Same thing happened to me hun, she was wedged in my pelvis plus they stretched one side of her neck muscles when they tried to do the vaccum thing and she only turned to one side and her other neck muscles (on the other side) shortened because she never turned to that side (omg did that even make sense...? I'm so friggen tired!).
We noticed Jazzy's head was funny looking, she had a massive bulge in the front and then on the opposite side in the back, and was completely out of whack. She was our little lumpy bumpy babe. We got the diagnosis of left torticollis and plagiocephaly.
At 4 months our CHN told us to make sure she had lots of tummy time (which she wasn't getting as she'd scream the house down) and turn her head while she slept so she slept on the other side, then we saw a physio at about 5 months who said she'd need the helmet BUT after 2 months of actively keeping her off her head (limited back laying and supervised back laying so she wasn't worsening the flatened area) it is correcting itself.
It is NOT your fault. It CAN be treated without a helmet. You've caught it so early that it seems unlikely that they'd do anything but positional therapy until at least 4-5 months (I think my physio said they like to make sure bub has good neck strength before they do a helmet). We bought a BUmbo at 4 months, I think Bella is a bit early for that but when she is ready a Bumbo is great as it keeps them up (Jazz loved her rocker but would lat her flat spot in a groove so obviously wasn't any good for her head). We started doing tummy time in front of a mirror or near the glass doors in our house (so she could see outside) and she tolerated it much better.
Oh, I almost forgot. We also started co-sleeping full-time, as I lay on the left side and Jazz would turn to the left to snuggle (or feed) which I think has had a huge impact on her head and neck.
First of all Kate...OMG isnt she beautiful, you must be so proud!
Second of all- some of those health nurses have no tact and scare the absolute living daylights out of you and get you in hysterics... shame on her!!!! She could have suggested that you go see your gp for a paed referal coz her head is a little out of shape. Not slam it down your throat the worst case senario.
Go and see your GP, also ring around chiros in your area or even osteopaths and see if they will see her to do an assessment.
While you are waiting for that, like leasha said, plenty of tummy time, sit her up as much as you can. I know shes only 2 months, but prop her on pillows, supervise her on a bean bag, baby wearing, sleep her on her tummy during the day (so you can supervise her) or if youre not confident with that make sure you turn her head when shes sleeping. Also a rolled up towel or blanket along one side of her can encourage her to have her head to one particular side.
Hope that helps you. Youre a great mum, dont ever doubt that for one second. There are going to be plenty of times that people make comments that will make you think youve done something wrong, but you are her mother and you are doing the best you can.
Oh there are also sleeping things you can buy, check out the babies galore website I think the sleepers are called positioners or something like that? We were going to buy one then decided to co-sleep instead. They have these head things, they position the head away from the flat spot? And a body positioner so bub lies towards one side. Not sure how effective they are but worth a look into if you're interested.
One of our MG friends had a bub with a similar problem, now at nearly 6 months it is starting to get a lot better. Talk to your doc but it will probably resolve with time. Big honey.
Thanks eveyone.
Bekz - thanks for sharing your storey and Im so glad it worked out for your bub.
Leash - THANK YOU SO MUCH - you really have given me hope - thanks so much for going into such detail I really appreciate it all.
Melissa - I think she is just perfect and beautiful also - but I am going to work hard on her head and neck and see how we go - I will also see my GP and get a referal even if she doesnt think I need one.
Pixie - thanks for sharing - im glad to know that in time it can get better.
I would strongly urge you to take your baby to a good chiropractor. This is a common issue with newborns and they should be able to correct the problem without using helmets, which may harm your baby's skull and brain development. My niece had a flat head, mainly from not turning to one side while sleeping, and her chiro sorted it out pretty quickly.
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