself if you try to make efforts to get your LO on her tummy.  We've had to be creative with tummy time...  One of ours only "enjoys" it when he's laying on someone's chest.  The pedi said that was okay and definitely qualifies as tummy time.  And like a pp, our other one likes it on the boppy.  I guess the boppy has a more cushion so it doesn't push against her tummy as much as laying on a blanket or mat on the floor.

    The other thing that you might try, is turning her head to different sides when she naps.  You obviously can't keep her from turning it back the entire time, but at least you can start her out that way and maybe the little time that she isn't laying perfectly face up, will help work things out.  ...just a thought

    GL!

     Thanks ... I have been trying to reposition her head when she sleeps but yep, she moves it back ... she will turn her head to the side while she sleeps on occasion on her own. I just need to be more vigilant ... I think when I saw that she ends up repositioning after I turn her head for her, I kinda gave up ... anywho thanks! I'll get back to it.

    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua

    imageJamieS2006:
    Hm.  Whenever Liam lies on his back, his head is to either side, he doesn't sleep with his face towards the ceiling.  Whenever I get him going for tummy time, he ends up getting comfy and falling asleep, LOL - again with his head to the side.  How does this help combat flat heads?  His head seems pretty round so far, at least.

     Love the pic of the 3 of you! Anywho ..their heads are so soft that constantly lying flat will cause there heads to appear a bit flat in the back, so they suggest making sure that their heads are in various positions so that other parts get some "action."

    Report Reply
  • veggieballveggieball

    Mine hates tummy time too.  We have slowly worked up to 10 - 15 minutes twice a day, but at first he would only tolerate 2 minutes.  When he gets fussy, we rub his back in circles, show him his reflection in a mirror and get on the floor and sing songs to him or give him the pacifier. 

    We also use a smaller size boppy that came with his playmat to change positions (prop him up).  Our pedi told us that time on his tummy can be on your or DH's chest as well.  HTH! 

    Report Reply
  • mitchelltheojuamitchelltheojua
    imageveggieball:

    Mine hates tummy time too.  We have slowly worked up to 10 - 15 minutes twice a day, but at first he would only tolerate 2 minutes.  When he gets fussy, we rub his back in circles, show him his reflection in a mirror and get on the floor and sing songs to him or give him the pacifier. 

    helpful! thanks! I'm gonna try these techniques too ... I guess I need to console her and keep at it ... when she starts to "lose it" ... I give up.

    Report Reply
  • RadicalDreamer143RadicalDreamer143 member
    imagemitchelltheojua:

    imageJamieS2006:
    Hm.  Whenever Liam lies on his back, his head is to either side, he doesn't sleep with his face towards the ceiling.  Whenever I get him going for tummy time, he ends up getting comfy and falling asleep, LOL - again with his head to the side.  How does this help combat flat heads?  His head seems pretty round so far, at least.

     Love the pic of the 3 of you! Anywho ..their heads are so soft that constantly lying flat will cause there heads to appear a bit flat in the back, so they suggest making sure that their heads are in various positions so that other parts get some "action."



    Thanks, I love your pics as well!

    I guess I should try to get him to spend more time with his head getting pressure on the back then, he rarely wants to look up unless its at the fan in my bedroom, lol. 
    imageimage
    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Lilypie Maternity tickers
    Report Reply
  • Hopeful1!Hopeful1!

    You need to google torticollis and plagiocephaly.  At your LOs age there is still a very good chance that their heads will round out but pedi are so blase about this that many people don't get aggressive with repositioning until too late.

    If you suspect your LO has torticollis then I strongly recommend you ask to be referred to a physical therapist that treats infants.  They can also should you some repositioning techiniques.

    As far as tummy time, we were told 1 hour per day in small increments.  5 min at each diaper change, the more you do it the more they tolerate it.

    Here are some websites with good info.  Let me know if you have any questions, I have been there!

    https://infantheadbed.com/

    https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Plagiocephaly/

    https://www.cranialtech.com/

     

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Photobucket
    Report Reply
  • AmandaTooAmandaToo
    We have our checkup today, and I can't tell if we have this issue.  Anyhow, Romy also loves to be held on her tummy in football hold.  DH will walk around with her like that a lot.  Can you try that?  She also has pretty good neck control, so I try to carry her around upright and hold her head during the active/alert times she has.  She's OK with tummy time (and rolls over well!) if someone's face is in front of her, soothing her and engaging her.  She doesn't spend more than 5 minutes, much less 20!  She's only awake for an hour at a time before she gets really cranky.  Wow!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"