Baby with a flat head

Hi,

Just wanting some advice. I caught up with a friend last week who's baby is about 17 weeks old and I noticed that he had a really flat head. Like, angled on one side and sloping flat across the back. Really FLAT. I wasn't sure if I should interfere and say anything or not? I just remember my previous mat health nurse always going on about putting baby to sleep on their back and changing the side that their head lies on, to avoid a flat head.

Only thing is, when my friend got home from hospy, the council didn't link her in with MCHN. It's her third bub and he's been putting on weight etc and she decided not to link in with them. I was talking to my mum today who said that if their head is seriously flat, that's not a good thing and maybe I should mention something to her. I don't want to offend her and I'm not really sure how big an issue it is? I remember receiving handouts with DS1 and DS2 about 'Protecting the shape of your baby's head' etc, but we didn't seem to get those this year (?)

Has anybody got experience of this and what advice were you given?
TIA

I think that just as long as the head can grow that the shape isn't a health issue. Lots of people have funny shaped heads but usually they have hair that covers it and as they mature babies heads seem to take on more normal shapes.

If you do decide to say something maybe try to sandwich it between positive comments about how cute he is.

DD had plagiocephaly, and it was deemed to be 'moderate: requiring attention' because it was starting to involve her ears and face (one ear was more forward than the other and her forehead was bulging one on side because the skull was becoming so out of shape from the flat spot). She also had torticolis, a neck muscle issue, so a lot of physio was required but because we started treatment at around 4-5 months of age she didn't need a helmet.

On one hand, you don't want to offend or cause her to worry, but untreated plagiocephaly can become an issue (mostly cosmetic) if it is moderate to severe - can impact on the position of the ears, eyes and also jaw alignment which is the major cause of issues later on. If you are still in contact with your MCHN, can you get some info and then casually pass it on to your friend next time you see her?

You could also send or print her this. http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/facts...fm?doc_id=7666

I would say something. My DD2 had a flat spot on one side and with some attention I corrected it easily enough. My friends little boy had it alot worse, to the point of head moulds constantly been made and a lot of physio.

Both my kids were born with Plagiocephaly and both have required sessions and check up at RCH. Neither have required a helmet as we got on if early enough and just did muscular work. I would mention it as if it gets to bad it can have a huge effect on their faces and head shapes.

Thanks for your replies, I think I will mention something to her - given he's in the 4-8 month mark where if he does need something done, it should be easier now, rather than doing something later on.

I like the idea of sandwiching it between something nice like Onyx suggested, but my warped sense of humour kicked in and thought 'hey, he's got such cute blue eyes and WTF is going on with his flat head??? and isn't he just so alert... ha ha ha. I think I'll have to work on it. Actually I don't think I'll be catching up with her for awhile, so it will be over email. Harder still but at least I can take my time workshopping something appropriate.
Thanks again and also for the link and the proper term. My mum had mentioned something about a helmet if it's severe, so I'm glad I asked.

My nephew had to have a helmet for 12 months to correct his head.... Sister in law had advice from the mchn though and was open about her concerns do it was easy to talk about with her. It's hard to tell people about your observations though. Good luck!!