Flat Head Syndrom

[FashionMommy]

I posted this topic on another thread but I can see more active mums here so hope it's ok to ask.
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 helmet? Is it possible to get it free through NHS or do I need to pay for it? How long does the treatment last? Thank you.

My 6 month old ds has this and Dr advised against helmet or any treatments as they aren't proven and it will sort itself out. Like you I worry as he is in his cot for 12 hours at night and naps during the day BUT now he's getting older he is spending the majority of his waking hours sitting up or rolling and I have started to notice a small improvement so hoping it will fully correct itself eventually.

Our dd had a flat head, on one side (so looking from the top 1 ear was an inch further forward than the other). We read that there was 75% chance it would sort itself out. As it was showing in her face (with one cheek more forward than the other as well) we didn't want to have 25% chance that it would not sort itself out.

NHS didn't pay for it (this was 2010, so maybe things have changed?) , and we decided to go private. Treatment started when she was 4,5 months and lasted until she was 9 months (if I remember correctly). We were told then that treatment needed to start before 12 months, and the earlier the better.

In many other countries it is common practise to offer helmets, and literature can be found to support the use of helmets and also to say that they make no difference...very confusing, we found at the time.
However, we saw vast improvements of dds head shape during the treatment and am glad we decided to go ahead with it.
We'll never know if it would have corrected itself over the years though.