Flat head from sleeping on back?

[Darrietta]

I am just wondering if anyone has or had this issue and did it go away by itself or should I look at side sleeping? DS2 had torticollis, and had physio to help to stretch out the muscles, and because he always turns his head to one side when he sleeps his head looks misshapen, with a flattening section on the side. He is 6 months now, and when he's awake I make sure he's sitting or standing and I've been trying to encourage him to turn his head the other way when he sleeps by putting something to look at on the other side of the cot, but he still ends up sleeping on that same spot. I know sids recommends only back sleeping, but I have heard of people putting their bubs to sleep on their sides. Not sure if it would work anyway, but I'm interested to know if anyone else had this problem and if it went away!?

[CaelsMum]

My DS had really bad torticollis and had physio and also had to have a helmet. I strongly believe that it would not have gone away by itself because he would not stay the way he was positioned to try to remedy it. With the aid of physio and a helmet he now has no problems and his head is perfect. Unfortunately I now have DD with a flat head but no torticollis and she refuses to stay in recommended positions and she is also getting a helmet as I believe it would take months of being in these positions 24/7 before it starts to show any signs of normality and the older she gets the less likely the outcome will be as good.

However, some people claim to have it go away just with repositioning. Good luck!

[Amara]

My son had a very flat spot on his head from favoring sleeping on one side.

I bought a sleep positioner from a baby shop & basically it just angles their head a little differently. I found that he rolled out of it quite a bit but it did seem to help somewhat.

I just kept him on his tummy whenever possible (the MCHN said that's fine once they can roll).

I can't notice the flat spot anymore, maybe it's there under his hair, not sure, but it's certainly not at all apparent & it was very noticeable before. He's only 13 months old so it's not like it's taken that long to come good on it's own.

[JesseBear]

My little girl is 9 weeks and is starting to develop a flat head. I try to reposition her head on it's side when she is sleeping but she always ends up bring her head back to the middle. I also try to keep her on her tummy during up time but she hates it and protests very loundly :).
Somebody at my partners work said that putting a lambskin rug in their cot or bassinet and having them sleep on that will stop flat head from occurring. I haven't tried it yet but will start tonight to see if it makes a difference.

If anybody has heard of this and tried it and it worked please let me know.

[bumMum]

yes my son had this.
it will improve on it's own don't worry! once he becomes more active and moves in his sleep and starts to enjoy tummy time etc. try alternating sides he sleeps on just roll up a blankie and position it just under the other side. It is very hard to correct when they are so young.. but as he gets older it will get better. speak to your community health nurse I took my son to a few classes for babies with this problem.. it began with a P.. lol.. sorry.. they were free and we learnt different ways to promote tummy time, time on the side etc etc. very helpful!
good luck