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=34182
Printed Date: 09 August 2025 at 9:19am
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Topic: Flat Head
Posted By: Lightning McQueen
Subject: Flat Head
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 1:12pm
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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! |
Replies:
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 2:23pm
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I am going through this problem atm too, I've been told until their faces start changing shape it's not a problem (like forehead and eyes changing), but to me by then wouldn't it be too late?
I am considering a sleep wedge but uncertain as dd will only sleep swaddled... Was told to turn her head in her sleep but she turns it back or stiffens so you can't... ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 2:40pm
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: monkey33
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 2:48pm
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Oh I forgot to mention that the physio lady actually worked at the flat head clinic and has had years & years of experience in this department. She also promised me it would get better here on in as he is spending so much time off it - but to not expect results straight away.
She then also said Plunket should have referred us straight to physio for his neck and we could have bypassed GP, Starship and had it fixed a long time before - grrr!!! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: NikkiB
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 3:31pm
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  ------------- A very lucky mummy to two gorgeous boys: RB 3/10/2008 JB 29/12/2009 |
Posted By: HuntersMama
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 8:16pm
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DS had a very flat part kind of on the side of his head. Now he is more mobile it has evened out alot as he sleeps with his head on either side or in the middle. I found it impossible to try and get him to sleep on a certain side, even with a sleep wedge. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: luvmylittlies
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 8:51pm
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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. ------------- Adoring Mum to Talisin 8/9/11 and Kiara 18/01/10 |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 10:01pm
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Bella had quite a noticable flat spot on the side of her head, as she favoured that side.
I just kept putting a rolled up cloth nappy or something next to her head to try and keep it a different way for each sleep. She is nearly 10 months now and no flat spot anymore ------------- |
Posted By: High9
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 10:11pm
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I tried the cloth nappy with Lily too but she'd wriggle until she got to her 'comfy position' lol ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 21 June 2010 at 11:24pm
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Jackson favoured one side as well. I tried rolling up towels to encourage him to sleep on the other side but it never really worked, he'd just end up back on the same side.
We took him to Osteo in the end and that worked a treat to loosen his neck up and he loved the massage too ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: Lightning McQueen
Date Posted: 22 June 2010 at 6:43pm
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 
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Posted By: arohanui
Date Posted: 22 June 2010 at 7:39pm
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check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Safe-T-Sleep/242003331619?ref=ts - safe t sleep on FB - a lady posted on the wall about how they sorted out her baby's flat head. There's also a comp in the discussions tab to win a safe t sleep and head wedge ------------- Mama to DS1 (5 years), DS2 (3 years) and... http://alterna-tickers.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: KGB2010
Date Posted: 23 June 2010 at 6:36pm
| 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. |