12 week old with slight flat spot..

[Stevie]

hi ladies,
I was wondering if anyone could point me in a direction about information on babies head flat spots.. my DS is 12 weeks and one side on the back of his head is beginning to be slightly flatter than the any other part of his head.. I have tried moving his head to the other side when hes asleep but he just rolls it back, I do a little bit of tummy time, could probably do a lot more but he doesn't really like it, he is generally a really happy baby so when I put him on his tummy and he doesn't like it I don't do it for long coz I don't like seeing him upset (no mother does, I know)

but if anyone could give me some pointers on what I should be doing, that would be awesome!!
tia

[JLeigh29]

Paed, health nurse or GP for referral....a friend's sister left it too long and had a looooong road trying to undo things (helmet, but also long term lopsided eyes/vision issues with her DD)

I heard tummy time lying on your chest counts too - DS hated tummy time too

[Santosha]

Ok, don't shoot me coz I think it's not strictly by the safe-sleeping guidelines, but I think it's ok...

With both of mine that have preferred to look one way and have developed flat spots, I have 'chokked' them slightly, both when sleeping and when playing on the floor. (If you weren't happy with the sleeping situation you could just do it during playtime). Just put a rolled up baby blanket under their shoulder and hip (but not up near their face so even if they do turn their head to the dominant side, there's nothing there for them to squish their face into ITMS). It's only a very slight elevation (say, 2-3cms) but it's enough that it makes their head turn the other way. I've done it with DS 2 for the past week and his head's evening out again quite quickly. I think it might be helping to stretch the stiff bit in his neck out too as I've noticed he's looking both ways more when I pop him on the floor without the chock.

You could also get him assessed by a peadeatric osteopath or physio who might be able to loosen up his neck as they often look one way because it's a bit stiff.

Finally, sometimes they prefer to look toward you if the cot is next to your bed. If he's looking at you, try switching him so his head's at the other end of the cot.

[~Phoenix~]

I would get it checked out for peace of mind as PP said if it's left it can lead to bigger issues.

My DD2 had a noticeable flat spot on her right side at 9 weeks. On Paed advice we started to sleep her on her left side with one of those sleep positioners to hold her in place. It took awhile to start evening out but soon enough it was barely noticeable plus the grow of some hair helped disguise it

[Stevie]

ok will make Dr app!!!
he is a bit stiff in the neck on the opposite side.. I have been chocking his head.. but his whole body is a better idea!!
Thanks for your help girls