flat head

Hi Everyone.

my girls are 3.5 months and one of them has developed flat head. I'm not really surprised. Even though we do do tummy time, she is on her back a lot and loves to sleep head straight up. Has anyone had to deal with this? Does it correct itself once they start to roll over more? Mu pedi is aware of it, but has not expressed concern.

 

Alot of times it will correct itself. As long as it is 'just' flattening in the back and the pedi is not concerned then I wouldn't worry too much. If you notice any facial asymmetry then I would pursue it a little more deeply. If you you sit her in your lap and you look straight down on her head and draw a line from one ear to the other, is the line straight? If you hold her up to a mirror and look at her features, are her eyes straight-mouth straight? If the answers are all yes and like I said, the ped isn't overly concerned about the degree of flattening then I wouldn't be too concerned. If any of these answers are no then I would ask your ped for a recommendation to see a specialist. What you will want to know is the difference between the roundest part and flattest part of her head. If no action is necessary then you will have peace of mind that all is well and if action is necessary then you can decide how to proceed.

 

You got some great advice already!

I was very concerned about my DD's head as well. We made a little "donut" for her to sleep on out of a receiving blanket so her head is not pushed against the crib while she sleeps. It has really started to round out already.

 

Both my girls had the same problem, pediatrician didn't seem too concerned so I went to see a specialist and because I bought the girls to see him at 4.5 months they woun't have to wear helmets to correct their flat heads, we have to take the girls tfor therapy once a week and do alot of tummy time and no bouncy chairs and limit their time sitting in car seats you can actually buy a head support especially for flat head syndrome for their car seats at baby r us, I am glad I took them to see a specialist thanks to a friend who went through the same thing..good luck

 

My oldest DD had it and our ped sent us to a physical therapist. She showed me different ways to position her with rolled up towels to keep her off the flat part. Definitely easier said than done though since babies move all the time. Both of the twins have a flat spot also so we are doing tummy time plus I switch which end of the crib they sleep in.

 

Thanks everyone. What kind of specialist would I bring them to? I just want to try to locate someone within my healthcare plan.

Thanks again.

 

I would talk to your ped, they probably have a recommendation. As odd as it may sound, we went to a plastic surgeon. He was the best at our Children's Hospital, his title meant nothing to me. Sometimes people see a neurosurgeon sometimes a cranial tech. I would definitely ask your doc for a reference.

 

QUOTE(Dianne @ Jun 22 2007, 10:39 AM) [snapback]303013[/snapback]
I would talk to your ped, they probably have a recommendation. As odd as it may sound, we went to a plastic surgeon. He was the best at our Children's Hospital, his title meant nothing to me. Sometimes people see a neurosurgeon sometimes a cranial tech. I would definitely ask your doc for a reference.

We took ours to a plastic surgeon, at children's memorial hospital(Chicago), I think it's always good to get a second opinion, one of my girls you really can't notice it but at therapy(evaluation) they noticed she was alot stonger using her muscles on the left and the opposite for the other twin so they will work on that..She did say alot of the time this is overlooked by the peditrician...Good luck..