[tdintexas]

My son came home from Guatemala at 9months old with a VERY flat head (from spending way too much time in the crib or in a carrier--he could barely sit up at 9 mo). I'd like to poll parents who experienced a similar situation.
How old was your child when he/she came home?
How old is your child now?
How severe was the flattening?
Did your child's head round out on its own, and if so, how does it look now and how long did it take?
Did you seek medical intervention (head band), and if so, what were your experiences?

BTW, my son saw a craniofacial specialist the other day--a leader in the field--who indicated that he was sure that my son's head would round out on its own--over a LONG time. I elected not to do the headband--kinda sounded like it might make his head round out quicker, but that the end result would be the same. Unfortunately there are no good studies to show the end result in either case.

Thanks for responding

[becky]

My daughter came home at 4.5 months and her head was flat on one side in the back. She apparently had a real preference for laying/sleeping only on one side.

She is now 2 years old and it is still a bit flat, but much better.

I always tried to lay her on the other side, or once she was asleep to turn her head the other way. The doctor told me not to worry about it...I think the problems are worse when there is flattening in the back, and also bulging in the front...that is when they may insist on the helmet!

[KDhappygal]

Our daughter came home at 9 months with a visible but not severe flatness to the back of her head and a visible but not severe bulge on one side of her head. With all her hair it was barely noticeable unless her hair was wet. Then it was really noticeable.

Anyway, doc said the same thing, try to have her sleep on her side and the flatness would correct itself. Same thing with the visible bulge....have her sleep on her other side.

Gabriella has been home going on 5 months now and both the flatness in the back and the visible bulge on the side have become less noticeable. She moves around a lot in her sleep and we don't change her position all that often. She was sleeping a lot on her back when she first came home but now tends to sleep on her side anyway.

[mckinnea]

This must not be that uncommon. My son's head is very flat in the back and I've had the same concerns. I don't recall seeing many adults with flattened heads - so odds are it will improve.. - This is my rational voice. I'll wait and see what the pediatrician says.

Michelle

[rose barton]

Our daughter came home at almost six months and has a very flat head in the back. She can sit up now so we avoid putting her on her back as much as possible. Our pediatrician said that she recommends "helmeting" only when the facial features have begun to distort (which had not happened with our daughter). She has only been home a few weeks so I don't know if there will be improvement. My doctor also noted that we are raising a whole generation of children with flatter heads in the U.S. as well due to the "Back to Sleep" program to prevent SIDs.

[Chrysanthemum]

My Daughter came home at 7 months . She couldn't sit up or hold her head up too long. She was functioning at 3-6 months. I called Early On wich is an early intervention program in my area. Within 3 months she had caught up. Her head had rounded out by her first birthdat. They did mention that if her head did not round out she would need a helmut to help.
Rena had physical therapy for about 3 months because her legs were so weak. I was so greatful for there help.

If you have any concerns call your local early intervention program. Your local school should be able to help too.

[KathyNC]

David came home at just under 7 mo w/ severe flatness on one side of his head. I waited a couple of months before taking him to a specialist and he wound up wearing a soft helmet for 6 mo or so. It helped the flatness and general positioning of features. When finished, his ears were aligned and most of the flatness gone. One thing I was told which I did not know was that children with flatness like that are prone to hearing difficulties - something to do with positioning. In any event, we went for a hearing test and he flatlined - turns out the fluid had retained and solidified. After the surgery to clear that and put in tubes, he was like a different child.

Kathy
Mom to Carlos and David

[Heidil87]

I have to jump in and say that this is not a Guatemalan baby problem. This is an all baby problem. My bio son had a flat head in the back because he slept on his back like was recommended at the time to lessen the chance of SIDS. As an infant he spent 14 to 16 hours a day sleeping. Even when he was awake since he couldn't hold his head up until he was 3 to 4 months old he spent alot of time with his head leaning against something....the bouncy chair, the infant carrier, his swing etc.
I also don't think it is a sign of neglect. Babies simply have to spend a lot of time lying down. They're babies and do not have the muscle control to do much else until they are at least 3 or 4 months old. Even then they spend a lot of time sleeping on their backs. I don't think it is anything to worry about! My son is 7 now and his head is perfect even if I do say so myself.

[KevinK]

As a general rule, Guatemalans do not give babies much tummy time. As a result they spend more times on their backs and can have a flat head. If your doctor said don;t worry, I wouldn;t worry about it.

It's one of the "differences" I joke about with our foster mom now when it comes to parenting. She was amazed when I told that kids are not always wrapped up in the US and fo barefoot alot. As I told her "I'm not saying what's better, she's raised lots of healthy kids. It's just different."

-Kevin

[swebb]

Just thought I'd chime in and say that our second son just came home at 14 months. I visited him when he was 8 months old, and his head was flattened in the back on one side. Of course, it really worried me. When we brought him home at 14 months, I could already tell some improvement, though.

He was seen by the Children's Hospital International Adoption Center in Cincinnati, and they said that the flattening was very mild, and that his head would round out on it's own.

Seems to be more common than I thought,

Shelly

[LP2003]

I agree with Heidil87. It is a baby problem, not limited to GT babies. My bio son had a terribly flat head on one side only. No matter how we positioned him, he would always manage to turn his head to lay just right on that same spot!

At one point our nephew was over and looked down on his head and said, 'he has a funny head'. Well!!!! So, I talked to the doctor about it. He said to change his head position whenever possible, so we did. It pretty much worked it's way out by the age of 3.

Our daughter came home from GT at 14mos and had a flat spot about the size of a plum on the back of her head. She loves sleeping on her back and we are hard pressed to change her position no matter what we try. Our doctor said not to worry about it and that, like someone else said, we are raising a generation of flat headed children. Unless it is severe, he doesn't recommend doing anything about it.

One more thing.....WELCOME TO MOTHERHOOD!!! You will now be able to worry all the time just like the rest of us.

I worry all the time about....well, just about everything! heehee!!!

Lori
Mommy to Rachel-Guatemala-18mos
Sean-bio-6yrs

[Rhonda Roo]

AJ came home when he was 6.5 months old--and to look at him from the side; he was flat as a board from the back, neck and head. We didn't helmet him--and at 27 months, it is a little better. The funny thing is, we started looking at several latino gentlemen at the restaurant we frequent--they all have flat heads in the back too.

I found by cutting his hair a certain way, it looks pretty darn good! lol.

Rhonda Roo