Baby's head is flat......

[sereneng84]

Hello mummys, i've a baby going 3mths old.

He was c-sect and his head was nice when he's out but when i brought him home, he has been sleeping on his left side more, resulting in flat head.

His head now looks very funny. My mum in law has been suggesting to put him sleep in sarong which i refused. I hate the idea of shaking baby to sleep. Moreover, that will not do good for his spine.

I've thought of flipping him to sleep on his tummy but it was not encouraged by doctors and i'm afraid of the consequences.

Any other mums out there faces this issue? Please advise on how i can correct the shape of his head without the help of sarong. I've also tried 'forcing' him to sleep more on his right side, using pillows and bolsters to block but he just wriggled away and sleep back his comfortable position in no time.

Help!!

[onghelen]

Hi ,

My baby also had the same problem when he was about 3months old. I have since (he is closeto 5 mths now) put him in a sarong in the day and on the mattress at nite. It seems to work quite well.. this was kind of balance the scale. sometimes what I do is to help him doze off on the sarong and then carry him to his cot.

[sereneng84]

Hi,

Oh is it? Looks like i really have no other choice but to try the sarong method?

Did you spoke to the paeditrician about this? I feel it's quite troublesome to put him in the sarong them carry him out after he has doze off. What if he wakes again when i carry him out? Not many babies can adapt to sleeping in sarong in the day and on the mattress at night. What if my baby come to dislike sleeping on mattress after he's been in the sarong?

I'm in a dilemma.

Originally Posted by onghelen Hi , My baby also had the same problem when he was about 3months old. I have since (he is closeto 5 mths now) put him in a sarong in the day and on the mattress at nite. It seems to work quite well.. this was kind of balance the scale. sometimes what I do is to help him doze off on the sarong and then carry him to his cot.

[lonerjas]

serene dont want give yao yao LOL...

sm1 got other advice???

Soh everyday ... tummy sleep you dare ... Jan now dont want tummy sleep but i make sure she keep change position.. Lucky she dont have a fixed position she fancy

[saikid]

I also had the same problem, when baby was about 3 months old... I did not use a Sarong at all.
But Dr. told me that when baby starts rolling over the shape will be corrected by itself .. Now he is 10 months old... His head is round as usual...
You speak to your doctor...

I think you can use a pillow specially made for baby with the drop/hole in the middle...
I used something similar to this ( chk links below)...

http://www.motherhood.com.au/catalog/images/Lovenest%2003.jpg
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/101400784/Baby_Pillow_For_Flat_Head_Syndrome.jpg

[sereneng84]

Originally Posted by saikid I aso had the same problem, when baby was about 3 months old... But Dr. told me that when baby will grow his head will be as usual (like parents)... mainly the Genetics play role in the shape of the skull.. Now he is 10 months old... His head is round as usual...

Hi,
You mean your baby's head also flat when 3months old? Then you did not do anything to make it round? It just became round itself after some time? So where do you put your baby to sleep?

[Babylandshop]

My baby had this problem ( as she always sleep on the right side) when she was 1 to 4 months.. I bought her special pillow ( with hole in the middle) now slightly better.

[CanCanMum]

Originally Posted by sereneng84 Hi, You mean your baby's head also flat when 3months old? Then you did not do anything to make it round? It just became round itself after some time? So where do you put your baby to sleep?

putting baby to sleep in sarong does not mean that he will have a round head.

you can buy those pillow with a depression in the middle to let your boy sleep....beta start one now coz your baby skull is still soft...it will grow harder by the time he is around 1 year old and will be harder to correct...

my boys head is as round as a ball....he is still sleeping with that round pillow now that he is already so big..

heres a pic of my boys pillow with all his saliva stains....LOLs....

[sereneng84]

Originally Posted by CanCanMum putting baby to sleep in sarong does not mean that he will have a round head. you can buy those pillow with a depression in the middle to let your boy sleep....beta start one now coz your baby skull is still soft...it will grow harder by the time he is around 1 year old and will be harder to correct... my boys head is as round as a ball....he is still sleeping with that round pillow now that he is already so big.. heres a pic of my boys pillow with all his saliva stains....LOLs....

Hi,

Thanks for siding me over the sarong issue. Felt more encouraged to 'fight' his family. I also agree that sleeping in sarong does not make head round. My hubby's family members are 'stressing' me, trying hard to convince me to put him in sarong. I felt so alone. Even hubby also seemed to side them.

Oh i'm using the pillow when he's 3 weeks old, the moment i found out his head was depressed but my boy still insist sleeping on his right side more so the pillow does not seemed to work for him.

Actually i've checked with the KK's baby doctor when i bring him go check up and she say the head has no problem. But you all know how old folks like babies with round round head. sighs...

[SH74]

my boy has this prob also. given him those pillow w hole in middle to sleep. also no use. they say after some time, their head will become round. i'm still waiting for that to happen. hahaha... the prob is that my boy dont like to sleep on pillow. mayb that also make things worse.

even though during confinement, the confinement lady alw rub his head (make it round round). his head behind is still flat. think just leave it . flat then flat . as long as the brain inside is working well can already. HAHAHA...

dont bother about what old folks say.

[lonerjas]

Yea i agree if is meant to be flat there is not much you can do...

Try all sorts to correct it... Ser try everything if cant then bo bian...

After CNY my jan jan slpin yao yao in my house LOL... Provided my gal want i dont mind, i tink wont sleep long cos i rmb xavier only sleep a few mths then him dont want

[CanCanMum]

anyway ....my boy sleeps without pillow since he was in infant.....only use that round head pillow during naptimes...still, his head is round. Think coz my head is round ...inherited

[sereneng84]

Hi mrs puppy,

umm.. you know what? I'm just afraid i'll be blamed by the folks . I can foresee how the situation will be like...

"you see, dont't put baby in sarong that why head so flat. Ask you to put you refused to, now baby's head so ugly and funny. All the children in this family all sleep sarong do not have this issue. Their heads are as round as a ball. Not putting him in sarong should be cause of him being flat headed..." quoted by hubby's family.

I just do not understand why my baby has this flat head problem. If he's rounded I'm sure i can win and convince them that baby's head has nothing to do with sleeping in sarong and get them to abolish the idea that sarong is a good sleeping place for the kids.

You know my hubby's niece, coming 2 years old, is still sleeping in that disgusting sarong. Worse is she has just fallen from it 1 month back, resulting in a big bump on her forehead, so heart pain. For that moment, the folks blamed the sarong and swore not to use it again. My hubby confiscated it away only till the next day, the folks came begging for it back. I'm pretty sure the folks ONLY know this method to put a child to sleep as my mother in law has been putting all the kids to sleep this way. She mentioned that without that sarong the niece cant sleep, which is not true. I can see that the little girl feels quite scared to sleep in it as she keeps shouting when my mother in law tries to put her in.

Originally Posted by mrspuppy my boy has this prob also. given him those pillow w hole in middle to sleep. also no use. they say after some time, their head will become round. i'm still waiting for that to happen. hahaha... the prob is that my boy dont like to sleep on pillow. mayb that also make things worse. even though during confinement, the confinement lady alw rub his head (make it round round). his head behind is still flat. think just leave it . flat then flat . as long as the brain inside is working well can already. HAHAHA... dont bother about what old folks say.

[sereneng84]

Originally Posted by CanCanMum anyway ....my boy sleeps without pillow since he was in infant.....only use that round head pillow during naptimes...still, his head is round. Think coz my head is round ...inherited

haha maybe . Think my head isn't that round after all but my hubby's head is round . I pray hard my baby's head will become round round soon. Then i can avoid all the naggings from the folks. Keep repeating and repeating I cant stand them..

[lonerjas]

Originally Posted by sereneng84 Hi mrs puppy, umm.. you know what? I'm just afraid i'll be blamed by the folks . I can foresee how the situation will be like... "you see, dont't put baby in sarong that why head so flat. Ask you to put you refused to, now baby's head so ugly and funny. All the children in this family all sleep sarong do not have this issue. Their heads are as round as a ball. Not putting him in sarong should be cause of him being flat headed..." quoted by hubby's family. I just do not understand why my baby has this flat head problem. If he's rounded I'm sure i can win and convince them that baby's head has nothing to do with sleeping in sarong and get them to abolish the idea that sarong is a good sleeping place for the kids. You know my hubby's niece, coming 2 years old, is still sleeping in that disgusting sarong. Worse is she has just fallen from it 1 month back, resulting in a big bump on her forehead, so heart pain. For that moment, the folks blamed the sarong and swore not to use it again. My hubby confiscated it away only till the next day, the folks came begging for it back. I'm pretty sure the folks ONLY know this method to put a child to sleep as my mother in law has been putting all the kids to sleep this way. She mentioned that without that sarong the niece cant sleep, which is not true. I can see that the little girl feels quite scared to sleep in it as she keeps shouting when my mother in law tries to put her in.

If you insist then against dao di.. Get Boon on your side .. your son your say...
no need bother your mother in law they want blame let them blame ... They cant keep mouth shout no matter what you do so 4get it.. do it your way...

[sereneng84]

Originally Posted by lonerjas Yea i agree if is meant to be flat there is not much you can do... Try all sorts to correct it... Ser try everything if cant then bo bian... After CNY my jan jan slpin yao yao in my house LOL... Provided my gal want i dont mind, i tink wont sleep long cos i rmb xavier only sleep a few mths then him dont want

Your baby's head so round. I dont't even dare shave my boy when he's full month just to avoid more 'complaints and naggings' from hubby's relatives. I'm pretty sure my hubby's aunt they all will make even more nasty and sarcastic comments.

[SH74]

i agree with lonerjas. it's your baby, you r the mom. it's frustrating to listen to all the ugly comments. my mother in law last time commented something quite regularly about my breastfeeding. i dont want argue w her. so what i did is to show my BLACK face. luckily she's sensitive enough, after sometime, she stopped. 'cause if she ask me anything, i'll just give 1 word ans or just 'ng' or 'orh' or 'dont know' or 'mayb'.

dont let this affect your life too much. some baby r very sensitive. they'll wonder what's wrong w their head. "y my mom n grandma n whoever alw 'cause of my head, have argument." y my head shape make my mom so upset."

mayb ask your hubby to tell them nicely whenever they start commenting about your boy's head. talk to your hubby. if he is on your side, things will b easier to settle. if not, then it all depends on you. if you want insist your way, insist all the way, like what lonerjas said. if not, just close 1 eye, follow their way. sometimes these old folks have to learn the hard way.

that time my mother in law make stock for my boy. added so many things inside which quite a lot my boy havent tried before. in the end, my boy kena serious diarrhoea n vomitting which took quite long to recover. doc said it might b food allergy or food too oily (fr pork bones). since then, my mother in law n hubby dont dare anyhow try anything w/o asking me.

[sereneng84]

Yup i'll insist my way. I've told my hubby many times to tell them to stop the sarong topic as i'm really sensitive towards that word but he just reply me saying mouth is people we cant stop them from talking. Actually each time the word is mentioned in front of me, i'll kick a big fuss and quarrel with hubby. I just dont't understand we quarrel so many times over this issue he cant shut his folks trap. He merely told me he's scared of this topic but not doing anything about it.

Speaking of food for the baby. Think 2 weeks ago my baby suddenly became very cranky and cried non stop the whole afternoon. I explained to my mother in law it could be because the baby has not fully awaken and my father in law just walk into my room and carry him out to the main door while i went toilet so I suspect he was irritated by sudden waking up and maybe also got 'scared' thus result in the day's behaviour.

My mother in law gave me a bottle of 'jin feng san' ask me to feed him. I was already very frustrated over him crying and i was shocked she asked me to feed baby some alien substance. I rejected as i do not think that powder is so power to stop baby from crying. Furthermore we do not really know if he's upset because he got frightened or some other issue. What if that powder makes him feel worse? I told my hubby the incident and he instruct her not to feed anything to him without our permission first.

But still, I cant help feeling scared of what my mother in law will feed my baby when I start giong back to work. I've witnessed her feeding hubby's niece when she's at 15 months old youtiao, the fatty san cheng rou and many many sweets. Basically food not suitable for toddlers, unhealthy food.

I believe children should be fed with nutritious food for growth. I cant help worrying what other weird things she'll do. Hubby always scold me, say we asked mother in law to help look after, it's a big favour we cant expect alot, cant change her style of looking after baby as she has been using those methods to bring up 11 kids already, considered very experienced. He actually challenged his mum's experience to my mum's. Just because mother in law bring up 11 kids doesnt mean she's experience right? I felt so offended.

My mum used to work in childcare, looking after big groups of kids using the right method, as she has gone for childcare courses. I believe my mum is more experience when comes to taking care of kids. AT least she knows what is good for kids. But too bad my mum has to work, she cant help me look after.

Is it true that we new mums will take examples of bringing up kids from our mum?

Originally Posted by mrspuppy i agree with lonerjas. it's your baby, you r the mom. it's frustrating to listen to all the ugly comments. my mother in law last time commented something quite regularly about my breastfeeding. i dont want argue w her. so what i did is to show my BLACK face. luckily she's sensitive enough, after sometime, she stopped. 'cause if she ask me anything, i'll just give 1 word ans or just 'ng' or 'orh' or 'dont know' or 'mayb'. dont let this affect your life too much. some baby r very sensitive. they'll wonder what's wrong w their head. "y my mom n grandma n whoever alw 'cause of my head, have argument." y my head shape make my mom so upset." mayb ask your hubby to tell them nicely whenever they start commenting about your boy's head. talk to your hubby. if he is on your side, things will b easier to settle. if not, then it all depends on you. if you want insist your way, insist all the way, like what lonerjas said. if not, just close 1 eye, follow their way. sometimes these old folks have to learn the hard way. that time my mother in law make stock for my boy. added so many things inside which quite a lot my boy havent tried before. in the end, my boy kena serious diarrhoea n vomitting which took quite long to recover. doc said it might b food allergy or food too oily (fr pork bones). since then, my mother in law n hubby dont dare anyhow try anything w/o asking me.

[SH74]

we'll alw think that our own mother's way of bringing up the kids r the best 'cause we think we are well behaved mah. likewise, your hubby will think his mother's way of bringing up is the best.

but 1 thing old folks must know is certain old methods cannot use anymore. 'cause times have changed. our times, dont have HFMD, now have. our time, dont have dengue fever, now have. no chicken flu.

actually if you want your mother in law take care of your baby, really have to close 1 eye. old folks will usu give those chinese med to them. unless you interfere. n also depends on old folks auto or not. also if hubby can b on your side, it's easier.

as for sweets n fatty oily stuff, it's also old folks' way of taking care of kids. to them, kids after 1 yr old, can eat watever adults eat. if talk no use, use articles to show them or if baby 'cause of that fall sick, ask them go c doc w you as well. let them hear fr doctor's mouth. mayb can tell your mother in law that doctor say this this this, that that that,.... that's y baby not well.

[sereneng84]

Hi Saikid,

I saw the link of the pillows. May i ask where do i buy the red color one?

Originally Posted by saikid I also had the same problem, when baby was about 3 months old... I did not use a Sarong at all. But Dr. told me that when baby starts rolling over the shape will be corrected by itself .. Now he is 10 months old... His head is round as usual... You speak to your doctor... I think you can use a pillow specially made for baby with the drop/hole in the middle... I used something similar to this ( chk links below)... http://www.motherhood.com.au/catalog/images/Lovenest%2003.jpg http://img.alibaba.com/photo/101400784/Baby_Pillow_For_Flat_Head_Syndrome.jpg

[kady]

Originally Posted by sereneng84 Hi Saikid, I saw the link of the pillows. May i ask where do i buy the red color one?

Hello Serene, maybe you can buy babysafe brand cuz i bought 1 but havent start to use haha..

[Porukadotzu]

Originally Posted by sereneng84 Yup i'll insist my way. I've told my hubby many times to tell them to stop the sarong topic as i'm really sensitive towards that word but he just reply me saying mouth is people we cant stop them from talking. Actually each time the word is mentioned in front of me, i'll kick a big fuss and quarrel with hubby. I just dont't understand we quarrel so many times over this issue he cant shut his folks trap. He merely told me he's scared of this topic but not doing anything about it. Speaking of food for the baby. Think 2 weeks ago my baby suddenly became very cranky and cried non stop the whole afternoon. I explained to my mother in law it could be because the baby has not fully awaken and my father in law just walk into my room and carry him out to the main door while i went toilet so I suspect he was irritated by sudden waking up and maybe also got 'scared' thus result in the day's behaviour. My mother in law gave me a bottle of 'jin feng san' ask me to feed him. I was already very frustrated over him crying and i was shocked she asked me to feed baby some alien substance. I rejected as i do not think that powder is so power to stop baby from crying. Furthermore we do not really know if he's upset because he got frightened or some other issue. What if that powder makes him feel worse? I told my hubby the incident and he instruct her not to feed anything to him without our permission first. But still, I cant help feeling scared of what my mother in law will feed my baby when I start giong back to work. I've witnessed her feeding hubby's niece when she's at 15 months old youtiao, the fatty san cheng rou and many many sweets. Basically food not suitable for toddlers, unhealthy food. I believe children should be fed with nutritious food for growth. I cant help worrying what other weird things she'll do. Hubby always scold me, say we asked mother in law to help look after, it's a big favour we cant expect alot, cant change her style of looking after baby as she has been using those methods to bring up 11 kids already, considered very experienced. He actually challenged his mum's experience to my mum's. Just because mother in law bring up 11 kids doesnt mean she's experience right? I felt so offended. My mum used to work in childcare, looking after big groups of kids using the right method, as she has gone for childcare courses. I believe my mum is more experience when comes to taking care of kids. AT least she knows what is good for kids. But too bad my mum has to work, she cant help me look after. Is it true that we new mums will take examples of bringing up kids from our mum?

hi sereneng, i can understand your feeling towards your inlaw, my gal also was forced to eat jin feng san powder when she's very cranky on her 3rd month.. i was so against it since she's very young that time and its kinda dangerous to feed strange things which i dont't know whats the ingredients... they just say it will calm the baby and won't get scared... then i thought wth... i was reading alot about baby being cranky and crying so i was prepared all method to pacify her but my mother in law maybe cant tahan the crying would make the baby sick and just grab her from me and fed the powder while my gal crying and coughing cos she dont't like the taste or coz my mother in law just shoved her finger in the baby's mouth... i was so so so angry but no choice.. afterwards i felt so violated... and i kept scolding my hubby why he dont't let me pacify the baby before giving her to mother in law and tell him straight i dont't like the idea to "medicated" baby to be quiet.... but hubby kept insist it was ok and harmless... but still its a chinese medicine which i dont even know what it is inside..

after that i always bring the baby upstairs and nurse her before she got cranky..

[Porukadotzu]

as for your concern about your baby's head, i got reff from baby center site , hope it will ease your mind!

Should I do anything if my baby's head looks flat?

A flattish head (called plagiocephaly) is often the result of sleeping too much in one position and usually isn't a cause for concern. Mention it to your doctor, who can evaluate it. In rare, severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for treatment, such as cranial orthotic therapy involving headgear. Flattish skulls have become more commonplace since babies began to be placed on their back to sleep to prevent SIDS. But the benefits of a baby sleeping on his back far outweigh the temporary, cosmetic issue of a flattish head. Although the condition is harmless, some parents look into pricey helmets to prevent or correct flatness. You can get a similar result by giving your baby plenty of "tummy time" during his waking hours and alternating the direction in which you place him in his crib to sleep. (Even when lying on their back, babies tend to turn their head away from the wall to look around.) You could change the position of your baby's favorite mobile or even change the location of his crib so that he's inspired to look in a different direction. Also, minimize the amount of time your baby spends in his car seat (outside the car, of course) to reduce the amount of pressure the seat back exerts on his head. Regardless of what you do to fix it (if anything), flatness usually goes away as your baby grows, learns to sit and stand, and becomes a more vertical little being.

[sereneng84]

Hi Porukadotzu,

Thank you for the supporting reference. Yes I believe this reference is correct.

I went to KK hospital today for my baby's follow up physio treatment for his feet. I asked the baby doctors about his head and their solutions and answers were all exactly what is written in the reference.

The baby doctors are also against the idea of baby sleeping in the sarong. First of all it is the safety issue, there has been many cases of babies falling from the sarong. Secondly, they mentioned that when the baby's whole weight is carried by the sarong cloth, given the gravity, it adds more pressure to the head and further weighs down the head to result in worser head shape.

In other words, sarong will not reshape the baby's head at all. I was advised to put him to sleep in alternate position and also give him lots of tummy time, which my mother in law do not agree with. She's so afraid my baby may 'suffocate' but she did not realise if my baby is to sleep in the sarong, he is at risk of falling down.

Originally Posted by Porukadotzu as for your concern about your baby's head, i got reff from baby center site , hope it will ease your mind! Should I do anything if my baby's head looks flat? A flattish head (called plagiocephaly) is often the result of sleeping too much in one position and usually isn't a cause for concern. Mention it to your doctor, who can evaluate it. In rare, severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for treatment, such as cranial orthotic therapy involving headgear. Flattish skulls have become more commonplace since babies began to be placed on their back to sleep to prevent SIDS. But the benefits of a baby sleeping on his back far outweigh the temporary, cosmetic issue of a flattish head. Although the condition is harmless, some parents look into pricey helmets to prevent or correct flatness. You can get a similar result by giving your baby plenty of "tummy time" during his waking hours and alternating the direction in which you place him in his crib to sleep. (Even when lying on their back, babies tend to turn their head away from the wall to look around.) You could change the position of your baby's favorite mobile or even change the location of his crib so that he's inspired to look in a different direction. Also, minimize the amount of time your baby spends in his car seat (outside the car, of course) to reduce the amount of pressure the seat back exerts on his head. Regardless of what you do to fix it (if anything), flatness usually goes away as your baby grows, learns to sit and stand, and becomes a more vertical little being.

[CanCanMum]

i think no doctors will encourage babies to sleep in sarong....letting babies to sleep in sarongs are a passed-down tradition coz elders believe that babies are proned to longer and deeper sleeps when being rocked in a sarong, tats all. Besides that there is no other benefits.

"My mother in law gave me a bottle of 'jin feng san' ask me to feed him. I was already very frustrated over him crying and i was shocked she asked me to feed baby some alien substance."

Jing Feng San cannot be fed to babies becoz it contains too high a level of mercury - DANGEROUS. "Bao Ying Dan" from Eu Yan Sang can b given to babies in a tiny winy amount and only put on lips if they are in obvious distress coz there was once my boy cried non-stop for almost 45mins i think, come and go. My mother in law also insists on giving JFS to my boy last time....but i did not.

what happened to your baby's feet that needs physio?