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Sons misshaped head

13 replies

cttd1 · 14/04/2022 23:38

My sons 9 months old. His head was SO flat on one side from where he lay on it. The last 8 weeks it's got slightly less flat but it's still wonky. Can I ask when should I call a doctor about this? Anyone experienced this? Will it go back to normal eventually or??? A few months ago I asked the nurse when he got his jabs and she wasn't concerned. It isn't major but it is noticeable when you look... any advice appreciated!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
nocoolnamesleft · 14/04/2022 23:41

www.nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocephaly-brachycephaly/

DontStopMeNow7 · 14/04/2022 23:44

Just ask your GP. I’m not sure if you mean he was born that way and GP already knows or he just woke up one day with it?

fallfallfall · 14/04/2022 23:57

you need to speak to your family dr., there are varying degrees of severity and different treatment options. sometimes simple physiotherapy sometimes helmets and sometimes surgery.

Foreverbaffled · 15/04/2022 06:47

It’s totally normal and nothing to worry about. He will grow out of it enough for it not to matter. Helmets etc aren’t recommended in the UK as there is very little evidence to their helpfulness (and are ridiculously expensive.) Both my children have a flat spot - the 5 year olds isn’t remotely visible now and the 16 month olds is improving steadily.

Letsbekindplease · 15/04/2022 07:58

My sons head was very flat at the back. We took him to dr where I broke down. We spoke to private health care professionals. Nobody and I mean nobody seemed to care.

He’s now 2.5 and it’s a lot better but still slightly flat. Not sure if this will ever sort itself out or not. Baldness runs through both sides of the family and I fear he will become bald early on in life and the flat head will be very obvious.
I wish I Went to a cranial osteopath had I known what I know now. Maybe Google and see if any near by?
Also try to avoid putting him on that side if you can help it.
He’s still young so try not to worry too much. My sons was pretty severe

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/04/2022 08:03

@Letsbekindplease

My sons head was very flat at the back. We took him to dr where I broke down. We spoke to private health care professionals. Nobody and I mean nobody seemed to care.

He’s now 2.5 and it’s a lot better but still slightly flat. Not sure if this will ever sort itself out or not. Baldness runs through both sides of the family and I fear he will become bald early on in life and the flat head will be very obvious.
I wish I Went to a cranial osteopath had I known what I know now. Maybe Google and see if any near by?
Also try to avoid putting him on that side if you can help it.
He’s still young so try not to worry too much. My sons was pretty severe

I don't think a cranial osteopath would've changed the shape of your child's head.

OP it's really common, I've know a couple of babies and they've looked like they have half a head it's so flat. Even then there wasn't any treatment necessary and by the time they had a full head of hair it wasn't noticeable.

Letsbekindplease · 15/04/2022 22:25

No it wouldn’t change the shape but it would have helped the muscles allowing more movement. He always favoured a side due to neck muscles being tight after a difficult birth. Looking back I wish I went to a CO.

hindsight is a wonderful thing as they say

fallfallfall · 16/04/2022 02:53

it's not up to mn though to decide if it needs to be assessed by a professional or not.
just because one person's child was fine several others need physiotherapy or helmets.
the uk doesn't recommend chickenpox vaccinations either, certainly no shining example of gold standard care.

HeyBlaby · 16/04/2022 02:55

Cranial osteopath Hmm

Lulu1027 · 16/04/2022 03:23

I'm in the US and it's common here for babies to be treated with helmets (aka cranial bands). My son was diagnosed with a moderate to severe case of brachycephaly/plagiocephaly at four months old and has been happily wearing the helmet for two months. His treatment is nearly finished and there is a major difference in the shape of his head. This condition is not dangerous and has become common since back sleeping is now recommended. Apparently, around 50% of babies in the US have some degree of head flatness. It often corrects itself when the baby sits upright or assumes more varied sleeping positions. If not, it's simple to address.

Lulu1027 · 16/04/2022 03:31

@ Letsbekindplease It sounds like you are describing torticollis? Was your baby ever diagnosed? My son also has torticollis, which the doctor has correlated to his brachycephaly/plagiocephaly. He is very strong and has good muscle control (so isn't suffering in any way) but the pediatrician has sent him to physical therapy to correct it.

Letsbekindplease · 16/04/2022 07:36

Yeah that’s the one. He wasn’t ever diagnosed but I am Pretty sure that’s what was the cause. Baby number 2 on the way and feel more prepared to look out the signs this time.

PlateSpinnerJuggler · 17/04/2022 07:38

My eldest daughter (now 11) had this - it was purely cosmetic but I went private helmet route - as it's non invasive but corrective.
Aheads4babies - check out online.
Very pleased I did - they do proper imaging and measure severity of flatness first and then advise.
I checked with my private paediatrician too.
One thing I'd say is get it checked now if want to consider this route as it can get to late in age as related to the growth curve and getting it done before it slows. Good luck X

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