Flat Head question

nicolewhelan · August 2014

LO had his 1 month check up today, everything is great but she did comment on how he has a touch of flat head going on because he always sleeps/lays looking to the left. Anyone have any tricks to getting LO to look the other way? She recommended more tummy time and positioning him to look the other way and possibly propping his head in the other direction, but didn't know if anyone else had success with other ways or when he might do it on his own. Thanks!

steprozz · August 2014

the Tortle hat sucks- at least for B. he HATES that thing. we have had huge success with the Boppy noggin nest. B's head is really rounding back out and we don't have to do the torticollis stretches anymore because it keeps his head more midline.

nicolewhelan · August 2014

Thanks so much for the ideas! I am going to try these next few days before I go back to work sitting on the ground with him more and getting him to look to the right more and really getting a lot of tummy time in since he doesn't mind it. I'll look into those 2 products too, thanks!

Rei2metse · August 2014

My LO also uses the Noggin nest by Boppy. We've used it from day 2, and no noggin issues here. Per Amazon reviewers, it also helps to correct mild flat spots. He sleeps comfortably on it.

curlylocks3 · August 2014

I would request the PT consult now vs waiting. You don't know how long it will take to get in for the appointment and the sooner you begin addressing it the shorter the duration of therapy will be. A hat or repositioning device will not correct the underlying issue if it is due to torticollis.

shellbell813 · August 2014

According to my pedi. They did a study recently that showed for severe flat heads that required helmets, those with and without helmets both were self correcting. I took that as to mean that babies tend to get this more now with the whole "making sure the babies lay on their backs to sleep" but that it corrects itself as babies get older and I shouldn't worry too much about it.

curlylocks3 · August 2014

@shellbell813‌ our pedi is also not a big fan of helmets. Did yours give you a copy of the study? I'd be curious to read it- if it's a flat spot on te back of the head or something I definitely understand how that'd be self correcting but not if there's an underlying issue that's going to cause the baby to consistently turn a certain way or prevent them from turning to the opposite side.

curlylocks3 · August 2014

@nutmegs8 I can't decide how I feel about that either. Definitely freaky. Also wondering if age in general has something to do with it because I was told helmets can't even be discussed until 6 months when the baby has enough neck control to handle them. That second picture of the baby clearly shows the kid is pretty independently lifting his head so I'm sure he's not got it resting against something often, which would of course help.

Julie&Micah · August 2014

DD had torticolis and a flat spot resulting from it. She never needed a helmet, but we did have several PT visits, but it wasn't until she was a few months older. She had a head tilt, only wanted to turn her head one way, only tried to roll one way (though she was a late roller - late on all motor milestones as it was) We did quite a few home stretches to help her turn the other way. They also said to be thinking about how you feed. Do you bottle feed at all? If you always cradle them in your arms the same way every time, that could contribute to the problem. Try switching arms you hold LO with. Also when LO is on the floor, in the bouncy, whatever, make the side they prefer super boring (we hung a solid color boring blanket) and put all the toys and fun stuff on the other side.

enpowers · August 2014

I have one of those little Einstein dream soother that attaches to the crib. We switched it to the other side so my LO looks the other way while falling asleep. That's what has worked for me.

kd&cd · August 2014

Best advise we were given was to sleep LO the opposite way each night (head at diff end of crib) because the baby will always look "out". It worked for us and LOs head isn't lopsided anymore

TakeMeAway55 · August 2014

We are having the same issue. What is working for my LO: the Noggin Nest pillow, more tummy time, and napping on her side. What didn't work: flipping her in the crib (still looks the other way) and the Tortle (neither her nor I were thrilled with it). With my next baby, I will be using the Noggin Nest pillow from day 1!

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