flat sopt on head for my 5mo DS... Help please....

[rufalina]

Ugh, poor DS2 is developing a flat head... OH NO.....

I have spoken with the GP, twice,once at 3mo, I made a special appt to discuss it, and was fobbed off and told to discuss it at 4 months, and then and all he did was give me a referral to a plastic surgeon, who laughed at me when I rang to get an appointment....

Basically, DS sleeps with his head to one side and tilted back, and no matter what I do, where I move him, he wont move... And his head is starting to take on a parallelogram shape... Poor kid...

So who do I need to see to help???????? And what can I do???? I dont want this to get any worse....

Thanks..........

[ss_storm]

DD has a flat spot on the back of her head, I noticed it probably around 7 months old? My MCHN told me not to worry too much about it, it's just the way her head is developing, some people have perfectly rounded skulls, others may have a flat spot. She also said it's only in the first few weeks/couple of months they worry about them developing a flat spot as they are spending so much time lying on their backs/asleep.

I'm not sure if I should continue to be worried about it or not, I thought any flat spot was a worry... Are you able to see a different GP for a second opinion or a paediatrician? Interested to hear other replies too.

[SJL]

I havent personally had any experience with this, but I have seen some bubba's at RCH with little helmets to help shape there heads as they develop. I assume they only need to do that in very severe situations.

I would suggest, as Storm suggested, follow your instinct and get a second opinion, talk to your health nurse or a second GP or even contact your local children's hospital to get an appointment with a peadiatrician.

Good luck with it.

[sangie]

Go and see a chiro, preferably a paediatric chiro if there is one nearby. He may have a stiff neck which is why he keeps his head in one position.

My DS had quite a severe flat spot (basically the whole back of his head was flat). We saw a chiro for a while but at 7 months he wasn't really improving so we saw a paed who referred us to an orthotics clinic where we got him a helmet. He's had it for 4 weeks now and the difference is amazing, his skull bones are popping out and his head is getting rounder. We were told that if you don't get it sorted by 12 months then that is basically the head shape they will have. Don't want to scare you but if you have concerns then its best to get another opinion. Not sure where you are but at the RCH there is a long waiting list for helmets (and I suspect it will be similar for other public hospitals) so you want to get onto it now!

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!

[rufalina]

Thanks guys. I had a bit of a look around and think I found a pead osteopath who I will ring tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment. And failing that I will ring the pead we had for DS 1 and hopefully use the referral for the surgeon that the GP gave us to get in to see him. will let you know how i get on.

[lisaandshaun]

my DD had a flat spot on the back of her head and we were told to give her as much tummy time as she will handle. so far it is working.

[Baby14]

DS started to develop a flat spot so we got a referral to a paediatric physio, we did a lot of passive physio at home and would go into the room and move his head while he was sleeping until he got used to sleeping differently. Also, lots of tummy time when he was awake. It took a little while and some persistence but the flat spot is not as noticeable now. GL

[Schmickers]

Definitely see a paediatrician - what you are describing is not normal and isprobably a consequence of his sleeping position. It's something you should get sorted out now, before his skull bones fuse, as the other girls have pointed out. Don't let your GP fob you off, insist on an appointent with a paediatrician. Otherwise, as the others have suggested, investigate anything involving the neck - parfiaitric chriopractice or osteopathy is a good ide.

[rufalina]

Thanks again, and Schmickers, I agree, I know we are part the point of just trying to position him, and tummy time... cause we have tried that and didn't get anywhere. I have got an appt with a pead osteo today, so will see what they think, and try that, but failing any improvement in a short time frame will get an appt with the pead and go from there.