How can I avoid flat spots in my childs head? Shes 4mos, shes gettin a lil one in back of her head.?

Question

I cant hold her all day and she loves her bouncy seat, wat should i do? I have started to put her on sides when sleepin she doesnt really like it but we'll see...i also put her in her bumbo chair for like 1/2 hr or so 2 times day. Is it normal to have lil flap spots? My other kids didnt. Did yours?

Answer 1

they make helmet for that now. but its normal. my son did. but i think its shaped OK now. if your that worried talk to your Dr. about it.  GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

Its very normal. Dont stress about it, it will round out when bubs is a bit older. If she likes sleeping on her back, let her go :)

Wont do any damage.

Been told this by doctors and midwives

Answer 3

my son had a flat spot on the back of his head, because he didn't like tummy time.  He had acid reflux, so that would explain that.  when he started crawling and sitting up, the spot even out.  I hope that would be the case with your daughter.

Answer 4

that is normal. it will most likely even out after she starts sitting instead of laying down a lot. both of my kids had the same thing but they don't now.

Answer 5

its from laying on it soo much.  Its ok, get her to sit up more and try and get to be on her tummy.  Play and encourage her to do theses things, it will help the spot to go away sooner.  

I put my son on his tummy pretty early, it also helped him to learn from an new born to move his head, side to side to help him look around better.  

I would lay on one side and my husband on the other and we would encourage him to look at both of us forcing him to move his head both sides.  It will work on their back also.

You can put an pillow under her and let her sit up partly.  it will help also.

Each child is different, I know that both my nephew and friends baby had flat spots.  They out grew them as they got older. the skull should fill it in over time.

Answer 6

It is normal, and it will go away.  Flat spots are alot more common now with the "back to sleep" campagin, promoting babies to sleep on their backs to avoid sids related deaths.  It's pretty hard to avoid having their heads on a flat surface becasue  young babies sleep so much, and spend lots of time in cribs, playpens, swings and bouncy seats.  

One suggestion is to buy a sling or baby carrier and use that in place of some of your bouncy chair time.  

Don't worry, they will go away.

Answer 7

It's normal but should be avoided.... It will eventually become normal again. What I did is lay my son on a different side everytime he slept, so it would even out.

Answer 8

Put her in a stationary activity center that she can bounce in and play with the attached toys when you need to put her down.  Most babies this age love this because it lets them sit up and watch whats going on in the room.  When you have to lay her down, put her on her stomach.

I have always felt bad for the flat head babies.  I always felt like it was proof that they were always sitting in their car seat/carrier.  Good for you for trying to fix the problem.

PS  I have a friend whose baby had a very flat head in the back because he would only sleep in his car seat. It didn't go away.  He's 14 and still has a flat head.   I have also seen other older kids with the same problem. It might not go away despite what a doctor says.

Answer 9

I wouldn't say that it is normal necessarily. Sometimes the flat spots do end up forming correctly eventually, but most times they don't. Your baby definitely needs tummy time. At least four times a day in 15 minutes sessions. You can get her one of those adjusters that you put in her crib so that she can lay on her side. She may not like it, but she probably won't like a flat head as she gets older. I know there isn't much you can do about it at night, but during the day really keep her up and not on her back. Next time you see your pediatrician, ask him if he sees a cause for concern at this time. If not, then just keep monitoring the spot to make sure it doesn't get worse. If you don't see any change by your next appt with the Dr. ask again. And if you are really concerned you can call a pediatric physical therapy facility in your area and request an evaluation. Sometimes a flat head can be the beginning of problems, sometimes its just normal, but they can tell you which one it is for your little one. Also, you don't typically need a referral from your Dr. to have an evaluation done FYI.

Answer 10

For many reasons, including this one, it is important that when she is awake she spends time on her tummy. Put put toys within her reach, stay down on the floor with her and keep her company. It will help develop her chest and arm muscles and also help with the flat spot. In general, babies are better off down on the floor where they can move and explore, rather than in anything such as seats, saucers etc..Also, when she is in her crib alternate the end of the crib her head is in which will make her turn it in different directions.

Answer 11

Does she like tummy time? Try getting her on her tummy at least a few times a day for at least 10 minutes or more. My daughter's pediatrician told me that her flat spot is normal but I am asking again when I go this Friday for her 4 month check up.