(long)Baby Flat Head Spot, help!

TechieGirl1 · December 2012

First of all, I feel like a terrible mom because I feel like I should have been able to fix this. At our last pediatrician appointment, the doctor told us that our lo had moderate flat head, and should be seen by the orthedic (sp?) specialist for a probable helmet. I was so upset and told my dh n tears that I'm a terrible mom! I should have be able to prevent this from happening. The main reason why he has this I think is that at about 2 months he started having problems doing tummy time because of him having viral pneumonia, and would have coughing issues while doing it. Well apparently I should have had him doing it anyways because he got out of the habit, and since then hates doing any form of tummy time at all. Will last a max of 5 mins, and then freak out.

This doctors appointment was on Dec. 18th, prior to that I had gotten the happy noggin nest and had him use it constantly except day care and sleeping at night. Since after the doctors appointment I got 2 baby moon head rests, one for day care and one for home. He uses a pillow (whether its the boppy, or baby moon) all the time except sleep at night (for safety reasons of coarse), and this week dh and I had off. So I have let lo nap on top of me so I can position him to get the pressure off of the spot on his head, and while I think I have seen a difference, dh says he hasn't (but being a guy he tends not to notice a lot of things) so we are going to go back to the pediatrician when we return to make sure that he still thinks it may be nessary .

Of course I want what is best for our lo, I feel like a horrible mom because I feel like I should have been able to fix this.=( any support, stories, feedback, would be helpful. Thanks if you made it this far.

CLeigh03 · December 2012

You are not a horrible mom, at all and this is not your fault! Think of all the time babies are on their backs...and so many mine included hate tummy time. I'm surprised more babies don't have this issue.

I am curious though if it was mild why your pedi recommended the helmet? DS has it mildly as well and we have just been told to focus on keeping him on his tummy or sitting upright when he is awake. It has definitely improved since his 2 month appointment.

Don't be so hard on yourself! You obviously care very much.

twoitalians · December 2012

You're not a horrible mom. We had a flat spot issue with DS starting at his 1 month appointment. The pedi said he had a side preference and that we needed to do tummy time. We thought nothing of it and DS hated tummy time so we rarely did it. Two month appointment rolls around pedi says we really need to do tummy time because of that flat spot. We told her DS hates tummy time. She rolled her eyes at us and said we have to. I knew it wasn't gonna happen so I asked if there was anything else we could do and she suggested rolling up a blanket and sticking it under the sheet in his crib so that it makes him lay with his head on the other side. I also bought the noggin nest. The noggin best helped the flat spot near the back of his head within a few weeks and after two months of laying him in the crib with that blanket, his flat spot appears to be almost gone. The pedi didn't say anything about it at his 4 month appointment either.

Just know that this sort of thing takes time and it doesn't get corrected overnight. Before you get the helmet see if your doctor is ok with postponing it a few months given that the flatness is not severe while you try some if your own things. Maybe your lo will start liking tummy time soon. Or you can always sit them up without the head leaning against anything. At this stage they can move their heads around more so make sure your LO is turning his head all around. Keep in mind with Exersaucers and jumperoos they are not laying on their heads either. Good luck!

Megispreg · December 2012

This post breaks my heart, because I know how you feel. DD has some mild flatness. At first I felt really awful and guilty about it. But we're told to put them on their backs to sleep, and newborns sleep a lot! At least mine did, and she always turned to the same position. What else can you do, other than try to keep them off it when you can?

We also have the noggin pillow, and we're seeing some improvement since she started holding her head up. I'm hoping we don't have to helmet, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. Hang in there, Mama! You are not alone in this, and you are doing a great job.

TechieGirl1 · December 2012

Thanks everyone. It does make me feel better to see other people having problems with this too! I do make sure while he's awake he is sitting / standing up with me. I have tried the rolled up blanket, sadly that's what allowed him to reach 5 mins. I have tried a multitude of different times in the day, waiting an hour after feeding (not to have him spit up) , little to s within reach, nothing that I have tried has helped. Also I do have a jumperoo, and he does seem to like it. Thanks for the help! Any more suggestions I would still be happy to hear! ::hugs::

NewMommyKelsey · December 2012

Get the boppy noggin pillow on amazon, worked for us!

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(long)Baby Flat Head Spot, help!

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