Baby's Head | Mumsnet

zarzarzoom · 2023-03-27T00:22:29+00:00

My baby's head ( 11 month ) is almost at 98th percentile. Should I be worried? His development is fine, almost walking and fit and healthy.

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Groutyonehereagain · 27/03/2023 01:25

He sounds fine! What’s his weight like? Is the HV concerned?

Original poster

zarzarzoom · 27/03/2023 01:28

He weighs 22lbs. HV has suggested visiting the GP which we have done. GP said she's not concerned but took measure and will speak to paediatrics.

I'm worried sick, hence can't sleep and being on here.

OP posts:

thaegumathteth · 27/03/2023 01:37

Has it always been on that centile?

Both my kids were born off the charts head size wise. I also have a big head.

Original poster

zarzarzoom · 27/03/2023 01:42

thaegumathteth · 27/03/2023 01:37

Has it always been on that centile?

Both my kids were born off the charts head size wise. I also have a big head.

No, he was born on the 50th. When I had my scan his head was coming up large then. I queried it with sonographer and midwife but no one was concerned.

My husband's head circumference is 60cm. Mine is 56cm.

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Scramble1805 · 27/03/2023 01:44

It's often down to genetics. My DSs both have big heads, on 98th centile when newborn. One was around 50th centile for the rest of his size whereas the other was much bigger on 91st so he looked a bit more in proportion with his head.

Big heads on both sides of our family so not surprising.

Merrow · 27/03/2023 01:47

It's usually genetic, so if you or DP have a large head don't worry as that's the simple answer. DS has a large head and as we used a sperm donor we had no idea about head size on that side. He was referred to paediatrics and his development monitored. Probably saw a doctor about four times where they looked at how he was acting then told us to come back X number of weeks later. I eventually broke (I found it very stressful) and asked what they would do if they did have concerns. The answer was an ultrasound to check for fluid in the brain, so I pushed for us to get that and since that was clear he was discharged. He's 4 now and we still need to be careful about what jumpers to get as so many get stuck on his head!

Merrow · 27/03/2023 01:50

Oh - and head measurements are notoriously imprecise. DS was supposed to still be monitored after his discharge by the health visitors so I dutifully took him along, only for 3 different health visitors at the clinic to get 3 wildly differing results. That was the last time I got his head measured!

octoberfarm · 27/03/2023 02:58

My youngest also had a big head and we were referred on for additional tests/scans, which from what I gathered at the time was relatively common for babies of that age. Just wanted to post so you knew that from my own experience and that of friends, it can be absolutely fine. I remember at the time being so worried, but it ended I just being a precaution. Hoping it's the same for you, OP

Original poster

zarzarzoom · 27/03/2023 08:33

Thank you all for your replies and reassurance. Wish I could switch off this worrying. Tired this morning ... 😭

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Merrow · 27/03/2023 09:24

I think worrying is impossible to switch off really, but I would really be comforted that he's hitting all the developmental milestones.

SE3parent · 27/03/2023 09:39

Mine has a massive head, actually off the centile charts. Went to GP about something completely different, but he took one (unsettlingly concerned!) look at her and ended up referring her for a scan. As she was only a baby, this would have required her to be put under anaesthetic, and I thought that seemed risky so asked if we could wait and see. Nothing ever came of it. Still has big head (wears adult size hats at 6yo!) but somewhat in proportion and completely normal developmentally. (I have a 75th ish centile head so not small either)

Original poster

zarzarzoom · 27/03/2023 09:51

SE3parent · 27/03/2023 09:39

Mine has a massive head, actually off the centile charts. Went to GP about something completely different, but he took one (unsettlingly concerned!) look at her and ended up referring her for a scan. As she was only a baby, this would have required her to be put under anaesthetic, and I thought that seemed risky so asked if we could wait and see. Nothing ever came of it. Still has big head (wears adult size hats at 6yo!) but somewhat in proportion and completely normal developmentally. (I have a 75th ish centile head so not small either)

@SE3parent - sorry, did you end up having the scan later on? Do you know what age they can have without putting the under?

@Merrow thanks for pointing out the logic, my DH has said the same regarding the milestones, I'm not a logical person and I'm a terrible worrier.

He is doing well, other than this big head. He's a great sleeper, eats well, almost walking, hi fives and claps and says Dada.

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SE3parent · 27/03/2023 09:55

@zarzarzoom no, was referred to consultant, where I expressed my concerns about the scan. He was quite sensible and was happy with the wait and see approach, and since there were no other issues, I think we were eventually discharged after a couple of visits with a letter setting something charming like 'baby is well apart from her massive five head, but mother and father have not-insignificant heads too'. She is still a bit of a bobble-head, but in a quite endearing way.

Merrow · 27/03/2023 10:12

The scan my DS had didn't require anaesthetic - it was just an ultrasound and the main complication was keeping him still! Not sure if the different scan recommendations could be age related? I think DS was about 4 months.