When does the 'preemie head' go away?

[BethLS]

My DD has been home for a little over two weeks, and I was just curious how long it takes for their heads to get 'less long'. I've heard this is common in preemies, especially those that were on the cpap for an extended period of time. She doesn't have an overly large head or anything ( ) just like instead of growing outward, it grew backward.

Thanks!

[munkeesmama]

Originally Posted by BethLS

My DD has been home for a little over two weeks, and I was just curious how long it takes for their heads to get 'less long'. I've heard this is common in preemies, especially those that were on the cpap for an extended period of time. She doesn't have an overly large head or anything ( ) just like instead of growing outward, it grew backward.

Thanks!

My daughter's head is finally rounded out. she is 5 months, 2 months adjusted age. She does have a rather large forehead though. Oh, and she was never on cpap. She was on the vent than nasal canula.

[crissei]

My DS head is still a little longish but looks pretty normal. He was only on CPCP for a day or two. But I could never get him to sleep on the back of his head, I still can't.

[liberal_chick]

My ped called it "toaster head." LOL I think ds' went away around 4 months actual, 2 adjusted.

M.

[mimid]

My girls were all pretty well rounded, but then again, they weren't on CPAP and were pretty clost to term compared to some of the others here. We did have the buggy eyes. They all outgrew it about a month after birth (about 38 weeks cga) but Shira still has it a bit. I think it is just how she looks KWIM? It is definately less pronounced.

[5xmom]

Joey still has it!

[boscopup]

I just looked back at pics of DS, and I really can't tell! He has a long face still, but so do I, so I think his is genetic. DH's face is fairly long too. Looks like around 11-12 weeks, it's definitely a bit rounder... He was 10.5 weeks early. But he was not on CPAP or other stuff... Just a vent the first 12 hours or so, and then he was breathing on his own (thank you steroids). Oh, and the nurses rotated him like a rotisserie every 3 hours, so he got to sleep on back, left side, tummy, right side. He never did get the baby chub that much though. I've seen preemies who chubbed right up, even ones born at the same gestation as him. He just never did. The only place he chubbed was his tummy!

[mykdsmomy]

my ds is 6 and his head is still a little funky......he spent 3 1/2 months in the nicu

[jenmparrott]

We still seem to have toaster head but it isnt that noticable unless you are familar with preemies.

Jennifer

[Arien]

Can anyone tell me why is it that preemies get that "preemie head"? My girlfriend just had her baby at 36 weeks, but weighed only 1182 grams. The baby is tiny, she got conflicting reasons for the baby's small size from the obs and the pedi, so the reason is unknown. The baby's doing okay, still in the NICU, but gaining weight slowly, but the baby has that undeniable "preemie head" why is that why does it occur?

Thanks

[crissei]

Originally Posted by Arien

Can anyone tell me why is it that preemies get that "preemie head"? My girlfriend just had her baby at 36 weeks, but weighed only 1182 grams. The baby is tiny, she got conflicting reasons for the baby's small size from the obs and the pedi, so the reason is unknown. The baby's doing okay, still in the NICU, but gaining weight slowly, but the baby has that undeniable "preemie head" why is that why does it occur?

Thanks

It has to do with their super-fast growth at that age.
You know how when pumpkins grow, they get flat on whatever side touches the ground?
The womb is sort of a weightless enviroment so there is not pressure on one particular area. When they are in a bed, their heads are still growing really fast but, since they are laying on the sides of their head all of the time, it grows into the "toaster" shape/

Hmmm... just had a thought... I wonder if the word "squash" came about because of how "squash, the vegetable" grows?