Do flat heads curve out again over time?

[Murtette]

Our DD is 16 weeks old and has slept facing to the right (so with her left cheek on the pillow) since the moment she was born. I've noticed that the left side of her face and head is significantly flatter than the right side. Will it unflatten over time and is there anything I can do to encourage this? I know you can get those specially shaped pillows to prevent a baby getting a flat back of the head - is there anything similar for the side of the head?

Thanks!

Some will.

Some won't.

You need an assymetry test.

You will got lets of comments on here and
there are thousands of posts on this topic.

Hi Murtette,its a hotly debated question even, I think, in the medical profession.

There are some websites that might help such as plagiouk and also there are a number of threads on mumsnet as Fab says.

I'd say get as much info as possible. At 16 weeks you could try repositioning your baby. As I said Plagiouk have a website and they also have repositioning advice and list products that might help.

Murtette - You need to press your GP for a referral. My DS1 was the same. He had a tilt and also a preference for one side since birth and everyone (including GP, health visitor, my MIL) insisted this was normal and it will be fine as he grows up. Guess what? It wasn't. I took him to a pediatrician when he was 4 months old as I knew it wasn't right. He took one look at him and diagnosed torticollis and referred to a physio. After some very uncomfortable exercises I had to do daily to stretch his muscles, by one year old, his head was a lot more symmetrical. I now look at photos of him from the early months and wondered why I didn't push for a referral earlier as their neck muscles are a lot softer and easier to manipulate before 4 months old. He's now almost 2 and you can see he still has a bit of a tilt and his head is still slightly flatter on one side but only I notice it. Good luck!

My ds is 5 and still has a flat head at the back. He has a very thick head of hair so is virtually unnoticeable except that his ear sticks out more on one side - bless him!

Agree with angel that it's worth getting GP to think about torticollis.
Essentially, if can fix that problem - via physio - then the head will probably sort itself out (babies heads are very maleable at this stage!)

Push for a referral if you are at all worried. We noticed this right from birth with DS (always positioned to one direction) and though GP and Health Service basically laughed at me and made me feel ridiculous for being worried about it, there WAS a problem and because we caught it very early (referral still takes some time) we were able to do the appropriate things to save DS much difficulty in the future.

Our circumstances were rare and contributed to by a difficult birth, but we are so glad we persevered. And our GP especially made us feel very, very "silly" for pushing...until the report came back. Better to be silly than sorry IMO.

Thank you, ladies, for your responses. I don't think she has a tilt but one side of her face is definitely flatter so I'll make an appt with the GP. She's generally got good head control so I think I'll have her on her tummy/in the bumbo/sitting etc as much as possible so she's not lying on that side and try and put toys to her left to encourage her to turn that way more.

Murtette - I didn't think my DS1 had a tilt, he was more what you described, just had a very definite preference to one side when he was little. I don't think you will see the tilt till they start holding their heads up, which is around 4 months old... You know, your GP just needs to make the referral. Insist on it. What makes me more regretful was that the exercises that the physio prescribed wasn't difficult to do but was definitely uncomfortable for DS1 and it made a difference very quickly...

Make sure you really push for it. My DS slept on one side of his head from a very early age. He hated tummy time, I tried to move his head when he was asleep etc and he always turned it straight back. I was told by docs and HV that it would correct itself. He is 2 now and I can still see it. It isn't as bad as it was but very noticable to me. When he wears a hat you can really see it.

at LD.

has anyone used the sleepcurve mattress to help treat flat head on one side. I have just bought one but the foam seems to have a strong chemical smell. Anyone else found that?

During the day when you are around put her to sleep on her side to help even out the pressure while you wait for an appointment. You may need to put a rolled up towel behind her back to stop her rolling back. Don't leave her unattended in this position.

I have to say LeonieDelt, that your response is not at all helpful. As a mother whose DD also has a very flat head at the back, I'm sure the mother does notice it and is probably worried. So comments about how "odd" a baby looks are not helpful.

Fab, just to let you know (as you kindly answered my thread on this previously), I have now got a referral from the GP for the 18th March. She is convinced that it is purely cosmetic in DD's case but was absolutely in agreement that we wanted a second opinion to be sure. Thanks for your help.

Murtette, definitely get a referral as soon as you can. Always better to be safe than sorry. It may be too late for our DD as she is 9 months next week but we will see what they say. Good luck!

Can you go to a cranial Osteopath? They should be able to advise you and the treatment is incredibly gentle. The literally rest your lo's head in their hands. The federation of pediatric osteopathy in London will see you for a donation, rather than £40 which is the going rate.

Push, push and push as this is not a cosmetic issue if left. I appreciate you coming back to let us know and thank you for your thanks. Good luck.