If your baby got a flat head...

[MayimBialik]

1. when did you first notice it?
2. at what point was it at its worst?
3. what did you do about it?
4. did it get better?

Thanks for your time

1. Within a few weeks of birth.
2. Can't quite recall, maybe 2-3 months.
3. I bought a special pillow from JoJo Maman Bebe - jojomamanbebe.co.uk/sp+clevafoam-baby-pillow-in-clevamama+B6732 is a good one but they also do a cute heart pillow for use during the day.
4. It got better a few months down the line. Probably more due to age and moving about more rather than lying down so much than due to the pillows, but I figure they might help and so are worth a try. Incidentally dd now has a bit of a flat head but won't stay on a pillow. I'm just watching it for now and trying to encourage her to turn her head more to the less favoured side.

First noticed around five months. Spoke two or three times to doctor about it (can't remember exactly when but definitely within first twelve months) and was told it would correct itself by two years.

It looked at it's worst between 12-18 months.

It never corrected itself totally, however it is not obviously noticeable now unless DS has his hair wet. (DS is seven years old). I wish I had insisted on a helmet when he was a baby.

Sorry, just to add - my son was a typical case - first born twin who was head down in pelvis, born prematurely and spent a lot of time lying in bouncy chair or on back. I feel partly responsible for contributing to his wonky head.

Can I ask why you want to know before I reply?

Thanks for your replies.

I want to know because I'm worried about DS developing a flat head. Have posted about it before. I am keeping a close eye on it but am pretty sure a flat patch is developing but it's not obvious yet. He's 10 weeks.

Ds1 had a flat head very mildly when he was born. It resolved completely by the time he was 6 months.
Definitely make sure that he's not spending all his time with pressure on the flat part of his head.
Use a sling as suggested above and make sure he has some time on his tummy - build that up as much as you can.
Can he turn his head both ways equally as well?

1. Soon after birth
2. It only ever got better. We took photos of the top of his head to make sure.
3. Cranial osteopathy and repositioning when sleeping.
4. Improved gradually over time, but less noticeable after 6 or 7 months.

First noticed at about 2 months.

Was at its worst at around age 1-2.

We tried to make sure he had his head held in different positions but no luck.

Can only notice it now he is 10 if you know about it IYSWIM, his head is still asymmetrical from above, the flat bit on DS was at the left side of his head and made the right side bulge out a bit.

First noticed straight away. Had a helmet on at 16 weeks. Wore for 6months and has been totally normal since

Hello. I remember your other thread, but I didn't post - I noticed it because I recognised myself in it! It struck a chord with me, as I had post-natal depression as a result of an OCD-type disorder which was at its worst just before and for several months after the birth of my DS. Worrying about his flat patch was one of the things that plagued me during this time - I am not saying this is the case for you, but it did cause a lot of needless anxiety. He DID have a slightly flat patch and like you, I kept taking lots of photos, convinced it was bad and feeling awful that I had let it happen to him. Everybody else either denied being able to see it, or said it was extremely minor and not noticeable. Anyway, I worked hard at repositioning and it resolved itself. If it IS a flat patch, which sounds unlikely if even you aren't sure, then be assured you've caught it really early and you should easily be able to make sure it corrects itself.

1. when did you first notice it? I suddenly noticed it when DS was 4 months (having spotted it in a photo), and immediately panicked.
2. at what point was it at its worst? At the time I noticed it.
3. what did you do about it? Repositioning. I won't lie; I really obsessed about it, and made sure he never spent any time on his flat patch. I bought an angular pillow thing which helped DS sleep on his non-flat side, and I slept next to him, on that side, to encourage him to stay turned towards me. I held him in my arms the other way round so there was never pressure on his flat patch. I also did lots of play with him to encourage him to look to his left (the non-flat side) as he had a preference for turning his head to the right (the flat side). I also did loads of tummy time with him, which he didn't like much, but tolerated in small sessions.
4. did it get better? All the above things worked. By the time he was 7/8 months, it was barely noticeable. I even have some really good before and after shots! Now he is nearly 3 and has a symmetrical, rounded head.

If I were you, I'd concentrate on repositioning for now, and wait at least 2 or 3 months. I bet you will find that it is resolving itself nicely. If not, then you still have plenty of time to organise a helmet.

Oh, and another thing to put your mind at rest - more recently, when looking at photos of my husband as a baby (PIL were comparing him with DS), I noticed in a couple of photos that he had quite a flat head. Later I looked at DH's head from above and realised he's quite assymetrical and still has a flat patch on his right side!

So, I married him and had a baby with him before I noticed it (he doesn't have long hair, and we are the same height, so it's not like I didn't have the opportunity). Even knowing it's there, I still don't think it's noticeable at all. So on an adult's head, I think it must be very rare for plagiocephaly be noticeable.

A friend pointed out DSs flat head when he was about 4 months old. I'd noticed it a while before but hadn't been two worried. The fact that someone else had pointed it out panicked me & I took him to see the doc.
Their advice was that it was due to positioning. The skull is still soft until 1 yr so repeated pressure on one spot causes flattening. I was following the SIDs guidelines & placing him on his back for all naps/sleep. Doc categorically said DO NOT reposition baby on side/front, just try to ensure he spends time when awake upright/on tummy.
He referred us for an x ray to check the sutures hadn't closed prematurely. Everything was fine. They said it would correct itself as DS began to sit up etc & sure enough hes 8 months and it's lots better. Still noticeable as he doesn't have much hair but not enough that I'd want him to have the discomfort of wearing a helmet. When he has hair I don't think anyone will know he nice had a flat spot!