Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Behaviour/development

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

New first time mum worried sick that ds is getting a flat head

30 replies

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 21:24

Spoke to hv today as noticed when stroking my 15 week old little boys head he has like a flatness on the left side almost like a dink.Im worried sick that i have caused this as he has his play gym and loves to kick about on that and has now started to sleep through the night on his back,other than that i try to keep him off his back as much as possible.Which was the hv advice which i cant understand as i do do that Anyone else experienced this am i being over anxious as i am now sick with worry

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

UCM · 04/04/2007 21:27

Lots of children are developing this as a result of the 'lay them on their back to sleep' campaign. Which is right. My DD is getting a flat head at 10 weeks, but my DS who I also laid on his back, didn't. I am hoping that it will sort itself out in time. My MIL (dead now) always put her 6 babies on their backs (youngest is 46), and none of them have flat heads, sort of peanuty Hee Hee. So I am rest assured.

undertheduvet · 04/04/2007 21:32

Hi there

My son who is now 16 months had a flat side of his head (right) and this was noted by our HV at his 3 month check.She worried me by saying that we only had a limited time to correct it and he should only spend time on his back asleep. On the other hand our GP said not to worry and it would even itself out in time.
Now you can hardly see any flattening at all. I think that as they become more mobile (rolling, crawling, walking) they spend very little time with their heads flat. Once my son could roll he started sleeping on his tummy, we gave up rolling him back after a while as he always ended up that way anyway!
Anyway what Im trying to say in a rambley way is dont worry yourself sick over it, his head will more than likely right itself in time.
Sometimes I think that the advice HV give you is meant well but they dont always realise the stress they put on you!

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 21:44

thanks ucm and under the duvet for helping me to feel a little better.Have been looking at the archived messages but tbh its just upsetting me more.So is a v common thing ten and its nothing ive done?

OP posts:

UCM · 04/04/2007 21:46

Yes, you have been putting him in the vice again havent' you, norty girl.

Only joking, I am a bit concerned but I KNOW that it will right itslef.

LowFatMilkshake · 04/04/2007 21:49

Dont put your baby to sleep on thier front because you are worried about flat head.

MY DS is 16 weeks, he developed a flat side to his head because he preferred one side of his moses basket - the side nearer me.

He is now in his cot and the outlook on his room is the opposite side so he is evening out.

Incidentally FWIW I also go with what my GP says over the HV as GP is consistent in advice and the 3 HV's at our practice all vary in thier advice.

MissGolightly · 04/04/2007 21:57

Really really don't worry about this - my little boy has a flat head on one side where he had a marked preference from birth for laying his head to the left. I turned his cot around so he had to turn the other way to look at me and he started to sleep looking the other way. Now he's older he sleeps on his front (his choice not mine!) and it's filling out.

If you are bothered you could try gently turning his head to the other side when you lay him down to sleep, but tbh they'll do what they want, and it's not your fault.

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 21:57

no no iwont just been into him and seen he has moved back on to the left side again so i have just placed him on the right

OP posts:

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 21:58

i just know im going to be up all night now unable to sleep and turning him evey time he goes on the left side of his head.

OP posts:

Malaleche · 04/04/2007 22:00

DDs skull seemed somewhat oddly shaped to me for a while but it was just the bones being pushed out of shape while she was being born s..l..o..w..l..y. It righted itself and now her head is perfect

Malaleche · 04/04/2007 22:02

Dont worry about it! - he's probably comfier lying with his head on the flat bit - once he starts sitting up more then it'll right itself!

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 22:02

only just noticed this mal but have to admit i was too scared to touch any part of his head until this past week as he is more robust now just in case i harmed him or hurt him in anyway

OP posts:

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 22:03

i am keeping up right during the day now even more so than before he is constantly being propped up with pillows.

OP posts:

shonaspurtle · 04/04/2007 22:05

Debbsy, it's called positional plagiocephaly - it's very common now because of babies lying on their backs more.

Have a look at this .

My nephew had a very obvious flattening of the back of his head when he was about 3 months. He's a year old now and it has largely corrected itself as he has become mobile and spent less time lying down. When he's got more hair it'll be even less visible but will likely continue to get better according to his doctor.

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 04/04/2007 22:10

thanks Shona

OP posts:

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 05/04/2007 09:24

i did put ds to sleep last nite on his right side of his head and luckily he stayed there

OP posts:

AnnabelCaramel · 05/04/2007 09:26

Please don't worry. This is such a helpful thread; my lo suffered the same. I went to the drs about 3 times -I asked if i should try and vary how he sleeps and the dr said 'you can try all you like, but he'll still do whatever he wants' - which is so true. It DOES get better, my lo's is changing quite rapidly now.

purpleflower · 05/04/2007 09:32

DS (6 months) had a flat head but now he is sitting, started to crawl and sleeps on his tummy (his choice) I can already see its getting better.

DP had an extremely flat head as a baby and it is normal now.

don't panic, it's ok

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 05/04/2007 09:53

thanks feel loads better for this thank you

OP posts:

justaphase · 05/04/2007 09:57

Another vote for Don't worry.

My ds had very flat had from aboout 3-mo. He is now 18 months and you cant really see it.

Original poster

Debbsyandson · 05/04/2007 09:59

i will try probably find something else to worry anbout now.As i am a complete worry wort when it comes to ds lol

OP posts:

Mumpbump · 05/04/2007 10:09

You can get pillows that are meant to help. Don't know what they're called, but you could do a google search.

michaelad · 05/04/2007 10:14

Hi there,
my ds2 did have plagiocephaly (moderate) and wore a docband (helmet type thing to correct the shape) for about 3 months. It has gotten significantly better (ears used to be out by 22 millimetres and are now only 4 millim.) and it never ever bothered him at all. We always used to say that he looks like a cross between an astronaut and a gladiator wearing his helmet . Cat me if you want to know more!

wulfricsmummy · 05/04/2007 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NoNickname · 05/04/2007 15:05

DS had positional plagiocephaly too - and had a helmet which corrected it really well. But at 15 weeks you can do something called active repositioning and you have another two or three months to really make a change yourselves. It's hard work, but it does work if you do it dilligently.

There are some good repo tips on the Plagio UK website

ScottishThistle · 05/04/2007 15:08

My present charge was born with moderate plagiocephaly (ears out by 9mm) & it's less noticeable now she's 3yo with hair, try not to worry.

Flip

1 2