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Original poster

Is my babies head too flat

34 replies

mondray · 28/10/2021 15:03

I've got an appointment for his 16 week weigh in/vaccination next week so will check then.

But was just wondering if anyone has experience with this?
Should I worry?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Wnikat · 28/10/2021 15:04

One of mine has a head like this. He's perfectly normal as far as I can tell.

Santastuckincustoms · 28/10/2021 15:07

What kind of delivery was it?

It does look flat. I would recommend a mimos pillow, it sorted my DS head out but also physiotherapy as he has torticollis.

financialadvicenc · 28/10/2021 15:08

Ask your health visitor

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Original poster

mondray · 28/10/2021 15:11

@Santastuckincustoms it was a c section and was fine at birth. It seemed to have developed since than and I think it might be due to laying on his back too much.

Will definitely recommend a health care professional as for appointment for next week.

But was just wondering if there's anything I can do until then. Would a pillow help? How about night time? Would that not be a sids risk?

OP posts:

BertieBotts · 28/10/2021 15:12

My third baby had a bit of a lopsided head on one side. It's because we're bedsharing so he has to be on one side of me and then when I sit and hold him I tend towards my left arm in order to leave my right arm free. So I just try to place him down facing the opposite way whenever possible to try and counteract that. It seems to be working as he is now 10 weeks and his head looks much more symmetrical.

The advice is to avoid pillows, even the special positioning pillows, as they are a suffocation hazard. But you can reduce it by offering lots of tummy time, carrying upright in a sling, and varying the way he's laid down so he has the opportunity to put his head to either side, not just one. Minimise time in any sort of device (car seat, buggy, swing etc) where he is lying flat and particularly if he can't put his head to the side.

financialadvicenc · 28/10/2021 15:12

You need to follow all safe sleep guidance until he is atleast 12 months. No pillows.

He needs more tummy time and time sat up.

BertieBotts · 28/10/2021 15:14

He was always lying on that same side, his head was a (very slightly) D shape when you looked at it. Of course not that severe! But flatter on the one side.

At 16 weeks a Bumbo chair or similar may be another way to avoid him lying flat if you need to put him down at times.

Santastuckincustoms · 28/10/2021 15:15

The mimos pillow isn't a positioning pillow like a nest or anything it's a breathable pillow, but yes it's technically outside of guidelines. I felt comfortable with the risk of it though as my son was starting to develop poor control of his back too. The physio was the best thing though so is recommend that.

BertieBotts · 28/10/2021 15:21

It's a pillow marketed as being designed to help flat head syndrome isn't it? So yes that's what I meant by a positioning pillow.

converseandjeans · 28/10/2021 15:32

DS had a head like this & it's fine now. We used to put him on tummy as much as possible & also tried to stop his head rolling onto flat part as much as possible. It's difficult as you can't use pillows. I think we maybe used a rolled up towel occasionally during the day when he was awake.

BookFiend4Life · 28/10/2021 15:36

I think his head is beautiful, lots of tummy time should help. Helmet therapy is a bit of a nightmare and I wouldn't recommend it unless the Dr thinks it's really necessary.

Original poster

mondray · 28/10/2021 15:37

Thank you all for the advice. I really appreciate it.

As mentioned we are definitely going to see a health care professional. But just wanted to see if there is anything I can do until then.

I guess what I'm most worried about is nighttime. He's a very good sleeper and can easily do 11-12 hours at night. Any advice what to do then? Due to sids I obviously can't lay him on his from, but it's an awful long part of the time where I'm unable to control how he's laying.

OP posts:

dunkaccino · 28/10/2021 15:40

Does he lie flat in the day time or is he in a rocker/chair/car seat/pushchair or anything other than a totally flat mattress? A flat mattress should allow him to move his head from one side to the other, or you can do it for him.

Kitkat151 · 28/10/2021 15:42

Ask your GP for a referral to the plagiocephaly clinic in your children’s hospital.... they are the experts

AnnaBegins · 28/10/2021 15:45

Try a sling rather than a pushchair in the daytime. And lots of tummy time. Hopefully lots of small improvements will help.

Original poster

mondray · 28/10/2021 15:46

@dunkaccino during the day he is mostly in a bouncer or on a flat mattress when having naps.
He is not a fan of tummy time at all. Lasts for max 5 minutes and he's screaming his head off.

OP posts:

Opalfeet · 28/10/2021 15:47

I was paranoid about mine having a flathead...he actually didn't, but I carried him everywhere in a sling and when I breast fed I'd like down on my back with him laid on top of me so he had tummy time whilst b feeding.

Opalfeet · 28/10/2021 15:48

@mondray neither of mine liked tummy time, but what about having naps and snuggles with you but on his tummy?

TheBestForLast · 28/10/2021 15:48

Both mine was like this and it's just because they are on there back most of the time. He is gorgeous by the way!!

Opalfeet · 28/10/2021 15:50

I also bought a special mattress, it wasn't that special..was just a cleva mamma memory foam one but said it helped flat head. No idea if it did or not but I spose the fact it has some give maybe helps? Anyhow, the mattress was really comfy anyway and my second son now uses it so we got our money's worth

Original poster

mondray · 28/10/2021 15:56

@Opalfeet I try and would love to but I have 3 year old who constantly needs my attention as well.

OP posts:

bloodywhitecat · 28/10/2021 16:01

Just to offer some reassurance, my little one had a head like this as he has a brain injury which led to low muscle tone meaning tummy time/more sitting were very difficult for him. He is now 18 months old, mobile and able to roll and his head shape has returned to a much more normal shape.

dunkaccino · 28/10/2021 16:04

I'd stop using the bouncer if I was you - the curved back holds their head in one position more than the flat mattress will. Can you use a soft wrap type of sling sometimes to ease pressure on his head?

He's only little (and lovely) so plenty of time for it to change if you keep an eye on it. Will he lie with his head on the side when flat? You could very slight tilt the whole cot/mattress to encourage it during daytime nap times when you're around to keep an eye on him.

IHateCoronavirus · 28/10/2021 16:42

When he is awake balance out the time spent sleeping on his back with little bursts of tummy time, the tiger hold, being carried in a sling etc.
Tummy time is not only important for gross motor control but for building up the close eye coordination needed later for reading.

Margotshypotheticaldog · 28/10/2021 16:45

Highly recommend carrying in a sling during the day. Both of mine hated tummy time but they were doing little baby push ups all day in the sling (when they weren't sleeping in it)

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