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January 2016 Moms
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Flat spot :(

mamadcbmamadcb member
in January 2016 Moms
Despite my best efforts, LO is starting to get a flat spot on the back of his head. The pediatrician isn't concerned, which makes me feel a little better, but I'd like to do what I can to keep it from getting worse. 

I've read to turn his head when he sleeps... but of course he can turn it however he wants, and he does. He spends lots of time NOT on his back, but sleeping as much as he does it's just inescapable that he will lie on it for many hours each day. 

Are any of your LOs getting a flat spot? Any strategies for improving it (or at least not making it worse)?
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Re: Flat spot :(

  • Becky012016Becky012016 member
    Is your little sleeping in his crib? If not, it might be a good idea to transition to there since the mattress has more give than any other popular sleeping place (i.e. Pack n play, rock n play, swing, bassinet). 
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  • teachmegs817teachmegs817 member
    My LO has developed a flat spot, and his pedi. Isn't concerned either, which makes us feel better. I still worry though.  It has since started to get a little better. He spends more time on his tummy and right now we are currently in the 3rd leap for Wonder Weeks. During this leap, babies will do a lot more exploring with their eyes and tend to move their heads side to side more. He is also spending time in his jumparoo and likes being held upright to look over our shoulders. I just find any and every opportunity to keep him from laying flat on his back during the day, so I don't have to stress too much about it at night.  Like you said, they're going to turn their heads during sleep, however they want/ what makes them comfortable. 
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  • mamadcbmamadcb member
    He's sleeping in his crib for naps and in his cosleeper at night, which I think has a similar surface. I am glad the pediatricians aren't worried but I'm doing the same thing during the day that you are @teachmegs817. He loves his play mat but isn't getting much time there anymore! 
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  • Cricket99Cricket99 member
    My LO has had a flat spot pretty much since birth. He had some really tight muscles on one side of his neck that caused him to favor one side. Since stretching them out his flat spot has greatly improved. Our pedi said the worst that can happen is he will have a little bit of a misshapen head. You can get a corrective helmet, but it's around $2,000. Also I have done some research and the actual effectiveness of the helmets is questionable. Besides, once his hair grows in no one will really be able to tell :)
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  • beccanforrest22beccanforrest22 member
    We noticed a flat spot on LO's head around 6 weeks old and he's almost 3 months now. At his 2mo checkup pedi just said try to turn his head while sleeping, talk to him from that side, and lots of tummy time. Just one problem: baby hates tummy time! Whether I lay him flat on the bed, or over the Boppy pillow, he only lasts 1-2 mins before getting really mad and crying. I've tried everything. Laying on a bright printed blanket, putting toys in front of him, getting down next to him so he can see me. Nothing works! He will lay on my chest to fall asleep every now and then. He has no problem lifting his head off my shoulder, and can support his body sitting up pretty well. I'm not too concerned about his muscle strength. But I worry if he doesn't lay on his tummy, he won't learn those developmental things like crawling. Flat spot got really bad for a couple weeks, but now looks better. What should I do? 
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  • Cricket99Cricket99 member
    @beccanforrest22 it sounds like your LO is the same as mine. The flat spot got really bad for a while and is slowly improving. My LO just started to tolerate tummy time for longer than a minute or two and he's 14 weeks. Now that he can get his head up really well and look around he tolerates it much longer (5-10 minutes). It sounds like you're doing everything you can to help it. Also, babies heads grow at a rapid rate starting around 3 months, so I'm hoping that will help round it back out a little bit. Like I said in my previous post, the worst that can happen is they have a slightly odd shaped head :)
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  • Rach8672Rach8672 member
    We too are battling a flat spot . She was constantly turning her head to the right. We stretch her often , do tummy time a few times a day for about 5 min each. We also bought her the breathable mimos pillow . It's completely breathable and decreases the pressure on her head. We have been using it in her pack n play and it prevents the rotstion. I've noticed an improvement with it so far. It was a little pricey but worth it. I'm still worried that it may not fully resolve:/ 14 weeks here 
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  • stephanienjerstephanienjer member
    We're battling a flat spot. Tummy time is tough for us, because my daughter decides that it's time to either fall asleep or vomit. (Seriously, every time.) I read that babywearing requires LO to use the same muscles as tummy time, so I've been wearing her as much as possible. The only problem now is that she has had a nasty stomach virus, and when I put her upright, she projectile vomits. So we're on day 5 of reclining only. :(
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  • Cricket99Cricket99 member
    @stephanienjer if you're stuck reclining my pedi told me to roll up a receiving blanket and prop LOs head so he couldn't turn it on the flat side when he is in the bouncer or swing. It seems to work pretty well. I hope the stomach virus passes quickly!
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  • deedeecmc79deedeecmc79 member
    My daughter had this problem despite all my efforts. I that the LO'S can also have a mild case of torticollis making it where they favor that side. In the end I took her to PT and I did get the helmet. Yes, it was a mild case but I figured. I wanted her to not have an problems as she got older. ( kids can be really crule)
    I hope you can avail having to do this but know that there is something that can be done, BTW her head is perfect now at 2. 
    I am constantly checking my son's head this time but I know in the end I may lose out and just go to the helmet. Good luck 
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  • JanMommy2under2JanMommy2under2 member
    With my older son are doctor kept saying not to worry about it, that it would fix itself and he ended up with a permanent flat spot on the back of his head that is very noticeable if his hair is short, so trust your instincts! II wish we would have done a helmet for him.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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