plagiocephaly (flat head)

[nancy1]

Hi,

My son has plagiocephaly (flat and asymmetrical head) because of his position in my womb AND because of torticolitis of the neck. One ped said that it would resolve on its own and to try neck exercises to stretch the neck muscles and to alternate his sleeping position, the other said he would need a helmet perhaps to correct the problem. I would love to hear feedbacks from your own experiences. He is now 3.5 months and from the literature I read, this is the correct time for treatment.
Of course I am concerned about the cosmetic aspect of it, but more than thanthe long term repercussions this might have onhis health.
So please feel free to share your experiences with this.
Thanks,
NAncy

[riogirl71]

I had the same exact thing happen to us. He had torticolitis and was breached so he only turned right. Finally at 3 months the doctor said he had a flat head and needed a helmet. I asked him to give me one month to try. I relentlessly made him look left, carried him so he would want to look left, positioned his chair and swing and carrier to force him to look left, when he was sound asleep I would massage his neck and very gently stretch it (ask your doc please so you don't hurt him). I also had him sleeping right next to me on our bed which is a tempurpedic and conforms to your body, baby mattresses are quite hard (again please be aware of SIDS). I also spent all night making sure he looked left and not resting on right side. Seriously like turning him every 30 min or so. I did this and after a month there was some improvement, the pediatrician let me keep going. I kept it up for about 6 months and he is now perfect, you really can't tell, we spared him the bummer of a helmet and the 3,000 that insurance would not cover. The doc said he never saw such a change and that I should be commended for my perseverance but seriously you have to be relentless. I spoke to someone else with the same issue and she said that she did not want to move her baby from his crib or wake up all night, then helmet it is! It is a tough choice. My cousin got her boy a helmet and he did fine. Good luck!