Flat head

[ImmyJ36]

Hi, wondering if anyone else out there also struggling with their baby’s head shape.
Our son is 6 weeks old and at about 3 weeks noticed that the back of his head was flat on one side! It looks quite odd especially when we hold him upright. He hates being put down so during the day he is in a carrier a lot of the time and his position is always changed. I’m turning his head to the opposite side when i wake up in the night and keeping him off his back as much as possible when he’s awake! and I’ve even had him checked at GP but they fobbed me off and told me ‘when his hair grows you won’t notice it’. Doing everything i can but doesn’t seem to be getting any better. I’ve looked at helmet therapy online but believe you have to go private if you want to be seen quickly?

from the photo how bad is it?!
would be grateful for any advice!
TIA x

Hi just want to give you some reassurance from someone 16 years down the line.

My son’s head was like this, probably more pronounced than your baby’s. I was so stressed, looked into get a helmet and convinced he’d had to have long hair all his life to cover it! Anyway it’s fine. As he grew it sorted itself out. Perfectly normal shaped head, now sporting a buzz cut and no sign of any flat areas.

We did as you are doing, using a sling, keeping him upright when possible and lots of tummy time when he is old enough. Some people swear by a trip to the chiropractor- much cheaper than the helmet.

Helmets aren’t recommended now. If he can move his head freely to look to both the left and right and isn't restricted in his movement the flatness will likely resolve itself in time. If there are any signs of restricted movement (can't look in one direction, a visible lump of muscle in his neck, can't feed well on one side, has a head tilt etc.) then physio might be needed.