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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried about DS's flat head?

41 replies

Fieldings15 · 28/11/2019 12:39

DS who is now 9 months old was born unexpectedly at 34 weeks... After a couple of months I noticed he had a slightly flat head on one side. Talked to GP, HV etc and they said he would grow out of it. Now fast forward to 9 months old and it is still looking very wonky (despite all my efforts over the past 6 months repositioning etc). He's also slept on his side, not on the flat bit, for about the past 4 months so I'm surprised it hasn't improved. Now wondering (obsessing) about whether we should have gone for one of those helmet things, but I think it's probably too late now. It's also expensive and the nearest clinic is 2 hours drive away - not ideal since I believe they have to frequently be readjusted. Just wondering if anyone else has been through this... Did it improve or if not, did it cause any problems later on? Fortunately it doesn't affect his face or ear alignment, it is just a rather strange shape! I've tried to attach a pic...

OP posts:

Confusedbeetle · 28/11/2019 12:44

You have been advised correctly. It will right itself in time. This phenomenon only began with the Back to Sleep Campaign. The helmets are a ridicuous money making load of. And not nice for the children either. Stop worrying. And keep off the internet. Your GP and HV have told you. Why are you looking at helmet clinics?

Original poster

Fieldings15 · 28/11/2019 12:59

You're probably right, I should stop googling! But this is my first baby so it can be tough sometimes.

OP posts:

Freddiefox · 28/11/2019 13:02

Just to say my ds’s didn’t right it’s self, it did get better a bit and luckily his hair is quite coarse so covers it well but he still has a flat head at the back

Heather021983 · 28/11/2019 13:11

Until they are walking I wouldn't worry about it

FizzyGreenWater · 28/11/2019 13:11

My friend's little boy had a very flat head and no, that didn't right itself either!

Yes I would go and get some advice. No it absolutely doesn't always sort itself - it seems common sense to say that past a certain point it's less likely that it will completely correct. That's not to say that helmets or whatever are the answer of course.

It can't hurt to ask even if it's just so that you get a second opinion and feel more informed.

CaptainCabinets · 28/11/2019 13:16

My DP has a flat head at the back and he gets upset and incredibly self conscious about it to the point where he wants to wear hats all the time. I would probably seek a second opinion.

Celebelly · 28/11/2019 13:18

I think if you're still worried, then get in contact with your GP again. It sounds like you last spoke to them about it about when your DS was about 8 weeks old, so I think enough time has passed just to check their advice still stands. DD had a bit of a flat head at 8 weeks but it's totally resolved at 9 months. There's nothing to lose by asking for them to take another look.

bathsh3ba · 28/11/2019 13:20

My daughter was born with craniosynostosis which is a skull condition that can mimic plagiocephaly but persists so it may be worth asking if a paediatrician can take a look. Has it got worse over time or stayed the same? Feel free to PM me

NaviSprite · 28/11/2019 13:20

My DD’s head was very much like that after a 4 month NICU stay and being a stubborn little wotsit who would only lie with her head on the right! Hers is almost rounded out properly now (she’s 2yo) I think there’s still a slight angle to the right back part of her skull, but it’s barely noticeable unless you’re deliberately looking for it so try not to worry - but I would recommend having an appointment for a second opinion for peace of mind.

riddlerdiddler · 28/11/2019 13:34

My DD also had a flat head on one side that looked of similar severity to your LO. We were a bit concerned so i mentioned it to the health visitor. I guess DD was around 6 or 7 months at that point. HV referred us to the hospital and we were seen a few weeks later. The paediatrician was really helpful and reassuring. She gave DD a thorough check and explained the type of thing she was looking for - uneven ears / eyes or protruding eye being the main ones if i recall correctly. DD didn't have either of those issues so i was told that her head shape was still changing and that i should keep an eye on it and go back to HV for a re-referral at a later date if i felt it wasn't improving. DD is now 2.5 (with a lot more hair!) and it isnt noticeable at all. Hopefully you'll get similar reassurance for your LO if you request a referral to a paediatrician. I just wanted to give you my experience of the next step in the process.

flippinehh · 28/11/2019 13:34

I would get it looked at by the GP.

GameSetMatch · 28/11/2019 13:37

My nephew had such a flat head, it was really noticeable we nick named him ‘cliff’ it was really bad, he’s two now and has just a normal shaped head. Try not to worry.

Dandelion1993 · 28/11/2019 13:42

My nephew was also 6 weeks early and just turned 1.his head is a similar shape and no one seems concerned.

blackcat86 · 28/11/2019 13:48

My daughter has plagiocephaly on one side of her head (flat head syndrome) and is under the pediatrician. We were offered a referral for a helmet but the pediatrician said that really nature is the best cure because once babies get up and crawl/walk it will start to improve. It is virtually unnoticeable at 15 months so I'm glad we didnt pursue the helmet. They also have a high rate of skin infections because they have to be worn for so long. Speak to your GP if you have concerns. The pediatrician has been really helpful and the HV has measured DDs head 6 weekly to ensure she's growing properly.

MarshmallowMuggle · 28/11/2019 13:48

It can’t be wrong to get a second opinion if it’s worrying you. They do not all sort themselves out; some stay quite wonky. It’s a question of whether you think it will bother them.

My friend got a helmet in the end, after much agonising, and it did make a big difference. But every baby and every head is different, so take advice. Good luck!

RolytheRhino · 28/11/2019 13:52

I'd go back to the GP if I were you. As PP said, sometimes it's caused by other things.

FlurkenSchnit · 28/11/2019 14:34

DS2 had severe brachycephaly, it was starting to distort his face but my GP and HV just denied anything was wrong and that tummy time would sort it out.
His head was flat from the neck up so we got him a helmet in the end and after 4/5 months he had a perfectly shaped head which is still lovely and round 8 years later.

emmaw1405 · 28/11/2019 14:43

One of my twins not only had a flat head but her ears were completely out of line. We went down the hat route, glad I did as there was no way it was correcting itself!

Original poster

Fieldings15 · 28/11/2019 14:48

Thanks everyone for your comments I think we will go back and see the GP!

OP posts:

moreismore · 28/11/2019 14:51

I think it’s unusual to have that degree of flattening with no impact on the front of the head and another opinion would be sensible.

changedtempforprivacy · 28/11/2019 15:26

My DD also had a flat head, spotted by a relative of mine (a doctor). Our GP refered her to a child physiotherapist when she was around 9 months and she had to do a series of physio for a few months as that side fo her body was very tight, related to the flat head. No ongoing issues, her head evened out by the time she was 18 months. It was all done on the NHS. Physio did recommend lots of tummy time, and putting them to play like this

www.mamasandpapas.com/en-gb/tummy-time-roll-offspring/p/7588os100?source=aw&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Genie+Shopping&awc=6526_1574954745_19aab5e9b8eeaa0bcb2d4b1f73ce4026

lifesbetteraftertea · 28/11/2019 15:58

Hi,
Both my children have had this, my first one exactly like your lo going by your picture. He's 3 now and it's not noticeable at all. I can still see it when I'm looking down at his head and his hairs wet in the bath but that's only because I've obsessed over it, I genuinely don't think anyone else could ever notice it. My second lb has it slightly more severely I would say and I did get a referral to a
Paed dr who strongly advised I didn't go down the helmet route, as some pp have said, it's not a terribly nice experience, and there's not enough evidence to say that their
Little heads wouldn't correct themselves to the same extent anyway. Once your lo is mobile and sleeping in all difference positions nd his birthday grows more etc it will look absolutely fine I'm
Sure

blackcat86 · 29/11/2019 05:02

Have you tried cranial osteopathy? This was a game changer for DD as she had a lot of muscle tightness and didnt want to adjust her position. I was sceptical but even after the first session I could see a difference her how she was sitting

Countryescape · 29/11/2019 05:30

I doubt it will right itself. It looks pretty flat. My daughter was like this too.,she still has quite a flat head. I wish I’d done more

Snowmonster · 29/11/2019 05:33

Push for a paeds appointment just to rule out craniosynostosis. Have a look on the NHS website as it has information on there about it.

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