Cranial Remoulding to Treat Flat Head Syndrome

[fairylamb]

Hi

I noticed at about 4 weeks my son had developed a flat spot on the right hand side of his head, I started repositioning him wherever possible, using a GoiGoi pillow, trips to the osteopath etc but it hasn?t gone away so far (he?s now 5 and a half months). I know if I wanted to go the route of cranial remoulding (helmet therapy) now is the time. I have always received the standard advice from my GP and HV that the problem will self-correct or his hair will cover it but if he?s anything like his dad his hair will only have a shelf life of about 30 years ? not long enough!

I know helmet therapy is effective but I feel it is a slightly evasive and aggressive procedure for a problem that may self-correct albeit over a much longer period of time. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who hasn?t gone ahead with treatment and now wishes they had i.e. has an older child with a noticeably flat head? Or is there anyone out there whose child?s head did naturally self-correct (and how long did it take)? Also interested in the experiences of any parents whose kids have undergone helmet therapy (nobody seems to regret it)?

Apologies for the length of this post and I haven?t even started on the whole ethical debate on subjecting a baby to what is a perhaps an unnecessary cosmetic procedure. Arggggh!

[The Nappy Lady]

Hi fairylamb,

My eldest daughter had quite a flat head on one side, I saw doctor and HV and was told it would self correct, and it did. Not even sure quite when, but certainly in the first 12 to 18 months I would say. She has a perfect head now. However, I would say on a scale of 1 to 10, her head/problem was probably around 4 or 5 - not that bad IYKWIM.

I know someone else who went down the helmet route as the problem was worse - pushing ear and jaw out of alignment on one side....baby didn't seem in the least bit bothered by the helmet, and amazing how within a matter of weeks the head shape had corrected itself, though baby still needed to wear it for the full time, can't recall if it was 6 or 12 months, but quite a long time.

I would say investigate further, get referred to see specialist at hospital who can advise further and give you an idea of how 'bad' your little ones head really is (sorry, that sounds awful, I don't mean it how it sounds, but I know personally I always feel things are worse than they are when my own children are involved, so he may be able to give you a better idea of whether you really need to be concerned).

I don't think there is anything ethically wrong with going down the helmet route if hospital etc. are supportive, I don't think it is anything like cosmetic surgery etc.

My 1 year old is currently wearing shoes to correct a curve in her foot - I would say both that and a helmet to correct a flat head are medical issues that should be addressed and corrected if the option is there to do so.

Molly

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[fairylamb]

Thank you very much for the feedback Molly - pleased your daughters head self-corrected.

Fortunately my son's face is fairly symmetrical and nothing is misaligned (so from the NHS current viewpoint his head shape is a cosmetic issue they won't consider treating). I went to a private clinic and his exact measurements are 12mm asymmetry and 101% on the cranial index. Asymmetry is on the borderline for treatment but the CI head width to depth measurement is definitely on the severe side.

[prdarling]

Fairylamb both my sisters sons were in helmets for around 4 months at the age of 6 months. Both had pretty severe misalignment. The difference is remarkable, in factr they use one of the boy's stats as a case study at the Starband clinic she attended in Leeds. Neither baby had any issue with the helmet...they really don't notice it's on. In her opinion ?4.4k well spent. If you want to ask any questions I can get her on here...just let me know

[Curly]

My son had a flat back of head. You wouldn't know he had a problem now and his hair is very short.

[Curly]

My son had a flat back of head. You wouldn't know he had a problem now and his hair is very short.

[sillywoman]

Hi Fairylamb,

I seem t remember all my kids having a 'flat spot' at around this age - quite noticeable too. They all self corrected and I didn't even think that it might be something that wouldn't, possibly a case of ignorance being bliss? Anyway I remember looking around and asking myself how many adults I'd ever met with flat heads - I couldn't recall one (though I may just have been lucky). For Molly's friend whose baby's jaw was misaligned because of it, then obviously it's a medical necessity, but otherwise it's probably something that will self correct as soon as your baby starts rolling in his sleep and adopting different sleeping positions. What happened before the helmets were around - are there people who know of any adult with a flat head?

[sillywoman]

Hi Fairylamb,

I seem t remember all my kids having a 'flat spot' at around this age - quite noticeable too. They all self corrected and I didn't even think that it might be something that wouldn't, possibly a case of ignorance being bliss? Anyway I remember looking around and asking myself how many adults I'd ever met with flat heads - I couldn't recall one (though I may just have been lucky). For Molly's friend whose baby's jaw was misaligned because of it, then obviously it's a medical necessity, but otherwise it's probably something that will self correct as soon as your baby starts rolling in his sleep and adopting different sleeping positions. What happened before the helmets were around - are there people who know of any adult with a flat head?

[Belle]

Isn't the theory that since guidance has been to lay babies on their backs, this problem has become more common? Don't know much about it but sure I read that.

[Belle]

Isn't the theory that since guidance has been to lay babies on their backs, this problem has become more common? Don't know much about it but sure I read that.

[The Nappy Lady]

I have only ever met one person with an 'odd shaped head' - used to work with him in the city...it was very long and narrow (but not lopsided) and he told me it was due to a forceps delivery and his head never regained a 'normal' shape...but then again, how do they know what shape his head was before the delivery.

Hmmmmmm

I think only you and your other half can make a decision on this Fairylamb, it is such a personal thing. I can't imagine anyone is going to judge you if you do decide to use a helmet so don't think you should worry about that aspect (I mention this because you said about the NHS considering it cosmetic rather than necessary). But as sillywoman says it will probably correct itself in time. It is one of those times when you just wish you could have a quick glimpse of the future isn't it....so difficult.

Molly

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[The Nappy Lady]

I have only ever met one person with an 'odd shaped head' - used to work with him in the city...it was very long and narrow (but not lopsided) and he told me it was due to a forceps delivery and his head never regained a 'normal' shape...but then again, how do they know what shape his head was before the delivery.

Hmmmmmm

I think only you and your other half can make a decision on this Fairylamb, it is such a personal thing. I can't imagine anyone is going to judge you if you do decide to use a helmet so don't think you should worry about that aspect (I mention this because you said about the NHS considering it cosmetic rather than necessary). But as sillywoman says it will probably correct itself in time. It is one of those times when you just wish you could have a quick glimpse of the future isn't it....so difficult.

Molly

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