To be worried about DS's flat head?

[Fieldings15]

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...

My dd's never righted itself either but you can't tell to be honest as her hair hides it when down, it's only when I put her her in plaits or something that it's noticeable.

I would seek a 2nd opinion because yes hair can cover it but what if he wants/has to shave his head one day ? I always remember a guy who was going bald but didn’t want to shave because he had an odd shaped head & would always grow his hair long or wear hats to conceal it.

My dd now 7 had plagiocephally, gp referred us to the paediatrician who said they couldn't treat it so we went to a clinic. Dd had helmet treatment as it was that bad her ears weren't aligned. It was worth every penny imo.

Cranial osteopath is the person to see.

My DSs head was very very flat and the cranial osteopath sorted it when he was older. I assume she could have sorted it when he was younger if we’d known about them.

But I would def advise a cranial osteopath looking at it.

My son had a helmet. It didn’t bother him at all and there’s no risk of skin infections?? The clinic gave us some special cleaner to use on it

I got my son one of those pillows with a gap to relieve pressure it sorted his out straight away. Obviously sids advice is nothing in cot so you need to consider that. I felt comfortable with this pillow and it was very thin, lightweight and firm.

My ds had craniosynostosis and yanbu to be concerned. I’d definitely push for a referral.

My grandson was born at 32 weeks, his head was very flat in one particular area right up until he was about 14 months old, however over the last 4 months or so his head has started to form a more regular shape.

It makes me wonder whether the back to sleep campaign is the most optimal sleep method for babies.
Flat head syndrome is so widespread- that can't be biologically " normal".

It makes me wonder whether the back to sleep campaign is the most optimal sleep method for babies.

Flat head syndrome is so widespread- that can't be biologically " normal".

No, it's probably not. But being as flat head syndrome is cosmetic and death is rather more serious, the advice is rightly focussed on preventing the latter. It's like folic acid- there's a link apparently between increased folic acid intake in pregnancy and tongue tie. However, spina bifida is much worse than tongue tie, so the advice is still to take the folic acid.

RolytheRhino I don't dispute that.

But from a biological perspective it doesn't make sense. We are introducing a blunt instrument to solve the problem.

Much like the folic acid- if we all had a good healthy diet there would be no need for foic acid supplements- but we don't so it is best to take them.

My sons head was like this, it’s still a bit wonky but it’s better than it was as a baby and not noticeable unless you are looking at him from above and who stands and stares down at the top of someone else’s head?

@speakout back to sleep is the single biggest reason for the reduction in SIDS deaths rates.

OwlBeThere I don't dispute that.

I chose not to follow the recommendation however!

My son is nearly 12 and I was fobbed off with the 'it will right itself as he grows'. I enquired about helmets and was told as he grew it would round out, it didn't. I really regret not getting a second opinion.

Well it can be dangerous actually….it can increase pressure upon the brain and cause brain damage or even death….where the hell you got it’s just a cosmetic issue I don’t know but you really shouldn’t be saying that…. And I agree I think the back to sleep issue should be addressed