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Original poster

Flat head.

52 replies

NoTeaForMe · 27/01/2011 22:33

My baby is 14 weeks old and has a bit of a flat head. Will this sort itself out as she gets older? My husband googled it and found some terrible info! (for the record I told him not to google!!)

Please put our minds at rest?!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ImFab · 31/01/2011 20:03

My dd is 7 so it is longer than that since she had treatment. GP's don't have a lot of experience imo with plagiocephaly.

ArthurPewty · 31/01/2011 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 31/01/2011 20:51

So how do you know if it's plagiocephaly and not just a bit flat from lying on it?
Let me just clarify that my baby has a flat spot on the back of her head, her skull is not deformed like the children leonie has described.

OP posts:

ImFab · 31/01/2011 20:55

If you look down on top of your dd's head, what shape is it?

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 31/01/2011 20:58

It's just a bit flat on the back slightly to the right side, not sure how to describe it! What am I looking for?

OP posts:

ArthurPewty · 31/01/2011 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fifitot · 31/01/2011 21:18

Look not sure you are helping Leonie. My DS has a flat head and am hoping it will sort itself because if it doesn't I can't bloody afford £2grand to wear a helmet. Especially since there is debate over their effectiveness.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 31/01/2011 21:18

I've looked at the websites and they describe plagiocephaly as positional plagiocephaly and say about all the repositioning ways to treat it. The only time anything more severe is mentioned is if the skull has fused if the baby is over 7/9 months. Or am I missing something?

OP posts:

ArthurPewty · 31/01/2011 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fifitot · 31/01/2011 21:28

No Tea - don't be alarmed. Go back to your GP if concerned. There are things that can be worse than purely positonal plagiocephaly but these are very rare I think.

I found this thread as my DS has a flat head but I am finding myself irritated. I know people are trying to help but there is little a parent can do if the NHS is saying it's not a problem and you don't have the funds to go private. Just do the repositioning and hope it sorts itself - that is what I am trying to do.

fifitot · 31/01/2011 21:32

Yes but alof of the time Leonie the shape improves. I don't think it's because they spend too much time on their backs either. Some kids just more susceptible than others. My DS is certainly not on his back more than a new baby is meant to be.

What do you realistically expect people with children like this to do?

ArthurPewty · 31/01/2011 21:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fifitot · 31/01/2011 21:41

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of the helmets though.

I think it's agreed the repositioning is a good idea.

ArthurPewty · 31/01/2011 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ImFab · 01/02/2011 09:38

I initially decided we would teach our daughter to be confident in herself and ignore ignorant and rude comments. We then discovered her two problems were linked and we went straight to Harley Street as we knew we would get no support or treatment from the NHS.

Our daughter was late to wearing the helmet, and it was a very difficult decision to make, but DH wanted to know that what ever happened we had done everything we could for our child. Having the cast made was very distressing (due to her being so much older imo) but we have had no regrets at all.

DD responded so well to the helmet that even the Doctor was amazed and he wrote a paper on her.

The cost was very high but when it comes to our children we will always do what ever it took.

Our costs were repaid fro insurance though this was a unique case.

You have to make the decision for yourself but don't kid yourself it isn't a problem just because other people have been lucky and the head has rounded out.

ImFab · 01/02/2011 09:40

OP, if you take a photo of the top of the baby's head looking down on it I will be able to tell you if there is a problem imo. Don't forget though, I am not a doctor but a mother with experience of this.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 01/02/2011 09:50

What I don't understand is that plagiocephaly is described as positional plagiocephaly on the websites and there isn't much mention of wearing the helmets.

ImFab How will you know whether it's more serious or just flat from lying on it just from a photo?! I don't even know what you mean by "a problem" !

Leonie Are you suggesting that people should carry their children everywhere and wake through the night to change baby's position on the off chance that their baby might get a bit of a flat head that would will more than likely sort itself out by itself?

OP posts:

ImFab · 01/02/2011 09:53

Look, it is apparent to me that you don't believe this is an issue that can be treated so I will leave this thread now.

It makes no difference to me what you do. I was just trying to offer you the benefit of my experience.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 01/02/2011 09:58

ImFab I do think it can be treated, but I guess I just think it's a natural thing and now she's holding her head up more and sitting in her bumbo and going on her front it will sort itself out. I started the thread for other ideas such as the towel under the shoulder etc. I was surprsied by some of the comments which seemed to be a bit over the top in my opinion.

OP posts:

fifitot · 01/02/2011 10:10

Notea - I agree, talk of deformities doesn't help anyone. Though I appreciate they were trying to help.

I guess those who advocate the helmets are taking a very medicalised view of the situation. Alot of health professionals have told me it will sort itself out.

I suppose not going down the helmet route might be a risk but don't really want to put DS through it and really don't see how I can raise that sort of money even if I wanted to. Especially when I am told my GP and other medics that it is not really a problem and repositioning techniques will help.

I suppose I will just have to wait and see what happens.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 01/02/2011 10:20

Thanks fifitot, other than tummy time and bumbo what have you been doing? The towel under the shoulder-do you just roll up a towel to make the shoulder raise a bit so her weight is on the none flat side?! Her head control is quite good and she likes being held up like she's standing, can't wait to get the door bouncer out! Think she might need a bit more time before we can do that though!

OP posts:

fifitot · 01/02/2011 10:31

I have put a rolled up towel under the cot mattress so it has a slight slope which means DS doesn't roll onto the flat side.

I have used a pillow under his head when he has been lying on his baby play mat.

He sits on my knee alot and in the Bumbo and have tried to ensure his head is supported in the pram.

Also went to see a cranial oesteopath who did a few exercises with him but tbh not sure it helped that much.

DS is 6 months, the flatness hasn't got any worse but not sure yet if it has improved. Only time will tell.

ImFab · 01/02/2011 10:46

FWIW I was told there was no problem and the GP didn't even know DD had another serious medical problem. When I tried the rolled up towel DD ended up face down on it in the 2 minutes it took to go to the loo.