Nate Has a Flat Head

Nate had his 2 month checkup today. The 2 month checkup is extra special because 4 shots are administered at this appointment- Hep B and HIB (Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae Type B, DTaP (Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis), PCV (Pneumococcal conjugate) and IPV (inactive Polio). Nate was a real champ as he got his injections; the nurse wanted us to bend down and talk to him while she did it. After she gave him the first one, he turned bright purple and was so angry he couldn't even take a breath. Fortunately, he calmed down very quickly while the other three injections went in. Afterward, he didn't cry or act upset at all, and snoozed all the way home. I had given him a little Tylenol right before the shots, and some more 4 hours later to ease muscle discomfort and thwart any fever.



His length growth was in the 10th percentile and his weight gain in the 30th, so he is growing just like he ought to be. Nate's biggest challenge at his 2 month appointment was his flat head also called plagiocephaly. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends no other sleeping position than the baby sleeping on his back. This unfortunately causes the back of baby's tender little head to conform to the flat surface. I personally would rather have a flat-headed baby than a dead baby, and this is the unfortunate dilemma this "Back to sleep" advice presents to parents. The remedy for flat-headedness is tummy time (which we do often) and forcing him to sleep on his side supported by wedges or blankets.

Dr. McGraw asked if Nate was cooing, smiling, following us with his eyes, and holding his head up. He is doing all of those things for us and as she was rubbing his little head he did a little cooing and smiling just for her. We are definitely going to try this head rubbing thing to shamelessly solicit smiles from this little guy.

The vital statistics:

3-13-06 “Birth Day”: 6 lbs, 6 oz ~ 18 3/8 inches

3-27-06 “Two Week Checkup”: 6 lbs, 10 oz ~ 19 ¼ inches

4-12-06 “One Month Checkup”: 8 lbs, 1 oz ~ 20 1/2 inches

5-12-06 "Two Month Checkup": 10 lbs, 1 oz ~ 21 1/2 inches