baby funny shaped head

[ch1134]

Hi.
My 8 month old is developing normally, has an absolutely beautiful face, but an odd shaped head. It bulges out at the sides and is quite flat at the back, so it's quite wide, if you can imagine that. I first noticed when he was about 5mo and I think it's getting worse.
Is this a ridiculous thing to see a doctor about? Do you think it will change?
Thanks

Go and see the doctor - it's probably cosmetic but there are things that can be done about it, but not when they get too old

My daughter had a strange shaped head. It was due to how I put her in the cot which was against a wall. I thought she should face out towards the room. I was young and inexperienced. Didn't realise that babies heads are so soft that lying them down in the same position distorts their skulls. The good news is that gradually the distortion righted itself but took awhile. Doctor noticed it but seemed reassured by her normal development. This was a long time ago and I had forgotten about it until I saw your post.

Yes go and get him checked, if it's really bad they may recommend a helmet to correct shape ( has to be done before 1 year I think)

However general things you can do:

• as above, place to sleep in different angle. So head at different end of cot easiest as will generally face outwards slightly so different side of head
• don't use baby bouncers
• only use car seat in car. Never add to pram chassis or leave baby in indoors if asleep.
• lots of time laying on tummy on floor, or sitting up now 8months.
• use a sling more than pram if possible. As his head won't be leant again pram so much
• add sheepskin to pram so his head has less pressure on it
• take to osteopath.

My dd has a flat head, she slept 7-7 from 4 weeks so wasn't bring moved about as much as most other children! Try lots of tummy time, everything else (the weird pillows and moving their head position) was useless as she would just move her head back and wriggle off the pillow! I would go to the drs though, if it's serious they may want to do a few scans to double check everything's ok

Many thanks. He can't stay awake in the carseat so I am guilty of letting him sleep on in it. Will stop that. I'll look into getting a sheepskin too, and start putting him down at the other end of the cot.
He's always loved tummy time and never sits or lies down for long as he just crawls off. He's very active and has been crawling from 6 months.
Appreciate the responses.

The helmet things are pointless. There's a reason the nhs won't fund them (you have to pay 2-3k privately).

As others have said, it's likely normal and will right itself as he grows and can get himself in different positions. Still might be worth checking with a hv or Dr though :)

It's called brachycephaly- google it. My son had plagiocephaly. We got a helmet which worked very effectively although it was from 6 months. See a specialist if you're very concerned (you can self-refer) as many HVs and GPs are unaware of the condition or simply dismissive.

Now that he's crawling you will probably find it helps a lot.

Yes stop using car seat and try and lay him down fully when he naps ie in cot/ pram/ or on sheepskin on floor even.