Flat Head
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22989
Printed Date: 12 September 2025 at 2:40am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Flat Head
Posted By: FionaO
Subject: Flat Head
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 8:55am
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Ok, I really don't know what to make of this. At the end of last week I saw my plunket nurse for the first time and when she turned him over she said, oh he's a little flatty. I was not impressed as i have been given so many leaflets about avoiding it, anyway she said oh there is nothing you can do, the following day we were at the Dr and i asked her and she said its quite normal and there is nothing you can do. i am not overly worried, but having read the leaflets again, Finley spends lots of time on his tummy or being cuddled by us, and sleeps on his back, I have no hope putting his head one way or the other as he wiggles like crazy and is always in different places - do i need to worry or do more?
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Replies:
Posted By: fire_engine
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 9:32am
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I wouldn't worry too much - those throw away comments by health professionals can often be incredibly unhelpful! Daniel has a bit of flatness but like Fin, there's nothing we can do cos he moves his head like crazy when he's asleep. And when I feel my head, I have a slightly flat patch that's covered by hair, and I think most people probably do. You sound like you are doing everything right with the tummy time, cuddling ..... I don't know what more you could do. ------------- Mum to two wee boys |
Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 11:21am
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Thanks, it would have been nice if she had said that, or perhaps said nothing at all, I think you are right but you know how it is when people say these things. -------------
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Posted By: KiwiL
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 2:34pm
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Such throw away comments have such an affect on us mums, eh?
I saw my Plunket nurse today, and she said Jackson had a good head shape, but I can see he IS a little flat on the back. So that probably is completely normal, and to her that was good.... I think as long as you are not just leaving them on their backs all the time, then the head's will be fine. |
Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 7:01pm
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Most babies heads do seem to round out, but Jimmy's didn't. I was quite annoyed that they always said the same things to me ... don't worry, he'll grow out of it, ra ra ra ... until he was 8 months old when a GP (not our usual one) said "sorry, its too late - he's always going to have a flat head and there's nothing you can do now (as he was rolling on his own etc by then) .... but he'll have lots of friends with flat heads"... You can use a little wedge under their head to keep them tilted to one side, then change it a few hours later etc, but TBH I think you'd have to have used it from birth for them to accept it - but might be worth a try anyway? |
Posted By: FionaO
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 8:16am
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Thats what i'm worried about, that they say it will be fine and it won't. Kakapo is it really obvious? That sucks they said that to you -------------
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Posted By: Redbedrock
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 12:12pm
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I am not home at the mement so can't do the link thing but www.storktochalk.co.nz I think that's the address. They hire out some thing called the occiwedge, which is a pad you put over the mattress which moulds to the shape of the head and can reduce the pressure which causes the flat head. You can't buy them new anymore but i know someone on here bought one off trade me or hire them http://www.stork-to-chalk.co.nz/flathead.html - Occiblock
ETA link as I had time to find it, I didn't use this but have a friend whose son was very mishapen and seeing plastic surgeons re this and it helped it not get any worse ------------- http://www.babysfirstsite.com"> 
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Posted By: kakapo
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 11:21pm
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Well I think it still looks very obvious now, but probably because he still rubs his hair off that part of his head (rolls his head from side to side whenever he wakes up and is trying to go back to sleep). Actually gave him a #4 haircut a month or so back to even up his hair, but the rest of it has grown longer again now, highlighting the flat spot. One part is almost indented a bit IYGWIM We bought one of those Occi block things off Trade-Me but he was three months old by then and refused to sleep on it ... guess it would be weird to suddenly be strapped onto a wedge and asked to sleep on an angle when you're used to lying flat to go to sleep. |
fifi101 wrote:
.Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 10 December 2008 at 8:30am
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well my first has a flat head at the back like someone said lots of kids do now. How ever he will never have a really short haircut cause it will show. my second 2 are fine because i did the side sleep thin not much hlep to you now my wee girl is on here back now at 4 month's and so was Michael, but by then their head has already formed their shape if that makes scence. Like other's have said professional's need to be careful how they talk its not fair to make comment's like that without having any advice. ------------- Deborah Mum to:   
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Posted By: Samwise
Date Posted: 10 December 2008 at 6:03pm
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We went to Punket a week or so ago and the lady said "How do you feel about the shape of his head?...." which took me aback a little. Apparently he favours his left side so has a "bulge" on his right....... have been trying to get him to sleep facing the right since but to no avail.
So I guess you either have a baby with a flat head or one with an oblong kind of thing (which I never noticed before she mentioned it!!) like mine.... Either way they are all going to have hair to cover these "shapes" - until they possibly go bald or shave it off (perish the thought!!) - so I reckon don't worry about it I bet he's gorgeous just the way he is!!!  ------------- 
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