I'm doing some research on my son's flat head and I was wondering if you could share your insights/experiences while I'm waiting for a referral to a specialist. My son has a flat head but it involves the entire back of the head and not just one side so I'm thinking it may be brachycephaly (uniformly flat head at the back). His ped was not concerned during our 4 month appointment but I am. I know we haven't been doing a lot of tummy time with him since his reflux/spitting up got worse. Now, I'm worried sick since his head is starting to shape like an egg. I forced my pedi to give us a referral to a neurosurgeon at least for my peace of mind. If we have to take the helmet route, I guess I would have to bite the bullet. Any tips on repositioning tips/ideas for babies with the entire back of the head being flat? Any success stories? Thanks!
Both of my twins plus my older DD had/have a flat spot. We were referred to a physical therapist with our oldest and they showed us ways to keep her from lying on the flat spot. She is now 3 and has a gorgeous head! My youngest twin had a worse flat spot than the other twin. She started rolling over last week so I occasionally find her sleeping on her side or stomach plus we started the exersaucer about a month ago. I've already noticed her head starting to round out. The other twin is not rolling over and still has a horrible flat spot. I spoke with the ped about it at their 4 month appt and she wasn't concerned. She said she doesn't ever see 5 year olds with a flat spot so they do eventually round out. My feeling is soon as my other twin starts rolling too plus they start sitting up, the flat spots will disappear.
I'm in a similar situation with our boys. Both have had a real preference for sleeping with their head to one side since birth. It probably started in utero when they were in tight quarters. We've been going crazy with the tummy time, sleep positioners (I suggest you try sleeping your baby in a positioner alternating sides each night if he has a flat spot on the back of his head - might help), etc. PLUS keeping them off their heads as much as possible during awake time - jolly jumper, exersaucer, bumbo, etc. I really blame the infant seats and swings for their heads - I probably overused them during those crazy first two months. I am going to do everything in my power to avoid the helmets. The whole thing is amplified by their lack of hair.
Hi Marie, Both twins developed flat spots and I was able to correct it with positioning. When they were in their swings or bouncies, I would roll up a blanket and put it under one of their shoulders, so that they couldn't lay on the flat spot. I also used the Boppy Noggin Nest in their carseats. In their cribs I used sleep postioners. I became super vigilant about tummy time, and they spent most of their awake time on their tummies.
QUOTE(CHJH @ Aug 10 2007, 01:51 AM) [snapback]363467[/snapback] I really blame the infant seats and swings for their heads - I probably overused them during those crazy first two months. I am going to do everything in my power to avoid the helmets. The whole thing is amplified by their lack of hair. Same here. They wouldn't sleep anywhere besides the swings. I'm really anxious to see a specialist though.
My girl has a flat spot on one side. Her pedi isn't too concerned. She said it was cosmetic and that as soon as she started rolling over and such, things will work itself out. I have been putting her in the Bumbo chair and doing tummy time a lot to try to counteract the time she spends in her bed. The boppy noggin thing looks awesome. I'm going to buy one now. Thanks AWerner!
We saw a specialist for Jonathan's flat head and they confirmed it's brachycephaly. While I had tried for months very hard to "correct" it myself with lots and lots of tummy time (AND he sleeps on his tummy now), it only improved a little. We decided to go ahead and do the helmet ("Doc Band"). He'll only wear it for about 3 1/2 - 4 months and his head shape will improve a lot. I blamed myself at first - too much swing time, bouncy chair etc after he was born, but the specialist told me it's actually very common for multiples to have this and preemie multiples to boot! In fact, at our last appointment, we were one of three Duo Gliders in the lobby! Our insurance company isn't paying for it, but we decided to bite the bullet and do it. After meeting with the specialists, I feel better about it - he won't even know he's wearing it and it will make a big difference in his head shape. Good luck...I know this is tough! :hug99:
We actually have an appt with a neurosurgeon on Monday due to one of the twin's flat spot. It is the entire back of his head and I do also blame it on overusing the papasan chair during the first 4 months. We did see one neursurgeon a few months ago and she wasn't concerned about it, said it would round out, but when we went for his 4 mo appt, the pediatrician felt that we needed a referral. We'll see what neurosurgeon #2 says.
