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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

6 week old prefers one side of head - is this a cause for concern?

14 replies

SheldorAFK · 07/10/2013 21:48

Ds when laid on back will only lay his head to the left. When held upright or in the carrier he will freely move his head both sides, so i know it's not a physical issue. I also give him about 10 mins tummy time a day (not including time in the carrier which would be maybe 2-3 hours).

My issue s the left side of his head is now looking distinctly flat and his head is looking mishapen. I spoke to the HV about it and she said as long as he could move him his head not worry and all babies have a side preference, but the flat mishapen head is now worrying me.

Is this a cause for concern?

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cravingcake · 07/10/2013 22:43

In a word yes. What sort of delivery did you have? I had a forceps delivery and also shoulder dystocia and i noticed my DS was favouring one side, even though he could move his head freely both ways. My hv said to encourage him to look the other way with toys/tv/me etc. i also asked my gp about it at his 6 week check and was told it wasnt really anything to worry about. They were both wrong.

I took my DS to a chiropractor at about 11 weeks old (who specialises in babies) after speaking to a few other new mums and within minutes of him examining DS he was able to tell me my DS had 3 vertabrae in his neck that were out of line, causing discomfort when he moved which is why he favoured looking one way. If this was left he could have had lifelong problems. A few treatments and now he is a healthy almost 2 year old but his head is slightly misshapen still (but only i really notice).

Definitely trust your instincts and get your DS checked over by a good chiropractor or cranial osteopath. Its much easier to manipulate the skeleton now while they are growing than to try to fix something years down the line.

AnythingNotEverything · 07/10/2013 22:50

I think this is actually really common. I'd keep an eye on it, but not rush for a referral just yet.

I think PP's situation is quite a rare one.

Original poster

SheldorAFK · 08/10/2013 05:23

Okay now I am extremely worried..,.delivery was completely normal.

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Percephone · 08/10/2013 06:33

My baby does this too. He's 7 weeks now. I mentioned it to the HV who said it is common and to encourage tummy time. She said it would resolve by 2 years. I asked GP also and she said I should encourage him to look the other way and roll a blanket around his head under the sheet to keep his head from going to the same side. I did this during the day when I could watch him however I didn't during the night as I am worried he might vomit and won't be able to turn his head. Sorry probably not much help but I think it's common and should improve in time.

cravingcake · 08/10/2013 07:16

Sorry to worry you OP, i've re-read my post and i can imagine how scary that must sound to a new mum. The force used with forceps, and maneouvers used to release shoulder dystocia could have been what damaged my son's neck (and i'll never know which it was). With a completely normal birth the chances of anything really serious are so much lower.

Try not to worry, but do trust your instinct. If you feel something is wrong and that you are being fobbed off by gp, hv etc then ask for a second opinion. Or pay privately, around £30-£50 for a check over from a cranial osteopath or chiropractor for your own peace of mind.

Original poster

SheldorAFK · 08/10/2013 08:03

Thank you craving will get him checked out at a cranial osteopath though just to be on the safe side. He has positional talipes on one foot as well from being so long and running out of space in the womb...could this have an affect on preferring one side perhaps?

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HallieGirl · 08/10/2013 09:08

Sounds just like my ds - also had positional talipes from being squished up in side me. I had a normal delivery. He could move his head to other side but not as far. He would not sleep any other way except on his left side however much I encouraged the other way. This resulted in his head being quite flat on this side. Anyway now he is 22 weeks he has suddenly started sleeping the other way and looking up - I think his head is a better shape already! His feet have also straightened out now. So I think this is all quite common and should resolve over time.?

Original poster

SheldorAFK · 08/10/2013 17:45

hallie did your gp or hv say anything about ot? Should I take him to the docs tomorrow?

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castlesintheair · 08/10/2013 17:56

He's very young and yes it probably will correct itself. However I wish I had not listened to all the professionals who told me this would happen naturally as my DS aged 12 still has asymmetry and braciochephaly. I would trust your instincts. There's no harm in going for one OT appointment in a month or so if it hasn't improved.

HallieGirl · 08/10/2013 23:05

Hv said do tummy time and encourage him to look other way when playing. No harm in getting it checked out - but just to reassure you it will probably be fine.

froken · 09/10/2013 10:55

My son did this, he was also long (55cm) I think his head had been stuck in that position in my womb.

I carried him lots in a Moby wrap, when he was asleep I'd gently turn his head, he also slept on us, he was never on his back in the daytimes.

Ladyhawke127 · 10/10/2013 11:01

My friend baby was huge when he was born and due to the position he was in in her tummy he has a mediastinal tumor on one side. It sounds really scary, it is not a tumour in the usual sense, rather a shortening of the muscles along the outside of his neck. If untreated. ( with physio and exercise) it can affect the way baby will walk and carry himself. It is easily delt with, but go back and ask to be revered to the paeds. Congratulations on having your beautiful baby. Get back to them just to make sure that you have covered everything.

mindosa · 10/10/2013 11:09

Yes it can be a problem. I had a normal delivery, small baby and for some unknown reason her neck muscles on one side were tight. I got physio and sorted it but she has a pronounced flatness on one side and its noticeable as she has poor hair.

mumteedum · 11/10/2013 08:50

Hi.ds has flat spot on head. Followed all hv's advice. Dr wasn't worried either but like you we noticed he'd only sleep one side. Took him to cranial osteopath at 8 months old. To be brief, he had a stiff neck which she corrected in 2 treatments. I went for 3 cos I wanted to be sure. It was £40 a session but felt she was very good, and ethical. So £40 to put mind at ease could be worth it if you can get recommendation?

Earlier you treat it if there is anything the better the result. There was similar thread a while ago with lots good advice if you search. Don't panic though. It'll be ok and trust your mum instincts!

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