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Original poster

Severe flat head, is 10 months too late?

17 replies

crispyrainbows · 26/11/2020 12:49

My little girl has a very flat head, she was born like it because of how she was sitting in the womb. I've always been told to just keep her off her back as much as possible and that it would right itself once she sat up etc.

She's now 9 months and as flat as a pancake. Unfortunately she's been late to sit which hasn't helped. I've always been aware of helmets but wasn't convinced enough, considering that she would likely grow out of it anyway.

I've just got back from a general GP review and he agreed that her head is severe and that it's up to me whether I look into helmets, but he warned that it's probably too late now.

I'm so upset with myself and feel like I've neglected her. I did stick to the advice and I don't know why it didn't help. But why did I leave it this late before reconsidering the helmet Sad
Does anyone have experience? Especially those who either didn't treat with a helmet or those who did but left it late.

OP posts:
Original poster
crispyrainbows · 26/11/2020 12:50

Just to add, she is 9 months old now but she'd be 10 months when the helmet was fitted

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 26/11/2020 12:50

I used a baby pillow designed to help prevent flattening of the head. Was nothing like that ever suggested?

Original poster
crispyrainbows · 26/11/2020 12:53

@dementedpixie

I used a baby pillow designed to help prevent flattening of the head. Was nothing like that ever suggested?
She did have one, but I only used it in the pram and in her rocker etc. I was too scared to use it at night as I worried about safety. I feel like such an idiot now.
OP posts:

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AnyFucker · 26/11/2020 13:03

Don't beat yourself up about this. The reason that helmets are not funded on the nhs is because there is no evidence that they make any difference at all

Your baby's head shape will continue to improve until she is at least 3 years old when the last skull sutures fuse. Now she is sitting, that process will speed up. As she spends less and less time sleeping, it will help.

As the flattening is severe, it might be worth asking your gp would he/she agree to a skull xray to ensure the sutures are not prematurely fused which will negatively affect the outcome. If that is ok, the prognosis is still good that all will be well.

Also, a referral to a paediatric physiotherapist is a good idea to check if her neck muscles are tight and to ensure you are utilising the positioning advice maximally.

It's really not too late Flowers

InDubiousBattle · 26/11/2020 13:15

My ds was born with a disproportionately big head which then grew quickly and became very, very flat at the back. He was seen by a consultant and had and ultrasound through his soft spot which confirmed he was fine, he just had a big, flat head. We kept him off his back as much as possible but he slept (well)on his back and the consultant recommend no pillows etc as he was still under 6 months when he was seen. He' s nearly 7 now and his head is still flat. It's better than it was and did improve a little as he grew (I also think it's still getting better but I could be imagining it). His hair covers it well and it is not that obvious tbh. I worried myself sick about it when he was little but rarely think about it now.

VenusClapTrap · 26/11/2020 13:19

A full head of hair makes a huge difference. Dd had a very flat head and I bought a special pillow and worried about it terribly, but once she got to proper hair stage it changed everything. She looks completely normal now and I haven’t given it a moment’s thought in years.

Imtootired · 26/11/2020 13:21

I’m sorry I don’t have experience with extreme flattening but it sounds like you’re being really hard on yourself. No point in blaming yourself. The first months are difficult without extra things to worry about and you were following advice you were given. X

Moonshine160 · 26/11/2020 13:47

OP, don’t beat yourself up about this at all! We had a very similar situation with our DS. He was a 25th centile baby but had a 91st centile head which ended up very flat on one side to the point where it looked like his head was a diamond shape. We were terrified and referred to a paediatric consultant and she told us that helmets are not funded on the NHS because 1. There’s no evidence to show they help that much and 2. They are actually extremely uncomfortable for baby.
DS is still under the care of the consultant and his head is still quite flat but it’s certainly improved and we’re told it will carry on improving over time. He has a full head of curly hair so unless he’s in the bath and his hairs wet you can’t even tell! Strangely he also had a delay with sitting up, he didn’t sit independently until he was 11 months old but after that he started to move around quickly and was walking at 16 months.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/11/2020 13:55

This gives me flashbacks! I was so worried when DS was that age, because his head was flat on one side. He would NOT rest it on the other side, from birth onwards.

My GP told me the benefits of the helmets are unproven, the head shape would improve now that he was mobile, and that it would probably not be noticeable when his hair was fully grown in. She also asked me how many adults I have thought "gosh, what a flat head" about (none, for the record).

She was quite right, the shape evened out, his hair grew, he looks perfectly normal, and I haven't thought about it for years. I'm sure the same is true in your case.

billy1966 · 26/11/2020 14:52

@VenusClapTrap

A full head of hair makes a huge difference. Dd had a very flat head and I bought a special pillow and worried about it terribly, but once she got to proper hair stage it changed everything. She looks completely normal now and I haven’t given it a moment’s thought in years.
Exact same here. I was very stressed by it and my GP said that she would grow out of it and hair would make a huge difference.

I haven't thought about it in years too.
But at the time I was very concerned.

Funny how you forget things.

Clearasmuddypuddles · 26/11/2020 14:55

Have you ever noticed an adult with a flat head? Probably not. Because once they have hair you can’t tell anyway.

yikesanotherbooboo · 26/11/2020 15:15

AnyFucker has it right. Please try not to worry.

BettyOBarley · 26/11/2020 15:37

My DD had quite a flat head from birth like your DD, they said it was because she had been transverse for a lot of my pregnancy. I mentioned it at her 6 week check and was told it would improve.
I didn't think about it then for a few months and then was mortified and a bit obsessed with it when I realised it really was quite flat. I didn't see the GP as I read it was probably too late by then, but we did get the pillows etc.
Anyway she's 7yrs old now and I have to say being a girl does help as they tend to have longer hair and I think only I can tell. I've just actually looked now for the first time in a long time and Its not as bad as it was. No one has ever mentioned it.

Please don't beat yourself up, it's not your fault.and you didn't neglect her Flowers

Original poster
crispyrainbows · 26/11/2020 18:56

You are all so lovely. Thank you for making me feel better. Luckily both me and DH have very thick heads of hair, so fingers crossed she will too!

OP posts:
DonaldTrumpsChopper · 26/11/2020 18:59

DS had a flat head from birth, and we had a consultant appointment at 4 months to discuss. Consultant was against helmets and said they were not proven to help.

By three it was far less noticeable, I just kept his hair long. No one ever mentioned it at primary, and now he's 17 year old you can't tell at all.

Maddy456 · 30/11/2020 21:23

Hello. Get yourself a free consultation with technology in motion, there is still time! And join the facebook group Plagiocephaly support/advice UK as there is lots of advice on there x

Palavah · 30/11/2020 21:26

The back of my head is quite flat. Never thought about it until I read about it on here. I had an ex boyfriend who had a flat head too. I graduate from Cambridge and he has a PhD. Admittedly we both have a full head of hair.

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