Please help. My baby's head may need treatment?

Question

My daughter is 10 months old and her head is a bit flat at the back. It's not really that noticeable and it seems to be getting better since she has been sleeping on her front/side but the HV has recommended that she goes to a physiotherapist about it. Her appointment is tomorrow. Has anyone else had to take their child to a physio for this reason? What happened at the appointment and what (if any) treatment was necessary? Thanks!

Answer 1

The physio you have been referred to may be trained in cranial osteopathy - this is where gentle pressure is put on your baby's head to make sure all the bones are in the right place and forming properly. It might sound as if your baby is going to get his/her head squeezed but it is more like them getting a gentle head massage.

I took my son to see a cranial osteopath when he was just a few weeks old and it was fine. The treatment can help relieve pressure in the baby's head and will make sure all the bones are knitting together properly. It can often make a big difference if your baby has trouble feeding or sleeping and the treatment looks quite relaxing and shouldn't scare you or your baby.

Don't worry - it will be fine. It sounds like your HV is just being careful.

Answer 2

My auntie is a part-time nanny and she sometimes took the kids to our house. One of the kids she looks after has the same problem - his head was flat at the back. He didn't really need treatment - he wore a corrector all day though, and it's basically a helmet sort of thing. He got just 3 hours (as far as I can remember) rest from wearing it a day, and he wore it until he was around 4.

Answer 3

a friend of mines son had this same problem, his head wasn't super flat but it was noticable. he wore this cute helmet for about a month.  his head is perfect looking now.

don't worry!

Answer 4

Keep the appointment and ask someone who knows his/her business AND who can see the kid in person.

Answer 5

Hi Stop stressing now! My daughter had a very straight sheer head to one side where she had sleep on it! I saw the top cranial facial consultant at oxford john radcliffes hosp, as i was in there anyway having her cleft palate operated on! I had people very concerned over her head shape! But he completely put my mind at rest! He said that babies sleep on their backs more now, and a lot of babies are having this problem! He recomended nothing! No helmet or anything! No operation! I would say it will correct its self to a certain extent! I have had so many drs looking at my daughters head as she had this cleft palate, and basically they all listened to me when i told them what this top consultant said! PLEASE DONT STRESS!!!! I WENT THROUGH h**l WORRYING! Health visitors, do not really know what they are talking about! Even if they refer you to hosp! DONT worry, they only thing he did say was check near their ears, if the skull seems to be folding there, it may need operating! good luck , email me if you need more help!

Answer 6

It is just cosmetic. When her hair grows it will be un noticable, It will most likely even its self out.

I find parents now a days panick over silly little things...But HVs make it worse! I'm not saying you are as you sound like your not a panik about all things mum. But it does sound like you have a panik about all things health visitor lol.

Good luck it will all be alright