I am worried that the shape of her head will always look misshapen
2006-07-01 04:32:50 · 24 answers · asked by sonia s 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
My daughter had this from laying on one side all of the time. Can she easily turn her head from side to side? If so, try laying her in both directions in her crib or turn her head the other direction when she sleeps to get the pressure off of the soft spot. If she can't turn her head easily both directions, and tilts her head in one direction while on her tummy, she may have torticollis....it's a condition that causes a stiff neck and shoulder. This will take time to recover from. Physical therapy will help along with daily neck and shoulder stretches.
Also, have your daughter play on her tummy as much as possible to get her off of her head. This, too, is great for strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles which is essential for crawling. Good Luck!
2006-07-01 04:37:49 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of One in Wisconsin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It could be the pressure from lying on her head, like the other answer.
However, that depends on where the flat spot actually is. If you are talking about the top of her head - than that is the fontanel - or the "soft spot".
When a baby is born, the bones in their skull are not fused together, and this is useful for when they need to pass through the birth canal - their head can compress without injury.
This spot starts to fuse together over the course of about a year or two. However, if you notice that it gets larger, or is sunken in too much, than you need to have her looked at by a doctor.
In fact, you may want to have the Dr. look at her anyway to be sure there is nothing wrong.
2006-07-01 11:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how much of an area on her head is flattened, there is a soft helmet that can be worn to improve the shape of her skull and prevent further flattening. An exam by a pediatrician can determine if she needs to use one when lying down. As most of the others who responded to your question stated, it's not a problem. She is very young and skull shape tends to change in infants as they develop. I'm not an M.D. ,but work with infants and children in an outpatient hospital and see this frequently. Hope this helps!
2006-07-01 11:44:44 · answer #3 · answered by cillianblue 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with her Dr. My nephew was born with a misformed head and had to wear a rounded helmet for the first 6 months to correct the shape and avoid further flattening.
It is probably because of all the back time and lack of belly time and nothing to worry about.
2006-07-01 11:40:35 · answer #4 · answered by Jen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it gets really bad they make helmets for them to wear. Since they have to sleep on their backs, put her in other positions when she is awak, or lay her on something soft (when she's awake and you're watching her). Bouncy seats and swings will put pressure on the flat spot too. I just held my daughter a LOT until she wanted to be put down to play (8-9 months) and she never got a flat spot at all, just a little bald spot where the hair rubbed off.
2006-07-01 12:25:52 · answer #5 · answered by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 3 months your daughter's head is still forming. Her skull won't be completely sealed for quite some time, and as the bone forms stronger, her head will take on the more characteristic oval appearance, so don't worry.
2006-07-01 11:38:02 · answer #6 · answered by candrv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My four year old son has a flattening of the back of his head that is quite pronounced. It was noted when he was a few months old, and has never gone away. We let his hair grow long and it isn't very noticeable. We had it checked by neurologists and pediatricians and they do not think it is a problem (physically) in his case.
2006-07-01 11:50:06 · answer #7 · answered by P. M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a friend who said to rub it. Just gently rub in a round direction. His daughter is 22 now and she has a very round head. By the way, he doesn't still rub it.
Another way is to make her lay on the other side. I don't know if you will be able to do this at this age though.
2006-07-01 11:41:15 · answer #8 · answered by Debbie P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not an expert or anything but i remember something similiar with my little brother. Most likely it's just becuase that's the side she sleeps on, baby's bodies aren't fully developed like ours so things like this are common, but if you want to feel totally better about it, just ask your doctor.
PS. my brother's head is perfectly round now :)
2006-07-01 11:38:16 · answer #9 · answered by teka kat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Once she starts sitting up and sleeping in different positions, it will get better. Also try tummy time with her...this will keep her from lying on her back and making the flat place worse, as well as help strengthen her neck muscles.
2006-07-01 22:12:45 · answer #10 · answered by brevejunkie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋