Flat Head

[FashionMommy]

My son's head became flat when he was 1.5months, now he is 4months old and it's not getting better at all. I try to turn his head to side when he is asleep but in seconds he turns his head straight on his back. I read a lot of articles and forums and some says that it will sort itself out later on and some that something needs to be done asap. Did anyone use NHS helmet? I think to wait few more months to see if it gets better when he sits and if it's not getting better by let's say 8month ask for a helmet. But I wonder if it's not going to be too late to fix it. I try to carry him a lot during day but he spends most of the day and night sleeping, it doesn't get better even he sleeps on special soft pillow. I wonder if anything changes later on as he will still be sleeping more less 15hours a day (we put baby to bed at 7pm till 7am plus afternoon sleep). Any advice please? Anyone used NHS helmet? And if yes, how long? Thank you.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly/Pages/Introduction.aspx looks like you would have to pay if you wanted a helmet

DD had a flat head. She's 20 now, and still a bit flat TBH, though you wouldn't notice if you saw her walking down the street. I am just hyper-aware because I'm her mum. I don't think she's noticed, and I haven't mentioned it

One of my DCs had a very misshapen skull as a baby.

Our paediatrician told us that the NHS will only treat misshapen skulls in babies - this would include babies with flat heads - if the doctors think that the issues with the skull are likely to affect brain growth and development. One thing they were concerned about with our baby was the possibility that the skull plates might have fused too early, this is rare, but is something that can mean the baby's brain doesn't have room to grow normally.

If they think the brain will be able to grow normally, then the skull being partly flat or otherwise misshapen is considered a cosmetic issue and things like helmets to treat it isn't something that the NHS will pay for.

This may vary between different areas in the country, and our experience was several years ago, so the policy may have changed, but I wouldn't count on the NHS funding a helmet.
In any case, if you have concerns, I'd advise you to speak to your GP about it, they'll be able to refer you onto a paediatrician if they agree it's something to be concerned about.

In our case, after some monitoring, our baby's skull shape was ultimately considered a cosmetic issue by the paediatrician, and our baby's head shape grew more normal as baby got older, particularly once baby was sitting, then crawling, and able to roll over in the cot at night. Our child is now 5, and with a normally shaped head.

I think that I might have flat head as well but as a female I have loads of hair, you can't even notice, but for a boy/men I think it's different story. I just wonder how long we can wait to see if it's sorting itself out. I just don't want to leave it till too late.
Did any of you have a baby with flat head and how long did it take to get back to round shape? If I wait let's say till 8months, maybe within couple months when baby sits and changes sleeping positions will get better... And if not, i wonder if 8months old not too late to get the helmet?

ShadowFall do you know how long it took to get back round shape?

My youngest had this. Head then rolls to flat area as the default. Saw child physio every month until turned one. Wanted to check neck was no tightening and full movement. Check used both sides of body equally.
He is great, walked at 9 months. Head no issue. Still has a slight flat patch but nothing like when born. Rounded off a lot.
Please get a referral through health visitor if you are worried.

My baby is 11 weeks and has restricted movement to one side due to a lump on her neck. As well as lots of play and encouragement to turn her head to the right I started using a donut shaped pillow for daytime naps. There are loads on Amazon. I bought the BLH one as recommended by my baby's physiotherapist. The cozime one was also recommended.

My DS's head became flat at the back/side when he was a few months old. We talked to the GP but we're advised to wait. In hindsight I wish we'd looked into helmets as his head stayed quite flat at the back (the barber commented on it recently, unprompted by me)

My husband likes to remind me that I have a flat back 😑

I waited and waited as the docs said my son's head would round out. It didn't. I had to use a helmet and as I was late starting (after 12 months) the results weren't as great as the clinic expected. Even now his head is flat and his ears are uneven

My baby's ears are very uneven now. Her face was so symmetrical when she was born and just a few short weeks of restricted movement has changed one side of her face. It's early days for us so I'm hoping exercises and the pillow we're using will help.

I can't remember now how long it took our DC's head to get to a normal shape. It was a very gradual thing, but we could see that it was starting to improve before 8 months.

We'd been discharged from the paediatrician by 8 months though as they were satisfied by then it was a cosmetic issue, and as I said, the head shape was improving by then.

But, if you're concerned, I wouldn't wait until 8 months or however old to seek advice. I'd ask the GP or HV about it sooner rather than later. They may suggest waiting to see if it improves by itself. But if you do need referrals it might take some time to get appointments sorted out.