The back of my babys head looks like it's getting flat. I asked the Dr. about it and she said that i need to give more tummy time. Does this sound right? Does anyone elses child have this? DOes it go back to normal?

It really depends on how severe the flatness is. More tummy time is to strengthen the neck muscles, which can sometimes cause a flat head.I'm sure if it was bad, the doctor would have suggested physical therapy, so it's probably fine.

It really depends on how severe the flatness is. More tummy time is to strengthen the neck muscles, which can sometimes cause a flat head.I'm sure if it was bad, the doctor would have suggested physical therapy, so it's probably fine.


When I mentioned it to the dr. she really didn't check it that much. I don't know what physical therapy would do.

I've heard that if the flatness is severe enough, the doctor will put them in a helmet. It sounds like the doc isn't worried, so you probably shouldn't either.

Positional Plagiocephaly, also known as flattened head syndrome, is a condition that can occur when your baby sleeps in the same position repeatedly. It can also occur because of problems with your baby's neck muscles.

Do a search for it and you will find loads of info including pictures. If your doctor isn't concerned I wouldn't be either. I thought my DS may have had a mild case of it. The doctor said he was fine, and didn't have it and that it would completly round out. He's now 7 months and his heads perfectly round.

Yes, definitly make sure that your baby spands more time on his tummy during the day so he is not always putting pressure on the back of his head. Also make sure that you change the baby's head position at night/nap time. One night turn it to the left the next to the right. My son was always sleeping w/ head facing to the right and also got flat spot there so now I put him to the left, though he doesn't like it, and I have to sometimes wait until he is in deep sleep to turn his head.

Yes it will get better w/ time but it takes a long time. I've been doing this for the last 2mo (since DS was 4mo) and it's just now starting to look better. Also if the case is mild it will not be noticable once hair gets thicker. Also my DS had a bump on his head from labour (hematoma that calcified), and it's finally going away. So expect change to be slow, but it will happen. If your baby doesn't sleep in that spot, it will fill in w/ bone as the head continues to grow.

There is no physio exercises that I have heard of to make the head less flat, only the helmet that someone already mentioned for very severe cases. Exercises can be used for neck muscles if a tight muscle prevents your baby from turning to one side.

If you're very worried, seek second opinion, but this is what I was told for my son's flat spot. (make sure your baby doesn't spend too much time in swing or car seat, as the surface is hard and will make problem worse)

I had ds in physical therapy for a few months because of torticollis, which is when their neck goes to one side ( to make it brief), and there were lots of kids there with helmets on. The therapy strengthens neck muscles, which in turn can lessen the flatness. ( along with the helmets)