New to group- dd has flat spot...

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I am new to the group... My dd's pediatric NP stated at her 2 mo

checkup that she has a flat spot on the side of her head, and did

she favor a certain side? She doesn't seem to favor a side, and to

us, it seems like the flat spot is on the back of her head, not the

side. The pediatric NP did not mention plagio, but said we have to

start turning her head.

The problem is, whenever we lay her on her side, she rolls on to

her back. Also, sometimes she cannot sleep unless she is in her

swing, which puts pressure on her head.

How do we correct the flat spot when she spends a good amount of

time either in her swing, her bouncy seat, or carrier? We do hold

her a lot, and give her tummy time.

TIA!!

Katelyn 11/14/03

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The only ways to correct her head shape is to either keep her off of

her flat spot AT ALL TIMES through aggressive repositioning. It's

hard work that must be done 24/7 but it does work if you're diligent.

The other way is through a band or helmet. There are active bands,

the DOCband, you can learn more about it by going here:

http://www.cranialtech.com/

The STARband is active too, you can learn more about it by going here:

http://www.orthomerica.com/

The active bands work faster then the passive helmets because they

redirect the growth of the head through gentle pressure not felt by

the baby.

There are also passive helmets that are locally made.

A passive helmet sits on the baby's head and eventually the baby's

head will grow into the shape of the helmet, round.

There is also passive helmets that are locally made. Where are you

located? We may have a member in your area.

Keep us posted on your daughter.

-- In Plagiocephaly , " mommy2katiebaby "

<mommy2katiebaby@y...> wrote:

> Hi!

> I am new to the group... My dd's pediatric NP stated at her 2 mo

> checkup that she has a flat spot on the side of her head, and did

> she favor a certain side? She doesn't seem to favor a side, and to

> us, it seems like the flat spot is on the back of her head, not the

> side. The pediatric NP did not mention plagio, but said we have to

> start turning her head.

> The problem is, whenever we lay her on her side, she rolls on to

> her back. Also, sometimes she cannot sleep unless she is in her

> swing, which puts pressure on her head.

> How do we correct the flat spot when she spends a good amount of

> time either in her swing, her bouncy seat, or carrier? We do hold

> her a lot, and give her tummy time.

>

> TIA!!

>

> Katelyn 11/14/03

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I see that has already given you some information but let me

add that you will have to do away with the swing/bouncy chair/car

seat as much as possible. You don't want any extra pressure on the

back of her head. We have several repositioning product ideas in the

FILES section. Your daughter is at a great age to start

repositioning. Please ask questions if needed, Natasha

> Hi!

> I am new to the group... My dd's pediatric NP stated at her 2 mo

> checkup that she has a flat spot on the side of her head, and did

> she favor a certain side? She doesn't seem to favor a side, and to

> us, it seems like the flat spot is on the back of her head, not the

> side. The pediatric NP did not mention plagio, but said we have to

> start turning her head.

> The problem is, whenever we lay her on her side, she rolls on to

> her back. Also, sometimes she cannot sleep unless she is in her

> swing, which puts pressure on her head.

> How do we correct the flat spot when she spends a good amount of

> time either in her swing, her bouncy seat, or carrier? We do hold

> her a lot, and give her tummy time.

>

> TIA!!

>

> Katelyn 11/14/03

[Guest guest]

Hi !

Welcome to the group. I hope we can help you with some of your

questions.

Plagiocephaly is flatness on one side of the back of the head.

Brachycephaly is flatness all across the back of the head. Does

that sound like what you see with Katelyn? We have members here

whose babies have brachy, or a combination of brachy and plagio, too.

The advice that your ped np gave you about " turning her head " is a

seriously watered down way of recommending " aggressive

repositioning. " Repo is a difficult, 24 hour a day, 7 day a week

lifestyle change where you keep the baby off of the flat spot as

much as humanly possible. You are right, that sleeping in the swing

is probably seriously undermining any effort you are trying to make

to keep your daughter off of her flat spot. We used repo only to

treat our daughter Remy's plagio (if you would like to see her

progress photos, go to the PHOTOS/BEFORE AND AFTER/REPOSITIONED

folder.) We did not use a swing or bouncie seat at all. However,

for parents of younger babies, it might not be practical to

eliminate these devices entirely. You should try to keep this use

to an absolute minimum, and there are a few things you can use to

repo her head while in these devices. You can use a square of

memory foam in the swing or bouncie to help cushion the head, a neck

ring to help with head positioning, a noggin nest inserted to help

cushion her head, or a rolled up towel to prop her head to one side

or the other off of the flat area on the back of her head. A new

alternative to the bouncie is the Bumbo Baby Seat, which is a

specially designed seat for babies 6 weeks or older. These and

other repo products can be found at LINKS/REPOSITIONING folder. We

also have a member who just posted some photos of using a rectangle

of foam behind her baby's neck in the bouncie that keeps the head

off of the back of the bouncie altogether - you really should check

this out! This photo of a repo idea and more can be found at

FILES/REPOSITIONING HEADQUARTERS.

Is Katelyn sleeping on the back of her head at night where her flat

area is? If so, you might be able to check into the Head n Back to

Sleep Sleep Positioner which uses memory foam under the head area.

Some moms of younger babies are trying sewing a wedge or bag of

beans to one side of the back of a sleeper to tip their baby

slightly up, encouraging the baby to turn their head to one side off

of the flat area.

Please take some top and side photos now so that you will have

something to compare to when you want to be sure repositioning is

working for you. A baby as young as yours should show rapid

improvement if you are able successfully reposition 24 hours a day!

Take care,

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

> Hi!

> I am new to the group... My dd's pediatric NP stated at her 2

mo

> checkup that she has a flat spot on the side of her head, and did

> she favor a certain side? She doesn't seem to favor a side, and to

> us, it seems like the flat spot is on the back of her head, not

the

> side. The pediatric NP did not mention plagio, but said we have to

> start turning her head.

> The problem is, whenever we lay her on her side, she rolls on to

> her back. Also, sometimes she cannot sleep unless she is in her

> swing, which puts pressure on her head.

> How do we correct the flat spot when she spends a good amount of

> time either in her swing, her bouncy seat, or carrier? We do hold

> her a lot, and give her tummy time.

>

> TIA!!

>

> Katelyn 11/14/03