does your baby turn his or her head to one side?

Question

I was looking through pictures and noticed my 5 week old daughter always lays with her head turned to the right when she sleeps. Is this really an issue? She has no problems turning to the left when she's awake, I think she's just more comfortable sleeping facing right. Her ped hasn't said anything about developing a flat head but part of me is secretly wondering...

Is that something that could actually happen?

When I wear her in our moby wrap she lays her left side on my chest the whole time?

I think I just needed to see this fear written out, but if you have any experience with this, let me know! Google gave me scary answers lol!

Answer

I've been noticing that about my daughter as well except she turns the other way! We have an omm (osteo-something something manipulation) appt scheduled but they didn't have any openings until the end of March! After reading some of these replies, I'm considering taking her to my chiro.. it's funny bc we talked about chiro for babies when I first started seeing him, before I was even pregnant!
She does turn her head the other way but mostly only during play when there's something good to look at (and she sleeps all the time still so that's really only a few minutes..) I'll definitely be asking my chiro at MY appt on Monday and the pediatrician on Friday at her next check up.

Answer

It is possible to get flattened head (plagiocephaly). Our little girl was sleeping all the time with head to left but we visited chiropractor last week and now she is about 50% either way which makes me alot happier. Have a friend with a 12 week old that has gone flat on the back of the head, quite severe, almost at stage they will have to have a helmet fitted, although now he is spending more time upright it is starting to pop back out.

Answer

Definitely something to look into! There is the risk of developinng a flat head, as others mentioned. My little guy always preferred looking to the left. Think it was a combination of the tightness from his tongue tie and just overly tight muscles. Have been taking him to a Craniosacral therapist and a chiropractor--- both of which are extremely gentle-- and he's already much more even. The Chiro did a scan on his spine and confirmed major tightness and discomfort on the left side of his neck. Tight muscles were pulling his head that way.

Good luck!

Answer

Your baby is so cute! You may be freaking out for nothing. I'd be more worried about muscle/skeletal abnormalities than a flat head. Interested in what the doctor says. My sister's baby did this and after a few month of physical therapy to strengthen her opposite side she was ok. My friend's baby did this and ended up having some congenital issues that caused scoliosis in her neck. She will probably end up having surgery a few years down the line. So I guess there are quite a few potential outcomes.

Answer

My LO on his belly and picks his head up and turns it to the side

Answer

Following!  We are in the exact same boat, but baby almost always sleeps with his head facing his left.  He has great neck strength during tummy time and when on our check, but seems to like sleeping facing that direction.

does your baby turn his or her head to one side?

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