Worried about baby's head shape

[halullat]

I'm worried that my LO might have craniosynostosis, his head shape appears to have changed since birth and from above it looks like a pear drop with the narrower part at the front.

The picture of his whole head is from when he was just over a week old and the one of just the back is from when he was 3 weeks old. The one from the front is of him at 6 weeks (a couple of days ago) and you can see slightly how his temples look slightly pinched.

I'm feeling very concerned and scared x

 

[kirstybumx3]

I got a little worried about rio's flat head at the back after a post on here, I know it's not the same as your problem but my hv when I asked reassured me that unless baby's head really doesn't look like a head at all (no idea really what she meant) then it's probably fine and will correct itself.
Babies skulls are still quite flexible so young and will sort of mould depending on how they lie etc.
perhaps you could just mention it to your hv next time you get lo weighed. Or if you are really worried make an appointment with a doctor, but try not to get too stressed.
Your lo is beautiful btw.

 

[kirstybumx3]

I've just done a bit of googling on craniosynostosis as I wasn't very familiar with it, I can see why you might have concerns and if it was me I probably would just check too. But please don't worry too much, babies are good at doing these things to us when there's actually nothing at all to be concerned about hope all turns out just fine x

 

[halullat]

Thank you, I did ask midwives and they asked if it has always been shaped the same as in the three week photo and I thought it had been because I hadn't noticed the change as it happened so they said then it's probably nothing to worry about. I feel so guilty that I was wrong and his head has changed shape.

Some of the babies with craniosynostosis have head shapes that are quite severely affected so perhaps that is what your hv was referring to.

The condition also can cause raised intracranial pressure but I don't know whether that is in the more severe cases but I have had problems with intracranial pressure so makes me worry that I may have had a mild case and passed it on x

 

[_jellybean_]

I would take lo to see his doctor hon. I don't know anything about this, but I can see what you're talking about in the picture of your little one. I hope everything is okay.

 

[halullat]

It;s worrying me so much, I just want to cry, I think the bump is even bigger now at six weeks compared to the three week photo. I feel so incredibly terrible and as though I have really let him down x

 

[counting]

This is basically what shape my sons head is.He is 8 months and fine. I'll see if I can find some pics.

 

[counting]

Pinched in temples:
https://i60.tinypic.com/2zsmj9i.jpg

Bump on back of head(less noticeable as his hair started growing in here):
https://i59.tinypic.com/2zgg16o.jpg

And proof it changed shape since birth, here he is brand new:
https://i59.tinypic.com/fmua29.jpg

You can't even tell now that he has hair. Plus it rounded out a bit again I think. This is common in babies, but babies who spend a lot of time on their backs sometimes have it flatten out some. If you are worried by all means have it seen, just want you to know it can be perfectly normal. Also if you had a vaginal delivery, baby is going to have head shape change in the days/weeks after birth. His head will have been swollen and the skull plates moved around to allow him to exit the birth canal. Head shape can and SHOULD change a little after a vaginal delivery!

(See he looks like a normal kid even with the head shape!):
https://i60.tinypic.com/10e3g8x.jpg

 

[mummytobe_93]

My friends baby had this she kept taking her to the doctors and they kept dismissing it until eventually she went to hospital with an unrelated Chest infection and a doctor picked it up. His mum had the choice to get surgery on his head as it may have caused pressure on his brain. He had the operation and is completely fine. This may also be linked with a high palette. He is to be seen by a genesis!

 

[mummytobe_93]

Also your Los head doesn't look anywhere near as bad as my friends baby. But do see a dr to ease your mind or to sort it if there is a potential problem

 

[Pink Petals]

My DS has slightly pinched in temples. I asked my Doctor and she said he was fine.

Ask your doctor for your own reassurance and peace of mind.

 

[halullat]

Thank you all for your replies, the other day when he cried I thought he had a very high palette, but my Nan does too so I put it down to that but maybe it is related.

Counting, thank you for sharing your pictures, your LO is beautiful! I had an emergency c-section due to failure to progress so I didn't think his head shape would have to change all that much and I keep worrying that perhaps if his skull was fused perhaps that is why he never really engaged.

The weekend is feeling very long x

 

[liz1985]

The baby brother of a child I looked after had this. He had other symptoms as well, he cried a lot, really high pitched like he was in pain, but I mean a lot, and was sick a lot as well. These were caused from the pressure on his brain causing headaches. I dont know if his case was severe? Or if all babies with it have those symptoms I dont know much about it, but his was picked up really early within a couple of weeks so I'd try not to worry too much, if no health professional have noticed anything. I would definitely make an appointment with your gp though if only to put your mind at rest.

 

[halullat]

Thank you, he seems to be a really placid baby he only sometimes gets a bit agitated when I try to breastfeed him when he is hungry and tired. So at least he doesn't seem to be in any pain thankfully. I shall try to get an appointment on Monday all being well x

 

[halullat]

I saw the GP today and he couldn't feel a separate plate on my LO's skull where he should be able to so he is referring us to a paediatrician. I had so hoped I would go and be told that he seemed fine. I keep getting teary, I wish I had pushed it earlier as I thought the bump looked a bit odd hence me asking but just took what people said too easily. Sorry I keep going on about it, I just feel a bit like I'm floundering right now x

 

[MrsButterfly]

don't beat yourself up - he's getting good care now through the GP and that's down to you. You've been a great mumma x

 

[tristansmum]

One of my best friends son had this! Firstly don't feel guilty! He is being referred to the right help early! My friend's lo was much older before it was picked up.... Closer to 6 months I think. He had the operation just before he turned 1. He recovered well from the operation and is almost 4 and has been discharged from the consultant. You cant tell he used to have it and his was quite serve... The top of his head was pointed.
Hope this reassures you a little x

 

[halullat]

It does, thank you so much. I have been feeling so alone with it really, so hearing about positive stories is a massive help. I can't bear the thought of him being scared or in pain, he means the world to me and I just want to be able to help him. I then keep feeling stupid because I don't even know if he has craniosynostosis x

 

[tristansmum]

It does, thank you so much. I have been feeling so alone with it really, so hearing about positive stories is a massive help. I can't bear the thought of him being scared or in pain, he means the world to me and I just want to be able to help him. I then keep feeling stupid because I don't even know if he has craniosynostosis x

Oh that's no stupid at all. Wouldn't be normal if you weren't worrying! As you say it might not even be craniosynostosis but if it is you will get all the help you need. Jake does have a scar but it's the top of his head and totally covered by hair. You can't see it at all and never will unless he shaves his head when he is older. My friend was obviously worried but she said everyone was amazing to support them all. Instally after the operation he was upset but settled quickly and had all the pain killers he needed and they were Home 2 or 3 days afterwards (can't remember). She said it was amazing how well he coped and I think kids just take things in their stride. It's harder for the parents. X

 

[summer rain]

Looks completely normal to me. It's quite normal for the different plates in their skull to appear to not quite fit together properly or even overlap slightly in the first 2-3 months, they were squashed together for the birth and it can take some time for it to settle. Also the bump at the back this is normal all of mine had this except my youngest as he had a softer skull, my others though the back of their head wasn't moulded by anything whatsoever. I was then paranoid with my youngest that he had too much of a flat head at the back, as he has got bigger it has got more rounded at the back and looks normal now xx