let's talk flat heads

JustcallmeGG2 · December 2012

i don't want my baby to have to wear a helmet, but his head is definitely more like the pic on the left.

does that start to round out once they are sitting up more?

aylafsu88 · December 2012

Manda+Chase:
My pedi said the same thing about it rounding out as they start to sit up more and crawl. My son has a small flat spot, too, but she wasn't worried about it.
I just try to keep him from laying down too much now, other than naps and sleeping. Lots of tummy time and sitting up with the Boppy or me just carrying him. I also make an effort not to leave him in the carseat longer than he needs to be.
I know that won't be as easy to do with two little ones. Good luck!

All of this. My LO had a small spot at her 2 month apt and it was about the same at her 4 month apt. The pedi said to do more tummy tip and sitting up time in her bumbo. She said most LOs will not need a helmet because it will naturally round out.

Also, I did ask her about the noggin nest. She said if we wanted to buy one we could but she did not think it would make a huge difference helping her head round out.

UMichGirl · December 2012

DS looked like that too and was diagnosed with brachycephaly. He sleeps flat on the back of his head though no matter what we do. At his 4 month appt the pedi referred us to an orthotist and told us sooner rather than later was best to go because the longer you wait the longer it takes to make the correction. Their heads grow fastest younger. He's only been in it since thanksgiving and we can already tell a difference. GL

nicolepatricia87 · December 2012

DS looks more like the picture on the right. Pedi recommended a lot of tummy time and said it should get better on its own. I think it's a little better, but it's definitely still there. We'll see what she says at our 6 mo appt.

iheartnjdevils · December 2012

DS is in the middle. But is only lays on the back of his head when he's on his play mat. We use the boppy noggin nest in his swing and he sleeps on his back with his head turned. What worries me though is his right cheek is more fuller than the left. Have any of you noticed this with your LO?

JustcallmeGG2 · December 2012

thanks so much ladies. to be honest, I completely forgot to check the back of his head the last few months because of all the chaos. we have the 6 mo. pediatrician appointment next week, I am kind of scared.

SBBBE · December 2012

My LOs both have helmets right now for plagiocephaly. It was more than just a flat spot. I was more concerned that is was completely messing up the symmetry of their faces. I noticed it first with my DD. Looking at the back of her head her ears were in two completely different spots. One of her eyes was bigger than the other and her forehead and cheek stuck out farther on one side than the other. (This wasn't super noticeable to other people until I pointed it out.) The stretches and other things the pedi told us to do at her 2 month appointment helped to make a big improvement but it still wasn't great. At 4 months we started to noticed the same thing with DS. Our pedi did recommend the helmet route and insurance covered most of it. We were told that twins, preemies and baby that have NICU stays are at greater risk for needing helmets so talk about a triple whammy for us. When just got the helmets and I have noticed a big difference only after a week and a half.

From what I understand helmets work for kids up to 18 months so even if this is what you need to do there is still plenty of time. The longer you wait the longer they need the helmet because they don't grow as fast the older they get. If your pedi doesn't recommend the helmet, I would ask if they would recommend it if the head shape got worse or didn't approve. Some doctors never recommend them so I would probably want a second opinion by someone that does recommend them when needed if that is the case. Also, ask your pedi for recommendations that will help other than tummy time. We bought the boppy nest pillows which helped.

GL and it doesn't sound like it is too concerning.

almrkp11 · December 2012

Oh gosh, I have been so worried about this. I always thought her head was a little flat but I kept telling myself that her hair made it worse. My mil told me one day it was, and I lost it. My pedi doesn't seem to be worried though. Karsyn's looks sort of in the middle of the two pictures.

CopsGirl11103 · December 2012

My DS is definitely like the one of the Left. Stupid Rock N Play.

michaela080 · December 2012

Yep, Rob has a flat head. It is getting a bit better, but still pretty flat. My pedi said it is what it is and just to do as much tummy time as possible, which we do, plus jumparoo time, etc. He has the noggin nest too. My nephew is 11 and has a flat head. You can tell, but it's not that noticeable or bad looking.

julymommy12 · December 2012

To the original post/picture, do you know if that babies head rounded out on their own? I'm assuming that's a before and after pic. I would say my guy is kind of in the middle. My dr doesn't seem concerned but I do worry it won't be as round as the pic on the right.

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