in January 2025 Babies 🇬🇧

Flat head - when to be concerned

Hey, I’m a bit embarrassed about this and feel the HV & GP aren’t overly concerned but my little boy is 10 weeks old and has a very noticeable flat head on one side. He was very sleepy for weeks after he was born due to Jaundice (which took almost three weeks to improve) and painful head due to forceps delivery so would only settle laying on a certain side. I’ve tried everything they have suggested, more tummy time (which he hates) contact naps during the day. Limited time in containers, feeding on the opposite side, using the wrap more. When he is sleeping I turn his head but he puts its back on the flat side within minutes unless I support it, which isn’t feasible if I want sleep. Is there anything more I can be doing? I can’t help but feel it’s my fault and I’m not doing enough to rectify it, HV & GP state it will improve but it hasn’t changed at all in the last 3 weeks. Will it take longer? And when should I be concerned? Thanks for any suggestions/advice in advance 😊

Show your support

Don’t feel embarrassed 🫶🏻 My baby girl has a noticeable flat side too, have and continue to do all the things you’ve been doing… I also have one of those halo pillows which I know is controversial but doctor said they’re fine to use. I feel the same as you, doctor doesn’t seem concerned and after having a second opinion 4 weeks apart she told me “it will take longer than this to start seeing a difference. It can take up to when they’re 1 year old and even then you might not see a great improvement and I’m doing all the right things.” I’m seeing the HV this week because I don’t feel it should be left. Everything you read says the best time to improve your baby’s head shape is from 4-6 months so I do feel I need a 3rd opinion too. Sorry I know that’s not any advice but just to say I’m in the same boat too. x

I don’t have the exact same problem but my little one was born via forceps and I found he would only favour turning his head one side rather than the other, he would also hate tummy time and had other problems (crying alot, tense, arching back, rolling to one side alot) I was talking to another mum about it and she suggested taking him to a baby specialised chiropractor! Well I can’t tell you how much he’s changed! He had 4 sessions over a 6 week period (he’s 11 weeks old now) and she explained that when baby’s have a intense birth eg forceps, it puts so much strain and tension on their bodies! And most forcep baby’s had it in the face and neck! My baby’s neck muscles were so tight, particularly on one side which explained why he favoured turning one way. He now happily looks and leaves his head on both sides and enjoys tummy time! (I mean only about 5 mins but that’s better!) He also seems so much happier in his self and more smiley!! Defo worth looking into x

My friend suggested using mustard baby pillow it is available on Amazon but honestly I didn't used my self since baby seems okay

We're seeing an osteopath for our little girl as she favours one side more and has a slight flat head too. Osteopath says depending on birth circumstances babies can have tension/movement restrictions that need to be loosened for them to relax and stop favouring one side. Good luck!

Thank you all for replying to me, that is all really helpful! Nice to know I’m not the only one, feel like every baby I see has a perfect round head. I’m gonna speak to the GP/HV and see what I can do next. Thanks again 🥰

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌

‌

‌
‌