Flat head? Plagiocephaly?

[Noloudnoises]

Hello, my baby is developing a wonky head! Flattening on one side. He does have a tendency to look that side so it might be a neck thing.

I'm looking for private consultants that specialise in this in London and the south east.

We're lucky enough to have Bupa. I'll be looking on their consultant finder website but often it's a bit hit and miss so I'm writing this to see if anyone has experience of any specialists?

I've had a giggle and am reluctant to go with the first few hits as they see my to want to ram a helmet onto the child's head and I have no desire to do this!

*google!

Look up torticollis if you haven't done so already. If you're in the U.K., they don't tend to use a helmet, but not sure if that's different if you go private. My child has torticollis and plagiocephaly and we're doing physiotherapy and cranial osteopathy.

My DS had a wonky head. His neck was stiff on one side so he would only look in one direction and his head went a bit flat on that side. We tried cranial osteopathy which didn't do much, but I just encouraged him to look the other way and lie the other way. He's 19 months now and his head is still a tiny bit wonky but only I would notice and you can only tell because he's still totally bald! Most grow out of it or their hair covers it.

My BIL is a paediatrician and he actually says that 'flat head syndrome' doesn't exist. Yes there are some developmental problems that would cause a misshapen head, but the head is a symptom of them (not a condition itself) and if you/your child had one of them then you would know about it. He told me that the flat head thing is invented so that companies can sell those helmets!

I get quite upset when I see such negativity towards the helmets. One of my twins had tortacollis and severe plagiocephaly. I did everything I could to help her including a cranial osteopath and physio for her neck. Itdidn't work. I found the attitudes of the NHS towards helmets alarming. Most of the time the shape doesn't correct itself. I did get her a helmet in the end and although not perfect her head is a much better shape. Had I not of had the helmet treatment she would have had an obviously misshapen head for life. I wish people would have an open mind about the use of helmets.

Thank you all. Yes it might be a torticollis. I'm doing lots of tummy time and encouraging looking to the other side.

I've switched him round in his side sleeper and am trying to get him to look the other way (at me). Fingers crossed!

I've spoken to 'ahead 4 babies' who have advised to do the same and send them a picture and then possibly see them when he is 4 months. She seemed hopeful that as I've got to it early it might get better if we keep at it?

In Sweden then use flat pillows which the UK obviously doesn't advise. I've been propping him up on my bed pillow for day time naps whilst I lounge next to him.

I just couldn't possibly put him in a helmet however I do think they work looking at the results.

@Mrswalliams1
With respect, how do you know your child would have had a misshapen head? Most baby's heads are not symmetrical and generally get better over time usually as a result of them being able to sit up/be mobile on their own so not as much pressure.

My sons head was a very strange shape. Had lots of comments about it. He's now 9 months and there has been massive improvement with no treatment at all. Doctors barely shrugged and said it will take up to 18 months but completly run of the mill.

It's way more obvious in babies as they don't have much hair. Adults heads are not symmetrical either you know?!

My youngest had this, she was lying at a funny angle in the womb, not quite posterior more like 45degrees. She'd only turn her head one way. She was referred for possible hip displasia and the physiotherapist that was working alongside the paediatrician picked it up so it was noticed early. I was given exercises for her hip and neck to do with her every nappy change and to encourage lots of tummy time. She didn't like either and I think if she'd been my first I don't think I could have coped with the crying but by no 3 I was much more "it's for your own good". She was discharged at her second follow up appointment, about 6months iirc

My now 7 year old had a really flat head as a baby. We saw a specialist who said that as there was no need for surgery, the only option was a helmet. He advised against it, it was 23 hours a day I think, at the time. He wasn’t an advocate for them frankly and we weren’t keen either so we left it. He has a big head (we all do) that is now just very slightly flat at the back. He’s utterly beautiful.