Wonky head (flat head syndrome)

hypnorm · Jun 8th, 2009, 01:52 AM

Just wondering if any one elses child has had Plagiocephaly or a mild wonky head?

Robyn has a slightly flat head on one side, which i have notice more but she does keep her head to one side, so i am now try repostioning her so that she turns her head to the other side and i have also bought a Goi Goi baby pillow whichi is suppsed to help with head flatness.

It seems flat on one side so it is pushing that side of her face forward.
I spoke to the doctors but they said not to worry and it will even out on its own, but i ended up googling! probably not the best idea.. then i saw all the helmets to correct the head.. over £2000 not something we could afford.

I will try and take some photos later and put them on, just wanted to see if there was any one else who has the same problem or has been through it.
OH tells me to stop worrying but its hard when its your little kid!

mama2b · Jun 8th, 2009, 02:20 AM

I have noticed that Lucas has started to get a slightly flat head on his right side and I have been trying to turn it to the left when he is sleeping and give him more tummy time.

Where can I buy one of the pillows you mention ?

Its typical as literally the day before I noticed his head had started to go flat someone told me what a beautiful shaped head he had !

I am worrying to, its not particuarly noticable (well other people say it isn't) but I can feel the shape of his head is definetly flatter on the one side

hypnorm · Jun 8th, 2009, 02:27 AM

http://www.goigoibabypillows.co.uk/

The reveiws seem very good and i am willing to try anything if it will help her head a bit.

mama2b · Jun 8th, 2009, 02:36 AM

Thank you,

That would be great for him in the day as he hates sleeping flat so looks like that would solve 2 problems for me

rach321 · Jun 8th, 2009, 07:30 AM

A friend had this problem with her LO - she got his head circumference measured every time she got him weighed so that it was easier for the docs to keep track and she used a goi goi pillow but to be honest now that he's old enough to sit up on his own the problem has pretty much sorted itself out.

hypnorm · Jun 8th, 2009, 08:37 AM

Thanks thats what i am hoping will happen with Robyn once she is sitting up a bit more.
She doesnt enjoy being on her tummy and prefers being on her back which doesnt help!

So i hope that the pillow will ease the pressure on the side of her head as she does have a bit of a preference for one side and she also has a bald spot there too!

Whisper · Jun 8th, 2009, 08:44 AM

I think when they get past a few weeks old the bones are melded pretty much into place, not sure there is a lot you can do about it, Amelia has bump on the back of her head when she used to lay in one position all the time. Doctor told me it would just stay that way, fortunately her hair covers it.

I know it isn't recommended but laying them on their tummies does seem to prevent/help FHS.

codegirl · Jun 8th, 2009, 13:34 PM

You caught the flat head with lots of time to correct it without needing the helmet. According to the Headshape clinic that I attended a month ago here are some of the recommendations to help reshape the head without the helmet. This is right from the notes they gave me. Keep in mind that Edward's flat spot was on the left side of the back of the head so you may have to change the recommendations to suite your situation.

This is directly copied from the handout I was given and does not nessessarly reflect my opinions

Feeding:

If bottle feeding, try to hold your baby so he/she has to look right to see you. If breastfeeding, try different hold positions where your baby places minimal pressure to the left side of his/her head
In a highchair, feed your baby from the right side of the chair

Sleeping:

Baby should sleep on his/her back with head positioned to the right. Do not add any extra rolls or pillows to the crib
Place the crib so that if your baby looks left, he/she is staring at a blank wall, and has to look right to see you or a crib toy.
Crib toys should be positioned so the baby has to look right to see them and on outside rail only. Crib mobile should be removed.

Playing:

Lots of tummy time!! Try a few minutes with each diaper change.
Keep tops on the right side of your baby during play.
Position side-laying on right side during supervised play time as well.

Diaper changes and baths:

Place your baby on the change table or bath so you are on his/her right side

Car seat carrier, swing and bouncy chair:

Keep focus to the right side of the vehicle (ie: toys stuck to window)
Take your baby out of the infant carrier and placing him/her into a stroller on outings so baby is encouraged to move and look around.
When possible, limit time in swing and bouncy chairs. If baby is in swing/bouncy chair, place chair so that if the baby looks left they are staring at a blank wall, and has to look right to see the activity in the room

helen1234 · Jun 8th, 2009, 13:38 PM

i got really worried bout rhys getting a flat head as he sleeps loads, i asked te hv what she thought and she pointed out loads of babies and the all had slightly flatenned heads, usually peaks around 4-5months and once they start sitting up and geing mobile it generally sorts itself out
xx

hypnorm · Jun 8th, 2009, 14:06 PM

Thanks guys that is all very helpful, i know i am probably just a worry head! but we probably all are at some point!!

Jun 8th, 2009, 01:52 AM	#1
hypnorm Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stroud, Gloucester Posts: 4,814	Wonky head (flat head syndrome) Just wondering if any one elses child has had Plagiocephaly or a mild wonky head? Robyn has a slightly flat head on one side, which i have notice more but she does keep her head to one side, so i am now try repostioning her so that she turns her head to the other side and i have also bought a Goi Goi baby pillow whichi is suppsed to help with head flatness. It seems flat on one side so it is pushing that side of her face forward. I spoke to the doctors but they said not to worry and it will even out on its own, but i ended up googling! probably not the best idea.. then i saw all the helmets to correct the head.. over £2000 not something we could afford. I will try and take some photos later and put them on, just wanted to see if there was any one else who has the same problem or has been through it. OH tells me to stop worrying but its hard when its your little kid!

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 02:20 AM	#2
mama2b Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,097	I have noticed that Lucas has started to get a slightly flat head on his right side and I have been trying to turn it to the left when he is sleeping and give him more tummy time. Where can I buy one of the pillows you mention ? Its typical as literally the day before I noticed his head had started to go flat someone told me what a beautiful shaped head he had ! I am worrying to, its not particuarly noticable (well other people say it isn't) but I can feel the shape of his head is definetly flatter on the one side

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 02:27 AM	#3
hypnorm Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stroud, Gloucester Posts: 4,814	http://www.goigoibabypillows.co.uk/ The reveiws seem very good and i am willing to try anything if it will help her head a bit.

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 02:36 AM	#4
mama2b Trying to conceive (TTC) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,097	Thank you, That would be great for him in the day as he hates sleeping flat so looks like that would solve 2 problems for me

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 07:30 AM	#5
rach321 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Herts Posts: 1,217	A friend had this problem with her LO - she got his head circumference measured every time she got him weighed so that it was easier for the docs to keep track and she used a goi goi pillow but to be honest now that he's old enough to sit up on his own the problem has pretty much sorted itself out.

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 08:37 AM	#6
hypnorm Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stroud, Gloucester Posts: 4,814	Thanks thats what i am hoping will happen with Robyn once she is sitting up a bit more. She doesnt enjoy being on her tummy and prefers being on her back which doesnt help! So i hope that the pillow will ease the pressure on the side of her head as she does have a bit of a preference for one side and she also has a bald spot there too!

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 08:44 AM	#7
Whisper Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Sussex Posts: 3,275	I think when they get past a few weeks old the bones are melded pretty much into place, not sure there is a lot you can do about it, Amelia has bump on the back of her head when she used to lay in one position all the time. Doctor told me it would just stay that way, fortunately her hair covers it. I know it isn't recommended but laying them on their tummies does seem to prevent/help FHS.

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 13:34 PM	#8
codegirl Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,415	You caught the flat head with lots of time to correct it without needing the helmet. According to the Headshape clinic that I attended a month ago here are some of the recommendations to help reshape the head without the helmet. This is right from the notes they gave me. Keep in mind that Edward's flat spot was on the left side of the back of the head so you may have to change the recommendations to suite your situation. This is directly copied from the handout I was given and does not nessessarly reflect my opinions Feeding: If bottle feeding, try to hold your baby so he/she has to look right to see you. If breastfeeding, try different hold positions where your baby places minimal pressure to the left side of his/her head In a highchair, feed your baby from the right side of the chair Sleeping: Baby should sleep on his/her back with head positioned to the right. Do not add any extra rolls or pillows to the crib Place the crib so that if your baby looks left, he/she is staring at a blank wall, and has to look right to see you or a crib toy. Crib toys should be positioned so the baby has to look right to see them and on outside rail only. Crib mobile should be removed. Playing: Lots of tummy time!! Try a few minutes with each diaper change. Keep tops on the right side of your baby during play. Position side-laying on right side during supervised play time as well. Diaper changes and baths: Place your baby on the change table or bath so you are on his/her right side Car seat carrier, swing and bouncy chair: Keep focus to the right side of the vehicle (ie: toys stuck to window) Take your baby out of the infant carrier and placing him/her into a stroller on outings so baby is encouraged to move and look around. When possible, limit time in swing and bouncy chairs. If baby is in swing/bouncy chair, place chair so that if the baby looks left they are staring at a blank wall, and has to look right to see the activity in the room

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 13:38 PM	#9
helen1234 Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Dudley Posts: 7,933	i got really worried bout rhys getting a flat head as he sleeps loads, i asked te hv what she thought and she pointed out loads of babies and the all had slightly flatenned heads, usually peaks around 4-5months and once they start sitting up and geing mobile it generally sorts itself out xx

Status: Offline

Jun 8th, 2009, 14:06 PM	#10
hypnorm Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Stroud, Gloucester Posts: 4,814	Thanks guys that is all very helpful, i know i am probably just a worry head! but we probably all are at some point!!

Status: Offline

User Name		Remember Me?
Password