My 3 months old baby's flat head (on the back)?

Question

My baby is a week to 3 months, as my first child, I do not know about flat head syndrome , I thought was good to leave everything nature. Recently I noticed his back head is so flat (when he's born, he has this perfect head shape), I started to realise it's a problem and I felt so guilty about it. I have started to have a lot of holding/tummy time when he is awake and side sleeps (supervised!). My concerns are 1)is it too late?2)will the flat area round up again?3)how long it takes to round up? 4)I heard when the child is able to turn while sleeping, it will correct itself, correct?
Any of you have any good tips/experience, I am really appreciated your helps.

Answer 1

Please don't feel guilty...it is becoming a common problem, in part due to the fact that babies sleep on their backs instead of their bellies like they did when we were babies. My daughter's head had a pronouced flat spot when she was three months, mostly because they used suction when she was born in two spots....one spot went down quickly and that was naturally where her head settled when she slept. We went to a children's hospital and had her head looked at. The first thing we were told to do was to wet her head and take a picture, retaking once a month to check for differences. We did the side sleeping with a wedge and kept her off her head as much as possible. This is MUCH easier at about four months when babies can sit in things like an exersaucer or jumper...and MUCH, MUCH easier once they can sit on their own and begin to crawl. Mine, at 8 months, sleeps on side and belly on her own because she rolls when she wants to and her formerly flat-as-a-pancake spot has rounded out almost perfectly!
If you end up needing a helmet, which they use for severe cases, you still have some time. They usually don't start this for a few months yet...start taking pictures and keep doing what you're doing and I promise you, you'll see improvement. And DON'T feel guilty, mom! :)

Answer 2

My baby's head was pretty flat but it started rounding out when he started sitting (5 months). He's 7 months old now and you can't even tell.

You could put him in one of those activity centers that he can stand in if he's big enough. That way you wouldn't have to hold him so much.

Answer 3

If you follow the new direction of laying a baby on it's back for naps, etc. then the back of the head will flatten.
For this to be a concern, I would say no because I've seen many children where the forms like it is supposed to.
I'm from the old school where you always layed the child on it's stomach for naps and bedtime--you just made sure nothing would be around the baby's face to cause SID's.

Answer 4

Flat Back Of Head

Answer 5

This is a good question. I have the same problem with my 4 month old son. I started giving him a lot more tummy time and he uses his new jumparoo twice a day, 20 min each time. I also sit him up on my lap more. When I lay him on the floor, he usually flips to his side. He actually likes laying on the floor with his toys and babbles a lot more when he's that way.

Answer 6

My baby girl is 3 months as well and we've had similar issues.

For starters, the flattening of the head is called "plagiocephaly". The cause is NOT from laying her down too much. So do not worry that you caused it! "Torticolis" is the condition. It is basically that one of the neck muscles is severely weak and in some cases has atrophied.

We took our daughter to (pediatric) Physical Therapy prescribed by our pediatrician. The physical therapist was able to give me some very helpful exercises to do with her. That was a month ago. She is almost 100% better! One simple exercise given to me by the doc: Turn baby's head to the side he has problems with. (If he resists, don't force it.) Just apply gentle pressure to keep it turned and hold it for 5 seconds. Repeat several times. Do this several times a day.

The number one thing is to get that neck muscle strengthened. I wholeheartedly recommend checking into physical therapy. Definitely address this with your pediatrician. It can lead to problems if untreated. My daughter for instance is still having problems with head control and rolling over. Think about how important it is for your baby to have good control of his neck!!

The good news is that it is TOTALLY reversible! And you are already taking steps in the right direction by positioning him on the other side. You'll be amazed at how much this helps!
Best of luck to you!!!!

Answer 7

It's not too late to fix. Make sure you lay your baby on his side when he is awake and playing or eating. If he is on his back all of the time his head will be flat because their skulls are not fully hardened yet.

Answer 8

my son had the same thing at six months old and the doctor told me to lay him flat on a bed or floor. the more they roll their heads back and forth the more it will round out again. tummy time is also great. it took about a month but sure enough his head rounded back out and he is five now with a perfectly round head.

Answer 9

you can correct it. it is caused by leaving the baby on his back too long, i am not pointing fingers because believe me i know that some babies are just happier that way. place the baby on his tummy to play during the day, hold him more. the baby should spend alot of time on his tummy to build up the strength in his neck so that he can support his head. it may take several weeks but it will go away. dont beat yourself up though you always learn with the first. Good luck!

Answer 10

No, they can't turn while sleeping. Everytime he wakes up to eat, when you put him back down, put him on a different side. It should help his head round out again. If it doesn't you should see his pediatrician about it.