Flat spot on head

One of my girls (9 weeks old) has a flat spot on the the back right half of her head (she likes to sleep with her head turned to the right) and now it's starting to be more prominent
I've started feeding her in the opposite arm (so she's laying on the more round part and not putting anymore pressure on the flat spot) and at nap time/bedtime I've been putting her in one of those wedge things on her side but EVERY time I go in to check on her... she has turned her head to the right again and I'm not sure what else I can do.
So here's my question:
Anyone have any other suggestions on what I can do? I obviously don't want to have her sleep on her tummy for fear of SIDS but I don't want it to get any worse... also - when do you know your child needs to wear a helmet???

 

Both my kids now have a flat head, but my ped. said that it will go away as soon as they start sitting up more (ie. in the bumbos and exersaucers). I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

Definitely watch it. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. We got a Boppy Noggin Nest to use in the papasan chairs. If it seems severe to you, go to a cranofacial specialist before she's 6 months old. It may round out on its own, but it may not. My little Annelise is being fitted for a helmet on the 21st.

I'm in a rush, but I'll try to come back later to give you a few more ideas. Others may have some more thoughts for you too.

 

The one suggestion that worked for us is we put a mirror on the outside of her crib so if she turned off of her developing fat spot, she could see the baby in the mirror. She loved looking at herself. And her flat spot did go away once she could sit up.

 

I rolled up a receiving blanket and put it behind her for everything, in the crib, in the swing, on the floor, within 2 months she was not favoring that side and the flatspot was almost gone. It was tough but I stayed on it because I didnt want her to wear a helmet.
I would check on her all night and if she moved off it then I would fix her (and I cant even count the number of times I accidentally woke her up!).
I also always put her sister on the side I wanted her to look and fed her on the other boob. And lots of tummy time.

Good luck!!!

 

My boys hated tummy time, but I wish I had done it more. Ryan has a flat spot on the back of his head, but it's not too bad. I tried a sleep positioner and he got out of it every time. Before we got the bumbo and exersaucers I would sit in our recliner with the foot rest up and let him lay on my legs (face at knees) while my legs were at an incline. That way, he could see everything that was going on, but was off his head. He still sleeps on his flat spot, but that's how I sleep too. Ask your pedi to look at it next time you go in.

 

You've gotten great input, but I wanted to chime in as another person that did not band and has worked on it. Grayson favored the same side and developed a flat spot on the right side. I was/am so paranoid about it. It has improved so much over the past three months. I did reposition him before he was able to sit-up in exersaucers and such. I would turn his head at night, during naps and hold him in the other arm. We put things on the other side for him to look at and laid him down so he had to turn his head. The biggest improvement came when he started sitting more. I put him in the exersaucer, jumper, bumbo, etc to keep him off it and started sitting him propped. I am pleased with how much it has improved and believe it is going to even out and be fine.

I will also note that twin A is more likely to have these issues. Grayson dropped into my pelvis very early head down and hardly turned again. I then labored for two days and finally delivered via C. I can't imagine if he came down the birth canal. Premies are also more likely to have issues as well, but I didn't take note of when yours were born.

Good luck whatever you decide. I would definitely start by talking with your Ped about it. :hug99:

 

I'm back. Here is a Word document about repositioning strategies. Sully is right. Twins frequently have these issues. Annelise had a goofy shaped noggin before she was born. There was concern about it at her 18 week ultrasound. She was jammed in my pelvis for the entire pregnancy. She also was at risk because it was a multiple gestation pregnancy and because she had low amniotic fluid for a time. She does not have torticollis which surprised the doctors because frequently twins do have it due to lack of space in the womb. You should have your DD checked for torticollis to see if that is why she is favoring one side. That can be corrected with physical therapy.

 

A ditto to all the repositioning suggestions. Aidan (twin a) also had a pretty bad flat spot that developed by 3 months. He also was diagnosed with torticollis. We had a few sessions of PT so that I could learn to do some neck strengthening exercises with him. I did those daily and used a wedge sleep positioner to position him on his side with his non-flat side on the mattress. I also did the rolled up receiving blanket when he used the bouncy, swing and in his car seat.

At his 4 month well baby visit, his pedi booked him a consult with a pediatric plastic surgeon to see if he would need a band/helmet. It took about a month to get in with the specialist, and by that time, the flat spot had improved greatly due to our positioning work and PT. Now, at almost a year, the flat spot is basically nonexistent. I can tell slightly that his head is not perfectly round, but no one else notices it.

 

thanks guys on all of the advise and suggestions! I feel much better about things but will definitely have the ped look at it (our 2 month appt. is on Thursday)
and Beth - thanks for the doc. on repositioning -- off to read it now!

 

My DS is in a helmet now and I agree with all of the repositioning suggestions. You have a while for things to work themselves out. The ideal time for a helmet with the largest success rate is 5-8 months old and they go buy their adjusted age if they were preemies. Good luck!