one side of head flatter than other advice please - My baby was born in Mar 2011

donna08

01/07/2011 at 16:40

hi all jake is nearly 17 weeks old now and doing really well,
im getting a bit concerned about the shape of his head, ive always layed jake on his back after his 11 weeks check the doctor didnt mention one side of his head was flatter than the other so we try to lay him on his side but once hes asleep he turns on his back agsin, when we lay him on his mat,bed,cot he always looks to the flatter side only even when i try turning to look other way he goes back agin,
i showed other half his head tonight and said i was a bit worried and he agreed it looks to one side,
jake has loads of hair which im glad otherwise you would notice it more,
im going to phone ny health vistior on monday for advice on whta to do and to have a check,
in the meantime has anyone had this before and got any advice please thanks donna
:?

kimdunc

01/07/2011 at 17:32

Once he starts sitting up more and laying down less it will even itself out, dont panic he will be fine. It is obviously the position your baby feels most comfy on. My baby (14 wks) always looks/turns/sleeps to the right so his head is slightly wonky on that side too!!

Kim x

MummyJT

01/07/2011 at 17:54

Sorry, G/C from DID, This was on the latest forum list.
I have 3 and half year ols twins, and one of my daughters heads was likt this. She would always lie on her left side, and didn't matter how many times we turned her head she would always turn back to her left side!
I just wanted to reassure you that it does even itself out once baby becomes more mobile, sitting up etc. (My little girl has a lovely round even head now!!)
However, if you are really worried, i would definitely phone your Health Visitor, it can be very reassuring speaking to a professional!

Jo xx

Lady2188

02/07/2011 at 17:06

Hi hun,

At mother and baby we had a physio last week who talked about this. Apparently what happens is because the skull is still soft, if they lay on one side more than other it can cause that side to become flatter. The reason he lies on this side more is because his head will naturally role more comfortably this way (much like if you kick a ball with one side flat, it will roll onto the flat side). The physio said it's best dealt with by encouraging him to lie on the other side as much as you can ie. you lie with him sometimes and encourage him to look at you on the rounder side.

I would mention it to your hv and she might refer you to a physio who can give you more tips. I don't think it's anything to worry about xx

Ricecakex

03/07/2011 at 10:45

My son also has one side of his head that is flatter than the other and always sleeps on it no matter how many times we move him. My oldest little boy who is now 6 had a very flat head but it soon evened itself out as he got older and laid on his back less and now you'd never know. Your health visitor might be able to give you some more advice too but think its quite normal xx

donna08

03/07/2011 at 15:38

thankyou all for your replies im really greatful,
trying to turn jake around but still keeps turning other way even put him other end if his cot and still the same, think i will ring hv but im more at ease now thanks again ladies

AmberLse

09/07/2011 at 04:46

You can also try a cranial osteopath, if baby tends always to turn its head in one preferred direction...

My mum was a health visitor in Scotland, and this is an area they are hot on. Generally also recommend lots of tummy time, on you or the floor...

KazzieM

09/07/2011 at 04:53

G/C from DIS but it's not uncommon for baby's head to appear slightly wonky in the first few months. When baby is delivered it has a cranium designed to squash to allow easier passage through the birth canal. Once your LO gets more able, sitting up/crawling/toddling, you'll find that the head will start rounding out into the more usual expected shaping. To encourage this try tummy time on the floor with you encouraging baby to lift their head. You can also buy bumbo seats to help encourage sitting.

foxinsocksandbump2 Platinum member

09/07/2011 at 05:23

I would get it checked because sometimes its due to what they call torticollus which is where the muscles on the one side of the neck pull the head slightly off centre. Sam has this from birth (he was breech) and he has had physio to correct it. No harm in getting it checked, but either way, its nothing bad to stress about.

cherrycupcake Silver member

06/08/2011 at 09:37

Hi,

I was advised to get this pillow and have had no problems with my son - whereas I didnt use one for my daughter and she got flat head.

My daughter had a very mis shaped head but she grew out of it by 18 months - it gradually went back. A few other children in the street had flat head and theirs too went back to normal.

If it is bad you can buy helmets that help the head go back but i think they have to be worn for 23 hours of each day.

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