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01-08-2013 at 8:26 PM
BabySmiles...
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BabySmiles31 is not online. Last active: 01-26-2013, 5:54 PMNewbie

STM Question: Flat Head Paranoia!

I am paranoid that my 10 week old is going to get a flat head... my niece was born with a misshapen head, and then her parents were so freaked out about SIDS that they wouldn't even do supervised tummy time. She ended up with a helmet, and still to this day has a misshapen nugget that looks pretty funky. I give my baby lots of tummy time, hold him bunches, and try to take the pressure off his head whenever possible. But with him laying on his back to sleep at night, some naps in his swing (if I can keep close I let him nap on his stomach), and rides in the carseat, I'm afraid his head is getting flat back there! Do all babies go through a little head flatness and then round out again when they are able to support it better? I am so afraid of his head being permanently misshapen like my niece. Any advice/reassurance would be much appreciated!! :)

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01-08-2013 at 8:45 PM
laura1
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laura1 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 1:44 PMSilver
I think it depends on the kid.  My DS has a tiny flat spot on his head - like so small, only I notice it when I run my hand on his head in certain area.  But he was a kid that loved to be held, and was a terrible sleeper.  He was always moving, so never had the opportunity to get any flat area.  My DD on the other hand, was a fabulous sleeper - and she would sleep 12 straight hours without moving her head.  She definitely has a much bigger flat spot right in the back of her head.  I bought a Boppy Noggin Nest for her when she was in the bouncy seat/car seat/stroller which helped a little (she never got a helmet), and whenever we went to a store or out and about, I would take her out of her car seat and wear her, but she still has the flat area at age 2.5.  Again, people only notice it when I point it out or you run your hand over her head, but hers is much worse than DS's tiny flat spot.  DD#2 is always being held or carried in the Ergo or sling, and moves her head around when she is sleeping.  I am hopeful that her head will be nice and round!!

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01-08-2013 at 8:46 PM
ilenegrace
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ilenegrace is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 2:40 AMSilver
DS had a flat head for a few months but we worked on neck stretches the pedi gave us and its round and we have had no issues. We were able to avoid the helmet by being diligent with the stretches and changing the direction his head faced when he slept. My pedi said only in severe cases are their heads permanently misshaped. Good luck!

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01-08-2013 at 9:41 PM
Kemare20
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Kemare20 is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 11:16 PMBronze

My DS is 4 mos and didn't get any flat spots. I assume we are out of the woods since he is now rolling and putting himself to sleep on his tummy. We just tried to do as much tummy time as he would tolerate and I wore him/carried him a lot as well. He never liked the swing so he was never in it much (usually just when I showered)

Just do your best to keep him off the back of his head for reasonable amounts during the day. Also remember he does need time on his back to learn his reaching/batting skills. (Though I guess you could do this with him sitting on your lap too... I didn't. I let me play on his back)


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01-09-2013 at 4:25 AM
GigiFairy
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GigiFairy is not online. Last active: 05-14-2013, 2:43 PMBronze
DS#1 had torticollis and had a small flat area, as pp said, the pedi recommended neck exercises to avoid a flat head issue, and we managed fine. But I totally feel you, with this one I am totally paranoid about the flat head..

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01-09-2013 at 10:25 AM
itsmevkb
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Milwaukee, WI
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itsmevkb is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 11:02 AMGold

Does your baby turn his head both ways? If so, chances are he won't get a significant flat spot.  The problem typically happens as a result of torticollis, which is when the baby has muscles issues in the shoulders and neck and it's painful for them to turn their heads one way or the other.  With my third baby, he would only turn his head to his right and even after physical therapy and daily stretching exercises he wasn't making enough progress so he ended up with a helmet.

So, keep an eye on which side your baby has a preference for, if he has a preference at all, and then just turn his head the other way half the time.  Your pedi also checks for torticollis so they would say something if they thought there was a problem.


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01-10-2013 at 5:10 PM
BLPL101
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BLPL101 is not online. Last active: 05-25-2013, 9:42 AMSilver
I worry about this daily! Glad I'm not the only one!

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