Flat-head syndrome

Priscilla - posted on 03/25/2010

i took wash clothes when he was in his car seat and put them on each side tucking them in to make his head stay on the back of it.... it works

May Ling - posted on 03/25/2010

It's been 8mths since u posted this, hope your son's head is rounded out nicely? My son is having the same problem now and I'm wondering what has worked for yours... Do share.

Jessica - posted on 03/06/2010

Most all babies HATE tummy time; however, it's very important they get it and not only so their heads aren't flat. The need to be on their belly to be able to develop the muscles to be able to crawl and later walk. Our friend didn't give their child any tummy time whatsoever and he didn't walk until he was 2 years old. I propped my newborn son on a nursing pillow in the floor so he could still be able to see things and played with him while hew as in the floor to keep him happy. You could try rolling a blanket and putting it under the mattress to angle or lift one way or the other and then roll blankets and position him in the way you want him to sleep. Also try putting him in a walker for 30 min. or so off and on throughout the day. My son loved his play center as well so we rotated things to keep him interested. We'd even sit him in the nursing pillow and prop him up so he was sitting to keep things from getting boring for him. Good luck. If things aren't working call your Dr.'s office and see what the recommend.

Emily - posted on 03/05/2010

I'm not sure about the nighttime issue... but during the day, as much as possible keep him out of things that cause him to lie flat, such as swings and bouncers. Get a good baby carrier that you can carry him in to keep his head upright so it won't be flat against anything on the back.

Shodi - posted on 03/05/2010

Hello, My so was born prematurely and his head was flatter on the right side then became more flat on the back as well, the Dr. told me the same thing turn him,change his position and such but it wasn't showing results.By the time he was around 6 months old it looked terrible at the time I was only worried about how it looked, and how it would affect him as he grew older. The Dr. felt the same and just kept telling me it was cosmetic and not to worry about it. So, finally I started reading about different options and realized that it was not only a cosmetic concern but could cause irreversable damage if it was too extreme and not corrected before the skull (soft spot) actually fused together. I got the info I needed and flat demanded a referral from the Dr. because since we had Medicaid I couldnt go to a specialist without it. Long story short we saw a specialized Pediatric Neurologist and Neurosurgeon and after it was decided that it was a medical concern and he was diagnosed with Positional Plagiocephaly and not just cosmetic we were referred to a specialized prostetics center and we went through the process of getting a helmet made. Not to frighten anyone but just let people know, had I not followed my instincts and went above what the Dr. said, my son could have had a far worse problem than being looked at funny for wearing a helmet. The treatment is recommended to start by or before 6 months because it does take time for the casting and making of the helmet and since the skull starts hardening at 12-24 months if it is serious and is not treated the treaments would not be as easy as a heImet or band but if the skull does fuse together it causes a restrictive area for the brain to grow and reconstructive cranial surgery could be required. I only know the facts of my own situation but I know that my son did not get his helmet untill he was almost 9 months old and as it was effective enough medically and made a significant defference in the shape of his head, my cosmetic concerns were not unfounded either, since he was older when we got the helmet he could not wear it as long as most are recommended and he is now 8 it is noticeable still especially if his hair is cut short,hence no short haircuts, kids are cruel and they do not need ammunition.I have been a member of circle of moms for a while but this is the first time I have ever written, I really didnt know what all the site offered, but now I will visit often and am excited to know how many discussions and groups there are. I have a daughter that is 2 who is being evaluated for Autism and I would love to talk to others about it. The website http://www.cappskids.org/PlagioFAQ.htm Tells all about the different conditions and about the treatments and different options and has a link you can click that shows the casting process. This site below also has alot of info as well as pic of a helmet like my son wore and can give an idea of what it is. http://baby-oh-baby.blogspot.com/2007/03... I hope this was helpfull.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/14/2009

our little one doesn't like tummy time either (she's 6 weeks old) - at least if she's on the floor - and she also resists our attempts to have good head positions when she sleeps.

our baby health professional said that any time *not* spent on her back/side counts as tummy time - e.g. lying on her belly on me or her dad (with us either lying flat, or sitting, or leaning back, depending on her mood), or being held upright (she likes pushing away and holding her head up to look at us when we do this) etc. we were told to just make sure she gets lots of 'not on her back time' when she's awake.

Jennifer - posted on 07/21/2009

i have the same question up! i know exacatly how you feel! my son wont turn his either! ive tried everything! i am tring to do neck streches by turning his head to the opposite side and gently pushing down. he doesnt really like it to much, but i gotta do something! i dont want him to have to wear a helmet! let me know what progress you making! we can swap notes!

Becky - posted on 07/20/2009

my sons head was really flat at the right hand side, he used to do the same thing always lay to one side (his right). It took ages but i started noticing an improvement when he could lift his own head. He is now 17 months old and his head is perfefct. My GP told me to take him to our health visitor on a regular basis to make sure his head was growing correctly, it was so that stopped me worrying!

Lynlee - posted on 07/17/2009

You need to go in once he has fallen asleep and just gently turn his head the other way. That's how we prevented our son's head from becoming flat - he also had a favourite side but I would turn it and eventually he became used to both sides. Also keep doing tummy time. When he is awake during the day and laying on the floor, place a cushion behind his back so he is lying on his side - that will also help.

Amanda - posted on 07/17/2009

my son is now almost 13 months but he had a flat spot on the back of his head, and no matter how hard i tried to rotate him he would lay on the flat spot, i seen a specialist who gave me exercises to do besides tummy time as he had some stiff muscles on one side of his neck, they also suggested a special helmet to help the flat spot grow out, thankfully he didn't need the helmet as the exercises helped and now there is no flat spot at all, so i would suggest that you ask the doctor about exercises, hope this helps you some, i understand how worrisome it can be

Samantha - posted on 07/17/2009

My daughter had a really flat head people would always comment on it I talked to the doctor and he told me more tummy time. As much as she hated it I persisted with it and soon enough her head started too round again. She is now all most walking and her head is perfect again!

Sherry - posted on 07/16/2009

I put my daughter so that one night her head was at the top of her bed, then the next night I would rotate so her head is where her feet were the night before. She is always facing the same direction ( she likes to face the wall), but I get to rotate her head. I hope that helps.