Flat head from sleeping on tummy?

[Plarka]

My baby sleeps on her back at night, but I put her on her tummy all day. Her head seems a little narrow, and flat at the sides. Does sleeping on their tummy make their head flat?

[Cheshire]

How old is your little one. If you are concerned talk to your ped about it. I know there is a certain time when they are little that plagiocephaly can be corrected. A number of different things can cause it - look it up online, you'll find a lot of great info out there.

My daughter had it from birth (her head isn't flat, but asymmetrical and noticeable), caused by the way she was positioned in utero and I had two docs tell me it would clear up (we tried all the positional stuff). Instead of taking her in at 3 months of age when it would have been quicker to fix I waited until finally at her 6 month appt I asked the ped for a referral. She is now wearing a "helmet" and, though I hate it, in just two weeks we've seen a difference. She'll probably have to wear it for three months.

We hope that it clears it up enough that her ears will be symmetrical. It should, but I can't help but wonder how much better it would have been if I had taken her in earlier.

If you're concerned ask your ped to send you to a specialist and then follow your instincts.

Best of luck!

[Plarka]

She's 5 weeks. I don't think it's very noticeable but I'm not sure cause I see her all the time! The health visitor, which is who you see here in the UK, said she looks fine, just her head is a bit narrow and everyone has different shaped heads. Then I started wondering if it's cause I put her on her tummy or just her head shape.

[sapphire_chan]

I can't imagine how being on her tummy would flatten her head, unless you mean her forehead is flat? (Forehead, the part above the eyebrows in case you lot call it something different. )

[Plarka]

When she's on her tummy, she sleeps looking to the side, so she's sleeping on the side of her head. Now that I think about it, I guess they do that when on their backs too. I don't know, I'm tired and can't think straight and am just worrying!