Newborns and Flat Head

Hi A.
I did a little reading on this subject a while ago..And It suggested to lay the baby on it's side propped by pillows while it's sleeping...alternating sides every night..not letting her sleep face up.

We had the same thing....Our little girl was just 2 months old when our doctor said to have an evaluation. We took her to Star Cranial center. They did measurements and said that she did need a helmet - which insurance didn't cover for us. She did wonderful! Got the helmet in February and was out of it in June. They said that no one has progressed that quickly. You just have to put in on the child for like 23 hours a day. I cried and cried when she got it but so glad we did. Good luck! :-)

A., my son wore a helmet for 6 months. Try to wait until fall since the helmet can make their head super hot. My son wasn't really bothered by it. I hope you have good insurance because the whole undertaking is quite expensive.

Hi A.-
We went through that same thing this past January when my son turned 4 months too. His pediatrician recommended going to see a pediatric chiropractor before considering a helmet. While the helmet helps to round out the head, it does other damage. Fluid in your body that needs to move freely is trapped up in the head. We took our son to Dr. Melissa Shelton in Plano. She is a wonderful pediatric chiropractor and treats many babies. While it is a slow process, it will help PLUS it is much safer than the helmet route. You are doing good to address the issue now. The older they get, the more closed their soft spot gets, the harder it is to round out. Our son was born with torticollis which is a tightening in the neck muscle. He developed the flat spot on his head b/c it was uncomfortable to lay his head straight. He is now going to physical therapy for that and the chiropractor is helping to round his head out. Let me know if you have any questions. I've learned a lot about this stuff!!

I would make an appointment to see a pediatric physical therapist or an occupational therapist as well. Her head being flat and her resistance to tummy time would indicate something else is going on. She should also be able to control her head by 4 months. My daughter had tortocolis. My pediatrician told me not to worry about it...so I didn't. Big mistake!
We had trouble potty training her because of the weakness in her arms, (she couldn't pull her own pants up or down)she's having trouble with handwriting...all those things I possibly could have avoided by getting her early intervention! And..its impossible to get her pony tails straight because her had isn't symmetrical!
I didn't get a helmet because I was told as her brain gowns, her head should round out...but it hasn't at all!
I work in a pediatric therapy clinic. We have occupational and speech therapy. You could call and talk to our OT to see if she thinks she can help or if you need a PT. Our number is ###-###-####.

Have you considered a wrap or sling? Slip her into one of those & tote her around with you. She'll get cuddles and a different position in which to be. Two for the price of one. :)

Also, try tummy time by laying her on your chest, so you're face to face. You can even do this reclining on the couch. That way she'll have a good time, looking at & interacting with you. A few minutes of this several times a day & you should be on your way to a beautiful round head. :)

When I took my 5 week old in for a yeast infection (thrush) her pedi also informed me that the rt. side of her head was VERY flat....and referred us to Cranial Tech. in Dallas for measurements and an evaluation. We actually had our 1st appt. yesterday with the clinician at Cranial Tech. They did photos, measurements, and went over head/neck stretches. I've definitely got a "helmet baby" but unfortunately our insurance doesn't cover it, so hubby and I have to discuss that tonight. It's $3600....WOW!!!

Let me know if you need more info.

Your little girl is still young enough to just do repositioning at home for a few months and increasing tummy time. You can do some research on the internet but basically its just making sure that any time she is on her head (sleeping, swing, stroller, carseat, diaper change, etc) you make sure she is getting pressure on different parts of her head. You can prop her up with a blanket or small towel to ensure she puts some pressure on the opposite of the flat spot. Most kids should not need a helmet unless there is a chance the brain will be affected by the head shape. Don't worry about her head control - this will come with more tummy time. Try letting her look at the TV, some cool toys with lights and sounds, sing to her while she's propped up on the boppy, etc. My boy didn't like tummy time either but it can be fun and is SO VITAL to all their development.

We went to Cranial Technologies for our boy and he ended up not needing a helmet - just neck exercises. They were great to us but I have heard from others that they tend to over-treat. Often times physical therapy for the neck is usually all that is needed. If the baby has developed a pattern to sleep on one side of the head it is a result of, or it produces, a muscular issue that "pulls" the head to that side thus the baby wants to sleep on that side. I would encourage you to go get a second opinion at the Dell Childrens Cranial-Facial group in Austin, TX if your pediatrician insists that repositioning and more tummy time is not helping.

So many kids have this now that the sleeping on the back for SIDS is such a big deal. You can totally correct it at home. Best of luck!