Flat spot

[mamama]

Ok, so I know I'm probably being a nervous first time mom on this one but DS has a small flat spot on the back of his head. I've seen this on other people's babies. If he sleeps on his back as he's supposed to do then it's pretty unavoidable, right? Is there anything I should do to help keep the flattening to a minimum? I try to put him on his tummy some during the day, buut he doesn't put up with it for very long. Is this even worth worrying about?

[TheDivineMissE]

I'm not sure if it's worth worrying about if it's very small. But, I admittedly know nothing about flat spots, I just didn't want your question to go unanswered. Sounds like you're doing all you can - maybe lay him on his side while he's sleeping to see if that helps or let him sleep in a sling for a while?

[runner29]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. But I have read that some doctors will fit babies with special "helmets" to reshape their heads or keep them from getting flat or maybe both I can't remember for sure.

I thought that seemed a little extreme. I'm not sure if there's a medical reason that they do it or just vanity. I'm guessing the kid's head would eventually unflatten. )

[OMama]

From what I've heard there is a medical reason for preventing it and correcting it. It can affect brain development and growth if really severe. DD had a slight flat spot when she was very young and now her head is fine. Just try to make sure your babe isn't sleeping the same way all the time -- being upright, on his side, head turned both ways, etc. I'd ask my doc at the next visit too.

[PuppyFluffer]

I have heard that there is a much higher incidence of this in babies now. I think the "back to sleep" movement has something to do with it but I also wonder about the long periods of time that many infants spend in car seats. Newborns and young babies sleep the vast portion of a 24 hour period. I see many babies never being removed from their car seats when they are out in public. Some families use them to carry the baby, while shopping, while having dinner at a restaurant etc. I have heard of people carrying a sleeping baby in from the car in the seat to avoid waking them. I know that some babies with reflux do better if they can sleep slightly upright and parents use the carseat for sleeping too. It's a lot of time for a baby to be on their backs and consequently the back of their head gets the most pressure.

I'm not saying that the OP's child spends a lot of time in a car seat - just that today many kids now do.

[mamadeb]

I've heard there are some pillows for the babes head that can help prevent it with the "back to sleep" issue. However, in the Sears books, side sleeping is also a way to deal with it. Roll some receiving blankets up in front and back of babe and have them sleep on each side to allow the pressure to be more evenly distributed.

Seats - car seats, play seats, etc... also contribute. Can try to decrease time in those if they are something that DC is spending time in during the day.