How to prevent baby's flat head?

[laura2109]

Hiya,

So as the title says....I've read about pillows, or even helmets used by some physicians for more 'severe' cases. However, none are recommended by the NHS, for pillows use it says that it goes against advice to prevent sudden death. As for helmets, some babies find them uncomfortable, as it has to be worn 22 or 23 hours per day for months. Other than encouraging baby to turn their head on the bulging side, there wasn't much advice. I remember my first born had a flat-ish side as a baby, which got better on its own without any sort of intervention. I'm not due until March 2021, but not sure why I'm suddenly concerned about that lol.... I just wanted your thoughts on the matter? Thanks

Your baby is unlikely to end up with a flat head unless it's been out down on their back a lot. Make sure you carry your baby safely in a sling and use tummy time (sling time is also tummy time!) and they will be fine. Just make sure that they are not constantly in their back/one side and there's nothing to worry about ❤️

Plenty of tummy time and trying to turn my daughter's head as she had a favourite side when sleeping. She's never had a problem with head shape and it's perfectly round at 11 months! I wouldn't over think it OP, just make sure baby isn't constantly laid on a certain part of their head

Plenty of supervised tummy time should solve anything like that

My dd had loads of tummy time and was hardly ever down because she never liked to be down. She still had a noticeable flat head. She's two now and it's definitely rounded. I can't notice it anymore not sure if her hair hides what left of it. What I found did help was a clever mama pillow. I put the pillow under the mattress cover and under a waterproof mattress protector. The pillow never moved and I did not feel it was a safety issue. I also used the pillow when in her carrycot, obviously only when I was observing. And later bought a clever mam mattress for her travel cot. I'm expecting my second dc and I'm definately going to buy either the cot mattress for moses basket or the pillow again. I felt so terrible guilty with dd, that I didn't know that there were items you can purchase to help prevent and reduce the impact.