Flat spot on babies head

[Franco81]

I just wondered if any of you have experience of your little one having a flat area on the back or side of their head?

My twins are nearly four months now and my LG has a very obvious flat area at the back of her head slightly to one side. I know its quite common and comes from just resting in that same spot often but when should I be worried?? Her ear on that side seems to stand out more and I’m finding it hard to get her to lie on the other side. I’m feeding on the other side now and always put her on the side so as to encourage her to turn and look at me or toys but it’s still very obvious and I’m just starting to wonder if there’s more I should do? Or get it looked at by the GP? Or do you think it will even itself out on its own once she’s sitting and moving more?

Any experiences or advice would be very much appreciated xx

[Jenjen84]

Hi Franco81,

I noticed the exact same thing with my little boy at around 4 months. It was very obvious, ears were wonky and he had a very obvious bulge on the same side of the flat spot at the front of his head. As my boy is prem, I spoke to his paediatrician and she said it was very common nowadays and to try and promote sleeping on other side, feeding on other side etc. I would put him in his cot on the non flat side and turn his head as much as possible which in the end worked as he now prefers that side and sleeps on his side or front! His now 6 months and as he is sitting and spending less time on his back, his head shape has improved loads. He still has a slight flat area but it is getting better.

Just keep plugging at it. I was so worried a couple of months ago but it definitely has improved! Xx

[Franco81 in reply to Jenjen84]

That sounds very promising that you were able to encourage your little one so much that he now prefers that side. I’ll keep at it with encouraging her the other way then. Thank you x

[kt_11]

Sounds like you’re doing the right things. As you say, it’s quite common and usually sorts itself out of fairly mild but if you feel she’s struggling to turn her head it’s worth getting GP or HV to have a quick look as they can refer for physio to help with this if needed. x

[Franco81 in reply to kt_11]

Oh great thank you. She can turn her head but it doesn’t seem easy! I think I might ring the GP for an opinion anyway then. I just don’t want it to create a bulge at the front permanently x

[kt_11 in reply to Franco81]

Yeah as I say the milder cases often do go away over time with the measures that you’re already taking but it could be uncomfortable for her if the muscles in her neck are tight so there’s no harm in getting someone to take a look.

You can find some info on the nhs website about it here:

nhs.uk/conditions/plagiocep...

Hope that helps 😊

[Franco81 in reply to kt_11]

Great, thank you so much x

[Kahle]

I panicked about this with my first lb as he had it for so long I was worried it wouldn’t straighten out. Miraculously it did over the upcoming months even though he always choose to sleep on his back, no matter what I did. I don’t know , my mw and doctors weren’t Worried and said unless they reach 12 months and there’s no change then to worry. (Don’t quote me on 12, I’m not 100% sure as this was 6 years ago)

[Franco81 in reply to Kahle]

Ah ok, thank you. It’s good to hear that it evened itself out over time x