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Babies: 9 - 12 Months
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Flat head concern, head molding

jenjigrrl25jenjigrrl25
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

I am posting this here rather than the 0-6 board because alot of the 0-6 are new moms who may not yet have experienced this.

I know it's common for babies heads to become flat from spending time on their backs, but at what point does it go from being normal to needing corrective attention? Since the start of the "Back to Sleep" campaign in teh 90's, flat head (positional plagiocephaly) has become more prominent

My DS sleeps 11 hours straight at night (on his back) and I try to limit back time when he is awake but I work and it is up to my daycare provider to do this and I have no guarantee that she is. He has developed quite a significant flat spot at 3.5 months old. Its very obvious and is getting worse, not better.

We have a checkup in a few weeks and I will talk to the pedi then, but I would like to hear from others who have dealt with flat spots, what the pedi recommended, if your baby's head reshaped itself as he, etc. I've heard head molding can be very expensive...... 

 

Thanks!!!!

 

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Re: Flat head concern, head molding

  • cecigcecig

    I haven't had any personal experience but my co-worker has. Her twin boys had to wear helmets for 8 months to get the flatness corrected. I think if anything, keep trying to rotate your DS from side to side when he sleeps, since the flatness can be corrected faster the younger the baby is. Try posting this on the multiples board since I hear this is a lot more common for them.

    Good luck!

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  • Bride_BestBride_Best

    We were very concerned with Chase's head since birth.  My Mom told me that his head shape was lopsided (not what a new Mommy wanted to hear).  At our 3 month pedi appointment, we raised the question again and she agreed that we should see a specialist.  Long story short, we started helmet therapy at about 4 months and he was done wearing it around 6 months since his head was in the normal range.  It wasn't a bit deal for Chase to wear the helmet at all.  He didn't mind wearing it for 23 hours a day even during the hotest days of summer in St. Louis!  I actually kind of missed it once we didn't have to wear it anymore!  If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at lindseywulfing@gmail.com

    Here's a picture during his helmet time...

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  • Bride_BestBride_Best
    P.S.  We did a lot of tummy time (he hated it), used the jumper, bumbo and made sure not to leave him in the swing, car seat or on his back unless he was sleeping.  The sling helped out during this time as well.
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  • t-lou rosalest-lou rosales member

    Around the same age is when my DS started getting really bad flathead. It was so flat(in my eyes) pedi said not to worry about it just make sure to give him lots of tummy time during the day. Which of course he hated!!! So whenever he was up I used the jumper, bumbo seat, everything and anything for him to stay off his head. Around when he was 5 months he started sleeping on his tummy and side. I was so happy. I never seriously looked into the helment but I know that insurance doesn't cover it and it's about $3000. But I guess every baby is different DS finally started rounding out. Thank god!! I was sooooo worried. It's still alittle on the flat side but nothing alittle hair can't cure and I have full confidence that it will only get better. He never sleeps on his back and he crawls all day. The only time he is on his back is when he is in the stroller or carseat.

    GL!

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  • bksp1bksp1
    DD had a flat spot on the back of her head on the right side.  She had it from birth.  What we did was make sure that we turned her head so she wasn't lying on the flat spot.  I would put her to sleep on her side most of the time and I used to have to roll up a blanket or towel and put it behind her to keep her propped up.  Make sure to do lots and lots of tummy time.  I had DD evaluated by a cranio plastic surgeon who wanted to put a helmet on her.  I was not impressed with him at all so I decided to seek alternative options.  DD is currently being treated by a chiropracter and we have had wonderful results!!
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