Plagiocephaly

Plagiocephaly or also called "flat head syndrom".  THis is something we are learning about right now.

When we took carter to his two month check up we told the dr we were concered about a flat spot on the back right side of his head.  Yes, this is common since now we are told to put babies on their backs to sleep.  The dr didn't seem to be too concerned since it is more common now.  She just told us to make sure we do more tummy time and try to keep him off of it as much as possible.  Also to make sure that it wasnt a neck related problem, make sure he can turn his head to both sides.  He could turn his head with no problem, its just that he is a little stubborn and likes to sleep on the right side of his head.  So of course, being the person that I am...I researched.  Now, one in five babies have some form of this problem and is more common in babies who are good sleepers.  Well that was Carter!  After his two month check up, we did everything we could to keep him off his head.  We propped him up in bed to try to make him sleep on the other side of his head.  That actually worked and now we dont prop him up, but he sleeps on both sides equally.  So that should help.  But shortly after his two month birthday, he started sleeping in his crib thru the night, in his crib during naps instead of me holding him (so glad we broke that habit) so really he ended up being on his head more than he was before. So we saw that his head started getting worse.  Since he was holding his head up pretty good now, we basically put him on his tummy as much as we could.  The only time we didn't put him on his tummy was after he ate, and even then, we would hold him in our laps so that his head would't be touching anything, or if we absolutely had to, we would put him in his bouncy chair, even then, most the time he wouldhn't sit back because he was so excited that he could almost sit up.  And alot of the time we would put him in his bouncer.  He really seemed to like being able to jump every where.  But with all of our efforts to try and correct his head...it wasn't working.  So at his four month appt we told the dr we were still concerned and after looking at his head, she agreed it would probably be best for us to be referred to a specialist.  She did say that it looked like it was trying to fill out some on its own, but better for us to be safe and have it looked at.  Basically around 6 months, his head will more than likely start correcting itself since by then he will be sitting up and off his head more.  And normally by a year old its completely corrected, on its own.  But sometimes it doesn't work out that well and if you wait too long it cant be corrected.  So we all agreed it was best to have a specialist look at him to see if it was a severe enough problem to correct it now, by wearing a helmet.  We were referred to Star Cranial Center in Dallas.  We have our first appt May 23.  I am actually really nervous, mainly because, yes i will admit it, I am a vain person, I get  my feelings hurt easily, and well...I dont want Carter to have to wear a helmet.  I feel like I should have caught this earlier and worked harder on making sure it didn't get worse.  But at the same time I know its not my fault and its a very common problem now, and its all because carter is a good sleeper...who would be upset that their infant is a good sleeper?! NOT ME!  So now...we take our first step into seeing what we can do to fix this.  Who knows, maybe we will get tehre and the dr will say that its not that bad and that it will correct itself.  I just didnt' want to NOT do something about it and later in life it didnt fix itself and then its too late, or if it was a serious problem and we didn't look into it when we should have.  Better to be safe than sorry.  So I ask, those of you that read this blog,be in prayer for my little family.  One that we have a safe trip to dallas, two that carter does ok in the car (he has only been to wichita and back), and three that we learn what we can do about his head. :)
Also, I am trying to keep updated pictures to see if his head is getting worse and hopefully later, better.  These pictures are hard to tell...but atleast its something.

Getting a flat spot on one side of a baby's head can cause the opposite side (front left) to also get flat.  Dr described it as a balloon.  You push on one side, it gets kind of oblong in shape.  It can also cause the ears to be uneven. One of carters ears is closer to the front of his face than the other.  In very severe cases, it can also cause the face to basically start sliding and be uneven. This has not happened to Carter, he has a perfect face. 

March 15, 2011

See how the front left and back right look flat while the front right and back left look kind of pointy.

April 1, 2011

May 5, 2011

It can also cause, the top part of the head, (the crown) to stick out some.  Almost cone head like

May 6, 2011

May 6, 2011

THe lump on the back part of his head is where the dr said it is starting to fill out on its own.  Good sign

 May 7, 2011

Top angle.  Can see the flat spot pretty good here.

For those of you that read this and have negative thoughts on this matter.  Like how in the world could parents let this happen to their child, believe me, I felt the same way.  But after lookign into it, its a very common problem and there really wasnt much we could have done to prevent it.  God blessed us with a good sleeper and thats that.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  I am happy to share what we are going thru and what we are learning.

This in no way is effecting carters growth or learning ability. He is actually doing things right now that are at a 6 month old range.  So he is actually ahead of the pack, it is basically all cosmetic.  But if you could help your kid look better, woudln't you?   I mean later in life when he goes bald (because he will) he will hate us if he has a funky shaped head! haha

Now we just wait for our appointment, see what the dr says, and go from there.  Hopefully he will say he is positive it will correct itself and we wont have to get a helmet, but if we do have to get a helmet, then that is for the best.  I just wish the darn things weren't so expensive!  They told us that they are a little over $3800.00 if insurance wont cover it.  Yea, my jaw dropped too!

Well that is all I have to say about that.  :)

If you want to learn more about Plagiocephaly or want to see what the helmets look like, this is the place we will be going to.

http://www.starcranialcenter.com/