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Rock 'n Play & Flat Head

VCKVCK
in September 2013 Moms
Seems like the Rock 'n Play is pretty popular! I have heard a bit of rumbling about it possibly increasing the chance of babies having flat heads. Has anyone experienced this with their children? My nephew slept in one before he transitioned to his crib and he had a pretty severe flat head. He wore a helmet and is fine now. Let's read some opinions...
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Re: Rock 'n Play & Flat Head

  • mmdd20mmdd20 member

    This wasn't our experience. DS slept in it from 6 weeks to 6 months and we never had any issues with flat head or torticollis (another issue I have heard 'linked' to the Rock N Play). Our pediatrician actually recommended it for reflux issues. My only regret is that we didn't get it sooner.

    We plan to use it again with DD.


     

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  • PrettyInPearls23PrettyInPearls23 member

    ANYTHING that keeps baby on its back for an extended period of time can cause a flat head or flat spot. RnP, swing, carseat, bouncy, etc.

    DS did have a flat spot but we used the Noggin' Nest by Boppy to help. That, combined with the fact he quickly started sitting up on his own completely took care of the flat spot.

    I plan on using the RnP again for this LO.

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  • jeb2013jeb2013 member
    As long as the baby gets plenty of tummy time or time not in a crib, bassinet, pack n play, bouncer, rock and play... Etc... Anything they lay on their backs, they can get flat head. Just keep them out of it when they r awake.
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  • VCKVCK

    imagelaurelannie:
    This. I don't see how it would increase that risk. Flat heads are caused by babies being on their backs for too long. Simple solution is tummy time, as well as wearing or holding baby more. Common sense imo.

    Well, I think my SIL has common sense. She is not the type to let her baby lay around on his back all day...

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  • AshleyPTAshleyPT member
    I remember a really lengthy discussion on this board a while ago about these. If the baby is sleeping in things that force and cradle the baby into one single position then you need to balance the time with relieving pressure from that area. Like everyone said, you do that with tummy time and I also chose to wear her a lot.  

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  • lovemyboyysslovemyboyyss member
    imageVCK:

    imagelaurelannie:
    This. I don't see how it would increase that risk. Flat heads are caused by babies being on their backs for too long. Simple solution is tummy time, as well as wearing or holding baby more. Common sense imo.

    Well, I think my SIL has common sense. She is not the type to let her baby lay around on his back all day...

    Flat spots can also be caused by other problems. DS#1 had a flat spot so bad he also needed a DOC Band (aka helmet). He was born with it though. He got stuck at a bad angle in the birth canal, which led to an emergency c/s after 26 hours of labor. No amount of tummy time, baby wearing, etc. would have reversed it. He also needed physical therapy as a newborn because of the strain his neck was in during labor.

     Good news it that a few months in the DOC band and his head was good as new :)

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  • 2sweetlilgirls2sweetlilgirls member
    I don't see how it would be any different than any other thing they lay in. I'm getting one and I'm not worried about it at all.

     

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  • magdalina.hmagdalina.h member
    They can get flat heads if they are kept on their back frequently. This is another reason why tummy time is important. Lucas only night time slept in his
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  • Mrs. MoMrs. Mo member
    imagePrettyInPearls23:

    ANYTHING that keeps baby on its back for an extended period of time can cause a flat head or flat spot. RnP, swing, carseat, bouncy, etc.

    DS did have a flat spot but we used the Noggin' Nest by Boppy to help. That, combined with the fact he quickly started sitting up on his own completely took care of the flat spot.

    I plan on using the RnP again for this LO.

    This !

    They key is to not keep the baby in the same thing (swing,crib, RnP, etc) the whole darn day. Switching between items, holding the baby & tummy time will help prevent a flat head from forming.



    "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." -- Dale Carnegie
    "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." --Thomas A. Edison
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