United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Our 4 month old daughter (right OBPI) had a pediatrician appointment today and she noticed her head is flat. I've noticed this too and have tried some positional changes when she's sleeping or in her swing. She does prefer to look to the left side. Tummy time isn't a great thing for her since she can't support herself with her right arm. Any ideas on how to help her head round out? I've read some info about the DOC band. Anyone have to go this route?? Any other pillows, etc I could buy?? Thanks!!

We had the same problem when my son was about 2-3 months old. He wouldn't look to his affected side, so we did lots of therapy for this, with gentle stretch turns to get him to look on that side. We did not have to get any type of helmet for it, but we were told if it didn't improve that we would need to get one to prevent further flattening. We used a boppy pillow for tummy time and positioned it under his chest. He could only tolerate it for very short periods of time at first, then it got better. Try musical toys during tummy time and build up her tolerance for it. The large exercise balls were good for us to use as tummy time too. I would get behind him for support and gently bounce the ball while he was laying on it. It was great weight bearing for his arm too. We did activities that encouraged him to look towards his affected side. I would stand on that side, behind him and he would naturally turn his head to follow me (his food source!). We also used a Bumbo seat when he was able to hold his head up. This kept him out of the swing more. While he was sleeping on his back, I would alternate the way the face was turned.

I hope this helps! Hang in there.

Anise

Joshua had bad torticollis and positional flat head when he was a couple months old. We changed the position of his crib (he was sleeping in the same room as us at the time) and put him in so if he wanted to look at us or the room, he had to turn to his affected side. We put a play mirror on his bed on that side. We put his mobile on that side of the bed. Anything to get him to look to the non-preferred side. We also did tummy time, etc but I think the main thing that worked is giving him strong incentive to sleep with his head turned to other side.

Kate

Thank you for the information! I have tried most of your suggestions, but hadn't been turning her head at night. We will definitely be doing that!!! I positioned her on a pillow so she's sleeping a little toward the side instead of flat on the back of her head. When did your kids heads round out??

My daughters flat spot/Tortocollis improved once she started to roll over, right around 5/6 months.

Marlene

Cam still has a flat area of his head, but so much hair you can't even notice it! He was around 6 months when it became more "round".

Although our son did not have this issue,he did have trouble in tummy time. We attributed the negative reaction to being on his tummy to the non use of his arm. At 10 months we had him looked at by a chiropractor and had his neck adjusted. The next day he was rolling over on his own and pushing up with his good arm. Not that this is the answer for everyone but it can't hurt and may help with turning her head in both directions.