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Flat spot

StormytuckerStormytucker member
in Babies: 3 - 6 Months
Honestly I have been lurking on this board havnt introduced myself yet, I used to be very active on the august boards but have slacked off posting although I have kept up with people and found most posts to be very helpful! I'm a first time mom and my concern my sons flat spot that is more on the right side he for sure favors that side of his head when sleeping. His pediatrician didn't seem as concerned since it didn't look too bad to him, he said with him being 4 months and it doesn't seem too severe now that it should round out ok just to watch to make sure it doesn't get worse if so I am supposed to call. My question is what have others done to try to get their little ones to turn their heads to the other side more? My pediatrician gave me some stretching exercises to do with DS but he still naturally turns to the right eventually. Sorry for the long post I. Hope someone has some advice for me
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Re: Flat spot

  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    If you're concerned, set up an evaluation with a cranio facial specialist.  Pediatricians are great with regular illness and milestone but flat spots require very specific measurements and analysis.  The fact that it's more on one side of his head is more concerning than if it was straight back but it can still turn out to not be very serious.  The best time to get a helmet if it needs correction is close to 5 months so I wouldn't wait.  
    Formerly known as elmoali :)

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  • StormytuckerStormytucker member
    Thank you for the advice, that's pretty much what my instinct is saying also
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  • carrotcake06carrotcake06 member
    Does he have torticollis? Can he turn both ways but just prefers one of them?

    Of my boys has/had a preference for one side and got a flat spot as a result. He is able to turn both ways so a dx of torticollis wasn't made. I asked my pedi for a referral to a specialist even though she wasn't overly concerned.

    At the specialist consult, he basically said that we could get a helmet but that insurance would most likely not cover it and that if it was his kid, he wouldn't do it. My LO's face is symmetrical and the corresponding bald spot was moving towards the back of his head, plus as his neck control got better, he was spending less time w his head against something.

    Even though I was pretty sure I wasn't going to go the helmet route since it'd cost a few grand oop, I looked into insurance and there are specific measurement thresholds that have to be met. I didn't follow through w getting him measured bc the flat spot isn't worsening anymore.

    IMO, I needed to go down that road for peace of mind even though we ended up not pursuing a helmet.
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  • slh6363slh6363 member
    My LO was said to have torticolus at 2 months. The pedi noticed the flat spot on one side and referred us to a physical therapist. The flat spot is a result of LO preference to turn to the left side. The PT said it was great that we noticed this early, bc the earlier it is the easier to fix as with most things. LO went to PT once a week, now every other. She showed us stretches to do at home and it is really helping. Also told us little things to do like position his swing or whatever he is in so that he has to look to the right (or whatever side is the issue) to see the action in the room, tv, lights, or whatever LO likes to look at. We also use the activity mat a ton! Place him underneath off to the side a bit so he has to look to the side to see the lights and everything. Also just being aware of it has helped a lot...like pay attention to how you are holding him so that his head is turned the correct way that you want.
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  • trudibelltrudibell member
    edited December 2013
    Here's what we've been doing, our pediatrician told us that it would "sort itself out" when he was 4 months, but it seemed to be getting worse, so we went to a cranio-facial expert.  They did a 3D scan and he was right on the edge of having moderate brachycephaly, so they recommended we wait a month and come back and have him scanned again.

    Make sure you are switching sides on everything - if you're bottle feeding, make sure you switch which side you feed him on every time, make sure every time you change his diaper you put him a facing the opposite way from the time before.  Where is he sleeping?  We had LO in a pack 'n play, and the specialist said that the mattress of a crib was much better for his head, and also, to switch which way he's facing every night.  The medical term for this is "repositioning" but if you're aggressive with it, it can make a difference.  

    Also, limit back time, this was hard because LO hated tummy time with a passion, but getting an exersaucer (one that is stationary) really helps, also there is a thing called a "go pod" which is kind of like a tailgating seat for babies that keeps him off his head.  Do you have a carrier?  We stopped using our stroller entirely and when we're out and about I always have him in a Moby wrap to keep him off his head.  

    In the event your that your LO's head doesn't sort itself out, take heart, it's estimated that over 10% of babies have flat-head issues and need corrective orthotics (helmets).  We're hoping we won't have to have him in a helmet, but we know that it will effect us more than it does him, and guarantee that he won't have problems later in life like being unable to wear glasses or having major orthodontic issues, and also of course, a weird looking head.  

    If you are worried I would seek out a specialist sooner than later, in our area it took us three weeks to be able to see one and orthotics usually take at least two weeks to make.  We felt a lot better about our situation after seeing the specialist, and ours did not charge us for the consultation and scan or the follow-up next month, they'll only charge us if we go forward with a helmet later on.
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  • ashleighltashleighlt member
    My little one just received her "helmet" for her flat spot. It's supper light, and she does by seem to notice it. We chose to get it for her now while she is young, instead of waiting, due to the short amount of time required to wear it. Good luck.
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  • StormytuckerStormytucker member
    Thank you all so much for your replies! Yes our doc gave me some stretches to do and I'm much more careful about repositioning his head to the other side now I even go into his room a few times a night since he is sttn now and move his head to the other side which he will keep there for a while now since he sleeps much more soundly now, I supposed to watch it closely and as long as it doesn't get worse we r just supposed to keep stretching and moving him around! Mine also hates tummy time which is part of the problem but I just try to keep him as distracted as possible to make it last longer periods! Fingers crossed it will get better my ins also does not cover the helmet but if it comes to that we will do what is nec. For LO!
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  • Spunkykitty78Spunkykitty78 member
    At our 2 month appointment, our pediatrician mentioned that Ds' head was slightly lopsided. He definitely favored looking toward the right. She advised us to lay on his left side when we interact with him and to alternate his head at the foot end of the crib to sleep. This has seemed to help. We just had our 4 month appointment and she didn't mention it. Hope this is helpful and that your LO improves.
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