My boy is six months old today - time is flying - he already has four teeth - two top and two bottom. He rolls all over the place and can sit up with some assistance.
I took him down to the Children's hospital today to meet with a plastic surgeon to see if he needs a helmet since his head is pretty flat in the back and sure enough he does. I was told he has severe deformational plagiocephaly and will need to wear a helmet 23 hours a day 7 days a week for 4 -6 months.
Is there any helmet mamas out there - what am I to expect - is it painful for them - how long does it take for them to get use to it??
I blame the rock and play and or the vacuum used at his delivery. I have a love/hate relationship with the rock and play - it was a great sleeper - it had a incline which was great for when he spit up - it really snuggled him and was portable and lightweight and easy to store and he slept in it great - but I believe it cause his flat head because he could not really move around and also it is horrible - I mean HORRIBLE to try and transition him from the rock and play to the crib - from sleeping on an incline all snuggled to sleeping flat and in a large space.
6 comments:
I used to work at a daycare in college and lots of the babies needed helmets. You can get them in different colors or cameo. Help make it better. The babies did not seem bothered by it at all. We also used the rock and sleep but loved it. The transition to the crib was hard, but I think we waited too long. No worries mama, he will be okay!
My daugter needed a helmet and it was harder on me tan it was on her. It wasn't really so bad, though. We quickly got on a schedule for cleaning it (they can get stinky) and washing her hair. You will have regular appointments to have his little head measured. It is incredible to see how quickly the helmet works--it is absolutely worth going through the process.
my twins had helmets. They had to go through 2 actually. i have posts on them and you can email me. good luck momma. they adjust pretty well.
I have followed your blog through my DIL's blog "Miracles come in pairs" My daughter's little boy (now 20 months old) had the same diagnoses as your baby son. The vacuum was also used at my grandsons birth. I was there in the delivery room with her and not only was it used the first attempt failed and they tried again. I was about to scream for the Doctor to stop when my grandson made his appearance. I did a lot of research and several articles said using the vacuum can cause the Plagiocephaly condition. Jayson was 7 months when he first was examined by a Pediatric Orthpedic Specialist. And 9 months old when he finally started wearing his helmet. We were told he would have to wear the helmet for 4-6 months. It was amazing how fast his head began to shape perfectly. He only ended up having to wear the helmet for 3 months. As someone mentioned in a comment above, they get really smelly , but nothing wiping down with alcohol didn't fix :) we bought stay bottles at the dollar store and just filled them up with alcohol , we wiped the helmet dry with paper towels. Jayson didn't have a lot of hair but we still washed his head each day. The first few nights we gave him Tylenol to help him sleep. And as someone also mentioned it is harder on the parents then the little ones getting used to it. I hope your baby boy's correction time is as fast as our little Jayson's was. Also my daughter blamed herself , she felt she didn't position his head right while he slept. or didn't do enough tummy time. She felt much better when I read her the medical articles about the use of the vacuum during birth. God bless you and your family.
Chase had a helmet. It was no biggie at all! He didn't even notice it after the first day. Wore it 5 months (Han.ger StarBand). If you have a Cranial.Tech anywhere near you, they are the best. Good luck--it will be so worth it when you're done!
My son (now 2.5) had a Doc Band from Cranial Tech. He got his at 4 months and only had to wear it for 8 weeks! I was freaking out about it but it was seriously no big deal. He didn't even notice it. I don't think there is anything parents do or don't do to cause it. We never used a rock and play for him (only a bassinet) and we did use one for our daughter (born the same day as Colin!) and her head is fine. I think some heads are just softer and some babies are just content to keep their head in one spot. You are a perfect mommy! I know it will all go well and you won't regret it :)
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