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hi ladies
it seems my DS2 (nearly 8 weeks!!) has developed a little flat spot on the left of his head - I noticed it when i was drying his hair after tonight's bath...
I know it is mainly a cosmetic issue (i think?) - but any tips how to stop this or fix it?
i will pop up to the nurse tomorrow or monday and ask there too - but thought someone here may have some easy practical advice.
Thanks in advance!
Possibly from a habit of lying with the head to that side? I think it usually happens to the back of the head due to the recommendations for sleeping them on their backs. Not sure if/what problems it could cause. I slept DD on her side but always alternated so didn't have that problem.
Maybe try to notice if he tends to lie that way and encourage the other side by putting objects/toys/people there.
Sorry can't be of more help.
Try repositioning the head to a different position each time you put the baby down. So one sleep the head might be turned to the right, the next sleep in the centre, the next to the left. My paed also recommends changing the end the baby sleeps in the cot with each sleep so thereby facing the other way and lying on the other side of the head.
Osteo is good too.
yep, cranial osteopath or a physio who specilaise in paediatrics or plagiocephaly.
I took both my boys at different ages.
ITs very, very good that you have picked it up this early, as sfter 6-9 months theres not a lot they can do.
Tummy time is important and also putting your bub at different ends of the cot if its up against a wall, so he has more reasons to look in both directions
But I'd go along to a physio or osteo if I were you
I second the osteo, physio or chiro option - #1 here had some issues with neck movement which caused a severe flat spot. At 4 months the MCHN suggested we get her assessed for a helmet to rectify the problem - luckily she had a good response to the chiro and it sorted out quite quickly. Once her movement was better the other suggestions to encourage looking at the opposite side did wonders. Good luck!
I used a pillow with a hole in the middle to fix DD2's flat spot, I got it from baby bunting. She would only have her head facing one way no matter how much I tried she would always move back. We have used the pillow for a month now and she is now happy to sleep with her head to either side and the flat spot is gone.
Thanks for the advice ladies!!! I will take himto the MACH nurse to have a look... and then might try an osteo or physio...
i have tried to put his head facing a diff way but the cheeky little thing turns it back LOL!
Hi Mama Pan. How'd you go with your visit to the nurse? Just curious because DD has got a flat spot also.
We had the same thing too...and my cheeky little boy would always turn his head back to one side too!!
I pointed it out to the Dr at about 6 weeks and she just said its cos he's a back sleeper and what else did I expect...left feeling like a total idiot! Then the nurse came and checked him out at about 5 months and was instantly concerned and gave me referal to the physio straight away!! Turns out he has left torticulus...basically a weakening of the muscles in the left side of his neck and his left hand was not as developed co-ordination wise. The problem with my DS was that not only did he have the flat spot, but one half of his face was protruding because of it.
Basically the main things I have to do is have him lying in his cot so the door is on his left...have toys mostly on his left side...approach him from the left etc There are other rolling exercises for younger bubs too, but they didnt show me them since DS is already rolling it wouldnt help much.
Sorry that ended up so long-winded, but basically my advice would definately be talk to your nurse about it and try to encourage your son to turn his head the other way by making it more interesting for him.
HTH and hope the nurse will help you out :)