Flat Head

Hi

My 3 month old son has a flat spot on the back of his head. It’s very noticeable, but my Plunket Nurse doesn’t seem worried (she said it was just the shape of his head). I asked my Doctor when he went in for his checkup, and she said that she had seen worse and that it would probably come right (although she also admitted it wasn’t her area of expertise).

I’ve started to sleep him on his side with a wedge for his day sleeps, and am keeping him off his back as much as I can, and when he’s on his back I’m trying to get him to turn to the sides (the flat spot is at the top of his head in the middle).

What I would like to do is get a second opinion (even if just to put my mind at rest), because I would hate for it not to “just come right”, and then wonder if I could have done more.

I live in Auckland – can anyone recommend somewhere I can go to get a second opinion (I’m happy to pay)? Also, in your experience do these things tend to fix themselves when they begin to spend more time upright and less time on their backs?

Thanks!

My DS has had Torticollis (tightening of the neck muscles) - he would only sleep one way and as he slept through from an early age it didn't take long to do some damage to his head. His flat head is quite noticeable (it is flattening to the back side of his head) - his cheek and right ear are slightly pushed forward but no-one seems to notice until I mention it.

I asked Plunket about it and they recommended to go to my GP as it was not just the flat head I was concerned about (he was starting to look more one way all the time, not just when asleep). After 8 weeks of going to the GP twice, we finally got an appointment at Starship in Greenlane (the Dr had contacted Starship but they insisted on waiting to see if it improved on it's own). The doctor we saw there was very knowledgeable when it came to flat head & torticollis. They used to have a 'flat head' clinic there however it was shut down due to the fact that studies were done in NZ and it was found that there was nothing you could actually do to change the shape of the head apart once the damage was done, aside from waiting it out and ensuring they spend as much time off the flat spot as possible to relieve the pressure.   It apparantely definitely does get better as the skull is still forming, however it can apparantely take up to 1-2 years of age to see alot of change depending on how 'flat' the area is. She was quite honest and said that my DS' head will improve, however he may always have a slightly flat side. There are helmets that they use in the US (and they used too use here) that babies wear 23 hours a day (only taken off for a bath) - so mean! And the studies that some professionals in NZ did showed that the helmets did not actually change the shape of the head - it was just the skull reforming on it's own - therefore the clinic in Greenlane was no longer required.

Due to DS' torticollis we were referred for physio and after a few sessions aswell as hours of our hard work at home, his neck is 100%. I don't feel his flat head is getting any worse as he is spending so much more time off it these days.

Tummy time was a fantastic way to keep DS off his back in the earlier days. We bottle feed too so we made sure that we alternated the arms we fed in (as his head rests on our arms on the flat spot). We also used a sleep wedge for his day sleeps - I was just too nervous to use it at night - not sure why.

I know how you feel though - it is frustrating to be told that 'it will all be fine' when you see that your babies head is changing shape. I was so concerned and spent so much time consulting Dr Google (not always a good idea!) but over time, I feel much better about it. Especially after hearing many a story of people who say their babies heads were flat and you would have no idea now

If you are really concerned, pop along to your GP and see if they will refer to Starship in Greenlane.

Edited by monkey33

My DS2 was a prem baby and had the most shocking head shape from only being able to lie on his sides. Thankfully a wonderful nurse suggested we use an IV Fluid bag as a pillow (some of the fluid was taken out). He still uses it now and has a really good shaped head. Just thought I'd share that with you, as its something so out there and it works

Kiara used to only sleep on one side so was ending up with a flat head on one side. The Paed told us that once they start sitting (and spending less time on their head) the flat bits start to sort themselves out because the bones in their head are all still forming and moving around. He did say it takes a while though.

I tried the cloth nappy with Lily too but she'd wriggle until she got to her 'comfy position' lol

Thanks for your replies. It's definitely put my mind at rest, so I'll step away from the computer and stop consulting Dr Google

my friend has a 9 mth DS with the worst flat head I have ever seen. My friend never mentions it, but it is so flat that his entire forhead is pushed forward and up. His head is very out of proportion and my friend is just ignoring it. I feel very sorry for her son as he grows as I am sure he will be teased and she is doing nothing to help it. Everyone comments on it because it is so bad.