Quick Baby Question

[lls_mutant]

Has anyone else had to deal with a flat head on their baby?

Toby's getting a flat spot. Right now, the doctor is recommending repositioning as opposed to a helmet. Great. (Seriously, not sarcastic. I'd much rather go for repositioning.) When Toby is awake, that's fine. I can work with that. It's when he's asleep that I'm having trouble. Even if I put him down with his head facing the opposite way, he'll turn back so he's always in the same position. Plus, he's a squirmer. I just tried propping his head, and don't you know the little squirt squirmed away and went right back to how he prefers?

Has anyone had to do the repositioning thing? What did you do, or what did you use for while the baby is asleep?

Thanks in advance!

Comments

[shaggydogstail.livejournal.com]

Do nothing.

Seriously, Ella's head was all sorts of weird shapes when she was tiny, but it's just...head shaped now. How many adults do you see with flat heads? It'll even out.

As you've already seen, there's not much you can do to make a baby sleep on one side or the other anyway, short of swaddling them. I really wouldn't worry about it.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) I am hoping it will just even out without a problem! I don't think the flat spot is that severe anyway, but hey- when you're a parent you're obligated to worry about something. Next week I'll have a new worry!

No advice

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

just popping in to say that I feel as if I'm raising Toby with you! I'm enjoying your posts on motherhood and am waiting with baited birth for your AIL wip (holy acronym batman) to be finished so that I can read!

Re: No advice

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks- I'm glad people are enjoying it. It's also just nice to know that there are people out there. Toby being a winter baby means I've been pretty isolated for a while- it's hard to get out.

And I'll be glad when AIL is done as well. I'm halfway through part 11, which is definitely a good thing. Fricking novel :)

[misscake]

My son never really developed the flat head problem but I did have a wedge-shaped pillow that went under the crib sheet that I would use when he was sick. It helped to raise his head a bit. You could try that, but as you say, babies are stubborn. They like what they like and you can't reason with them. Most kids I've seen have eventually evened out when they were able to roll onto their stomachs and back on their own.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I might see if I can find a wedgeshaped pillow and try it, because there are times when he's conjested and has a hard time breathing. But I expect he'll scoot right off it and back to his normal position :) Thanks!

[aome.livejournal.com]

When you say you put him with his head facing the opposite way - do you mean you're putting him in exactly the same but, say, you have him turned toward the wall instead of the door? How about putting him in his crib 'backwards' (ie, his head where you'd normally put his feet) - that way, if he prefers to look toward the door, he can still look that way - but his head will automatically turn the opposite direction.

Two has a permanent flat spot - we don't know if it's a birth issue or from lying in her crib. She'll live. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Well, there's two things. I always put him in with his head towards the wall, and Howard always puts him in with his head towards the window. (I'm right handed and Howard's left handed, thus the difference.) Toby always automatically looks to his right. We've tried to put him down with his head facing left, but in five minutes or less he'll turn his head back to how he wants it. He sleeps the same way every time- on his back, head to the right, and arms up. It's kind of funny, really.

Thanks! :)

[medicinal-mirth.livejournal.com]

Joey had the same problem. We used a side sleeper for a while, but once they get wiggly those are useless. So, I basically said the hell with it, and let him sleep on his back as usual. Honestly, it'll all work itself out, his head will go back to normal as he gets older and starts moving around in his sleep. His pediatrician wasn't even worried, just said keep him off the flat spot as much as possible when he was awake. And a helmet? I've never heard of that, and I'm a bit mystified. Toby's head will be fine. :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :)

I did some web research about the helmet, and apparently that's for if the problem is so severe (usually not do to positional placement) that it interferes with brain growth. It's expensive and a pain, as the baby has to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day and it's not always covered by insurance, but it's not always necessary, either. I'm just going with the "keep him off it best I can when he's awake" route, I think! :)