Community› The Bump Message Boards› Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Babies: 0 - 3 Months
New Discussion

Flat head

blowback01blowback01 member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months
Hello everyone. I am a new mother of a 2 week old baby. My baby sleeps a lot and I am afraid of her getting a flat head because she sleeps so much. I am very conscious of switching her head every time I lay her down after eating. Should I be concerned of her getting a flat head? I also try to do tummy time as much as possible but she is only awake for a little bit of time each day. Should I be concerned? I am trying to feel better about this. I find myself being paranoid about everything and need confirmation from other mothers letting me know that their baby slept all the time and turned out ok :) Thank you so much!
Report Reply to Post

Re: Flat head

  • tbmadeamistaketbmadeamistake member
    Babies sleep a lot initially, so don't worry about too much sleep causing a flat head. As long as she's able to move her head from side to side, she'll be fine. If you're nursing, she'll get both sides worked as you switch breasts. If you're bottle feeding, try to change sides each time you feed. That way, you'll still be working all muscles.

    Married DH 7/30/11

    CSC arrived 5/7/12 

    CHC arrived 6/2/14

    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • flclflcl member
    Congratulations and try to enjoy all the sleep your baby is getting!  Like PP said, try to switch sides while bottle feeding if you're not BFing.  Also, try to get in about 20 mins of tummy time (that's what the pedi recommended for LO at that age) in everyday.  Enjoy the extra time you're getting while LO is sleeping!
    Report Reply
  • jenn43jenn43 member
    You're doing great! The tummy time will help LO develop those neck muscles. Flat spots generally develop if a baby is in the same position all the time, so strong neck muscles will help prevent that.
    Report Reply
  • chillypenguinchillypenguin member
    I noticed DD1 was getting a flat spot and asked her pedi at her one month check up. She said we would check it at 2 months. She noticed her neck muscles were tight on one side (torticollis) which caused her to always have her head tilted/turned to one side. I would try to gently move it to the other side but she would move it right back. She started physical therapy at 2 months old and finished at 13 months. Her head looks great now at 21 months old.

    I was very worried about this with DD2. She will be 8 weeks old tomorrow and I haven't noticed any problems and she sleeps a lot. I wouldn't worry about it unless you start noticing a flat spot or you notice a strong preference to look to one side, then I would bring it up to the pedi.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Avion22Avion22 member
    Do tummy time. Our baby hates laying on I his tummy on the floor and will only tolerate a few minutes at a time. We also do a lot of time sitting on our laps (supported of course), and on our chests. He loves laying tummy to tummy on daddy's chest :-)
    imageDSC_9275  image



    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • roo1ooroo1oo member
    Mine developed a flat spot from sleeping in a rock n play. It was fairly noticeable at 2 months, but Dr said not to worry because it was symmetrical and the flat spots will go away as they grow. He's 8 months old now and it's still slightly flat, but Dr says it will go away by the time hes a couple years old. Try not to freak out about this. It's so inconsequential and even if your babe gets one, it does not reflect on you as a mother. 
    image    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • FirstatFortyFirstatForty member
    They also sell mattress' to prevent flat head syndrome if you are really concerned.
    BabyFruit Ticker
    Report Reply
  • brooksfam4brooksfam4 member
    My LO is 6 weeks old and he always favors his right side. He can move his head all around, but just prefers the right side. I didn't think anything about it until I went to the pediatrician for his 1 month check up. He noticed he was favoring his right side and said his head was a little flat because of it. He said to switch positions a lot and just to watch it. He recommended rolling up a blanket or small towel and prop him up some. We have been working on it and it's getting better. Our ped wasn't too worried about it.. just said to work on it and should be fine. As long as you are moving your baby and switching positions, you should be fine!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"