Flat Spot Baby, What To Do With Him?

[MCC]

I have a 4 month old, has been here since he was 6 weeks old. He started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks, 9-10 hour stretches, and we all think this is how this happened.

DCM said the DR is talking about a helmet, but they want to give it a month. She is requesting that I never lay him on his back unless he is being changed or sleeping. They don't want him in a swing or chair, but are okay with a bumbo or exersaucer (as long as his head is free)

The problem is, he is 4 months old, he isn't sitting yet, and he screams when he is on his tummy. So I'm either carrying him all day, or he is in the bumbo. We have an exersaucer, but it's in our large motor room, and we only go in there for about 40 minutes a day. I'm trying to be accommodating, but I also have to tend to the preschoolers, and I'm feeling trapped with this little guy in my arms. He only takes 2, 1 hour naps here, so the rest of the day I'm left to figure out what to do with him. He is VERY content to lay on his back and watch the kids run around, but that's not supposed to be happening anymore.

Any thoughts? Have any of you dealt with flat spot babies before? I'm also worried that all this holding is going to make it much more difficult to get him to play independently once he is crawling/sitting.

[preschoolteacher]

I would not be able to accommodate that. Quite frankly, a 4 month old seems much too young to be propped up in a Bumbo or Exersaucer for long periods of time. It's an unnatural position for a child that young to be in for long stretches.

I'd give the baby the recommended amount of tummy time (supervised) each day, but I would not be okay putting him in something meant for an older child or having to hold him all day long. I would have to imagine you're not getting paid extra to do that?? It's hard enough to take care of 1 infant like that, let along the other kids you are responsible for. They might want to think about a nanny if that is what they require for this little guy.

If he's on his back, you can rotate him so that his head is not always turned the same way when he watches the other kids.

You could get a full-length mirror and lay it the long way so that when he's on his tummy, he can see himself in the mirror! That might make him like tummy time more, but he really is too young to be in tummy time for very long.

What about sitting/propping him in a Boppy pillow? To me, it is not so upright as the Bumbo/Exersaucer but still would avoid putting pressure on his head.

[MCC]

I would not be able to accommodate that. Quite frankly, a 4 month old seems much too young to be propped up in a Bumbo or Exersaucer for long periods of time. It's an unnatural position for a child that young to be in for long stretches.

I'd give the baby the recommended amount of tummy time (supervised) each day, but I would not be okay putting him in something meant for an older child or having to hold him all day long. I would have to imagine you're not getting paid extra to do that?? It's hard enough to take care of 1 infant like that, let along the other kids you are responsible for. They might want to think about a nanny if that is what they require for this little guy.

If he's on his back, you can rotate him so that his head is not always turned the same way when he watches the other kids.

You could get a full-length mirror and lay it the long way so that when he's on his tummy, he can see himself in the mirror! That might make him like tummy time more, but he really is too young to be in tummy time for very long.

What about sitting/propping him in a Boppy pillow? To me, it is not so upright as the Bumbo/Exersaucer but still would avoid putting pressure on his head.

I have a boppy, I could see what they think about that. I think I might have to have a serious talk with his parents about this. They are a great family, but I'm not sure I'm equipped for this, not to mention the helmet! My friend's kid had a helmet, and he pretty much didn't nap for the whole 9 months he had it.

[Cradle2crayons]

Flat head issues are common, however, in order to treat and improve it, you don't have to keep him off his back 24/7.

Basically all u should do is reposition his head. When you put him on his back, turn his head to the side. This works easily if you out one of those ocean tank toy thinks or something similar on one side or the other. Also, repositioning e crib mobile at home, if they have one.

Then also, frequent supervised tummy time.

Boppys are great because they take pressure off the back of the head.

The parents are making it much more complicated than it needs to be.

The main thing is dont let his head be straight vertical every minute of the day. Frequent changes of position is all that needs to be done.

Here are some helpful (I hope) links.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_plagiocephaly-flat-head-syndrome_1187981.bc?page=2

And

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/28/new-advice-to-prevent-and-correct-flat-head-syndrome-in-babies/

And

http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/positional_plagiocephaly.html#

[Crystal]

It won't hurt him to scream while he is on his tummy. I'd be doing ALOT more tummy time. He will eventually start enjoying it and the screaming will subside. You may also consider getting a baby carrier and wearing him rather than just carrying him. I would still limit the amount of carrying and do more tummy time, but a carrier will make it easier on your back, etc. and will allow you to have your hands free when you do carry him.

[MCC]

Thanks for the links. I will pass them along to his parents as well.

His spot is pretty bad, like you could rest a drink on it...

I used a baby carrier for my DD non stop, but I can't figure out how to have him in it, and sit on the floor with the others. I find it so cumbersome to sit down in that thing. I have an Ergo, so maybe there is a better option?

[Crazy8]

a 4 month old can not be expected to hold their head up all day except for naps! Those big heads on those tiny bodies are heavy, LOL! Seriously though, that's too much for the baby much less for you! Just changing the position of his head should be enough in addition to a reasonable amount of time on his tummy, in exersaucer, etc.

[LoraJenkins]

The 22month old I have now came to me with a bad flat spot. He got his helmet 2 weeks after. I just made sure the first 2weeks to rotate his head if he was laying down. The helmet was really easy to take on and off. He had no issues napping with it on. Just follow the directions as far as the adjustment period to the helmet and he should be able to sleep in it comfortably.

[Heidi]

My little dcb is 8 months, and his head if extremely flat in back. Despite what the internet says, his doctor is not concerned at all. Weird. Visitors to the dc always comment on it.

His motor skills are a little slow, but progressing. He spends way less time on his back now that he's sitting up and more comfortable on his belly. Trying to learn to crawl...

Poor guy is completely bald, too, so he looks a bit like Patrick Stewart. Maybe I'm just used to it, but it does seem to be getting better...

[Cradle2crayons]

My little dcb is 8 months, and his head if extremely flat in back. Despite what the internet says, his doctor is not concerned at all. Weird. Visitors to the dc always comment on it.

His motor skills are a little slow, but progressing. He spends way less time on his back now that he's sitting up and more comfortable on his belly. Trying to learn to crawl...

Poor guy is completely bald, too, so he looks a bit like Patrick Stewart. Maybe I'm just used to it, but it does seem to be getting better...

Once they are sitting up and crawling the flattening does improve but it does take time. The older they are the slower the bones fix themselves. When they are really young like 3 months or so, the bones are softer so they re shape a little quicker.

I always thought Patrick was hot.. So I'll bet your little one is a cute little bugger, flat head or not!!

[Heidi]

Once they are sitting up and crawling the flattening does improve but it does take time. The older they are the slower the bones fix themselves. When they are really young like 3 months or so, the bones are softer so they re shape a little quicker.

I always thought Patrick was hot.. So I'll bet your little one is a cute little bugger, flat head or not!!

Yes ma'am he is, the most beautiful blue eyes and long lashes, and one of the flirtiest babies I've ever had.

[Cradle2crayons]

Yes ma'am he is, the most beautiful blue eyes and long lashes, and one of the flirtiest babies I've ever had.

How adorable!! I love bald babies!!!

[crunchymama]

I saw a thing on Facebook just yesterday about flat head and a new product called tortle. Its a little beanie hat. http://www.tortle.com/home_s/1819.htm
I'd at least run it by his parents.

[Familycare71]

I have a boppy, I could see what they think about that. I think I might have to have a serious talk with his parents about this. They are a great family, but I'm not sure I'm equipped for this, not to mention the helmet! My friend's kid had a helmet, and he pretty much didn't nap for the whole 9 months he had it.

I just had a dcb who had a helmet for a flat spot. He could have cared less that it was on. The only time he fussed was putting on or taking it off which I did minimally. I wouldn't worry about that.
My dcb had such a big/severe spot that we couldn't get him to keep his head in a different position.

[Shell]

Trying to keep a young baby off of its back is a full time job! The other suggestions on here already are great. You do need to reposition the baby every time he lays down, so his head is not on the flat side (turn his head to the right if the spot is on the left). In my state, we need a dr's note to allow children to sleep in any other position besides back sleeping. However, they can prop the child on his side using blankets to keep him in place at home, this may be too much of a liability for you during the day. I also agree with the suggestion of more tummy time-he will get used to it- you will have to deal with the screaming until he does I have also read that you can put a magazine behind the baby while he's in the bumbo for head and neck support-though I've never tried it. They say the human head wants to be round, so it should round itself out, but despite all your efforts, he may still need a helmet.