Flat head syndrome

[Laura1990111]

So my baby has a flattened head on one side as he prefers to sleep on that side. I've been to the doctors and they said it is mild and will correct itself. I'm a new mom so feel awful that I didn't know about it. Just thought he found it more comfortable on that side! Didn't know you were meant to reposition their heads!
However even though the doctor said it will be fine I can't help worrying about it. In your honest opinions do you think it's bad? Would you have noticed it if I hadn't said anything?

My son had this, I was so so worried at the time! Can’t tell at all now. He struggled to hold his head for a long time so think that was connected, but no issues now at three.

Does he sleep with his face towards you? If so, flip him around so his head is where his feet currently are and he'll lie on the other side of his head in order to face you.

My son had this much worse than yours; I don’t think I’d notice yours. I found the GP and health visitor quite useless about it to be honest as they said it’s just cosmetic. We took our DS to a chiropractor to help loosen up his neck and give him a better range of movement as it was becoming obvious that he struggled to turn his head the other way very easily. With a mixture of that, tummy time, him learning to roll so spending a lot of time on his tummy and then starting to sleep on his front it’s got a lot better.
I felt awful as now when I look at photos I can see that he was favouring one side but at the time I didn’t notice for ages. I’ve got an older DD and with neither baby was I told to watch out for it.

There are lots of past threads about this issue if you search. They rarely use the helmets now to correct this, so I assume your GP didn't mention it or refer as didn't think it was too bad. What does your HV think?

At least you can keep an eye on it from now on. I worked with a guy that had such a flat head, he could balance a beer on the back! It was his 'party trick', but equally the butt of flat head jokes! His was far more obviously flat compared to your baby though.

So do you guys think it's massively noticeable if I hadn't said anything?

Dr said he thinks it's mild. Haven't spoken to health visitor about it. She's hardly in contact us. I've seen her once.
I have looked into helmets but didn't know if it was had enough. He sleeps on his back as its the safest, I alternate his sleeping position in the crib and then he's not on his back at all in the day. But just feel like it's getting worse.

Where does he nap during the day? Does he spend a lot of time in the pram? Could you switch to babywearing?

It does happen so quickly, it's like it just appears all of a sudden and then takes longer to resolve. But it does resolve. Very few children will start school with a flat head.

I wouldn’t have noticed at all. It will be covered in hair soon enough, I don’t think you need to worry about this.

Put him on his tummy as much as possible when he is awake. Babies were never meant to lie tummy up for months as we make them do these days. If you are around they are safe (and will become more mobile sooner) 🙂

I had the same exact problem with my firstborn and I really wish it was spoken about more as when it’s happened it’s happened if you know what I mean! My son is now 13 and it did correct itself but only because we kept a close eye on it after it had been noticed and kept mixing up positions. Could you use a sling sometimes? I never had this problem with my second child because I was breastfeeding. Not forcing that on you but when you breastfeed you constantly change position/breast and I do think that’s a help.

Judging by your pictures I wouldn’t say it’s a bad case at all, couldn’t really tell. Good luck!

Thanks for your replies. I baby wear alot in the day and he sleeps in it during the day. I think it may be from sleeping at night and then from the bouncer chair but I stopped the chair. I did breastfeed but had to stop due to low supply so I now bottle feed.
I'm so careful now but still feel like it's getting worse.
My husband said I'm being silly and friends and family said they couldn't notice but don't know whether they are just saying that so they don't hurt my feelings

He absolutely hates tummy time. Always has. He won't nap on his tummy either so I just baby wear. He rarely goes in his pram

That is very mild. My little one's was much more noticeable but even now, at 12 months, his is evening out. Try not to worry.

That is a mild case.

Look here for some reassuring practical advice

It’s really mild, even looking for it I can hardly tell.

Persevere with tummy time. As he gets stronger he will hate it less. You can do a couple of minutes at a time several times throughout the day so it’s not overwhelming but still helps him build up his strength.

Well, if you want him to crawl he needs to do tummy time. I understand however he will see no need for that if he is being carried around all the time 🙂

Well, if you want him to crawl he needs to do tummy time

Not true. Some babies never do much tummy time either because they genuinely cannot tolerate it or the parents are not educated about it.

Not doing tummy time increases the risk of plagiocephaly but generally, no other developmental issues present, it does not hold babies back.

@KarmaNoMore

Well, if you want him to crawl he needs to do tummy time. I understand however he will see no need for that if he is being carried around all the time 🙂

My health visitor told me that sling time counts as tummy time.