My LO got a helmet. Not very flattering so far.
Posted May 2, 2014, 11:16 PM UTC
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I dunno. I think this is one of the most adorable pictures I've seen in ages. :)
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Aww. :) Thank you!!
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My boy has a helmet too.
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Today was out first full day and it's making me so sad. I know she'll get used to it but I miss her fuzzy hair and cuddles. :(
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That was what I missed the most too, snuggling his head, especially when I was baby wearing him. :/
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Aw. A friend's son had his plates fused and had to have them separated, had to wear the helmet for quite a while. After they took it off, he spent a lot of time hitting his head on things ;)
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I've been told that she might have to be reminded that she's not invincible after we're finished. :)
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Mind sharing more info about the outcome for your friend's son? Was development okay after the surgery to separate the plates?
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Yes, he's 5 now. They had regular appointments to check growth and alignment. After wearing the helmet his head looks totally normal and his development now that he's a kindergartner is well within normal. He did need speech therapy and developed speech more slowly, but his older sister (who was helmet free) also had therapy with normal timed speech development.
Also, their pediatrician at first was totally convincing them everything was fine, but it was noticeable within his first month. They insisted on a second opinion and were right, plus had to have the surgery almost immediately. One of those trust your gut situations.
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How long does she have to wear it? Can you take it off for bath time or sleep time?
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Twenty-three hours a day. We have an hour off each time to clean her and the helmet. Apparently they get pretty stinky. And the doctor told us to expect 4-6 months but it could be a little as 2 or 3 depending on how quickly she grows.
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Is it comfortable for her? Does she acknowledge it by touching it or trying to get it off? Good luck with it!
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Right now it seems like it's too low on her forehead so it frustrates her because it makes it hard to see. We're taking her in first thing Monday morning to have it adjusted so hopefully they can fix that. It doesn't seem to bother her otherwise thank goodness.
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Oh man. Our LO is 7 weeks and her head is a little uneven from favoring one side. For the past week we've been forcing her to the other side, and she has become more comfortable with it and even laying that way on her own when she never did before. We have our 2 month checkup coming up and hopefully this won't be necessary.
Well wishes for you and your LO.
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Thank you! It sounds like you're doing the right things. :). Our gal was stubborn so we didn't have much luck with repositioning. Congrats on your new little one!
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Aw:)
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I'm a pediatric Physical Therapist and we see lots of kids with helmets. I'm hoping your LO is in physical therapy as well? Plagiocephaly is only strictly cosmetic a fraction of a percentage of the time. Typically it is due to position AND tight muscles. If the muscles aren't addressed, then the band will be ineffective. She does look cute in her helmet though :). Did yours come pre-decorated?
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Can I ask what the helmet is for?
It's to fix flat areas on the head. Since the skull is still so soft, it's pretty common for babies to get these from being on their backs so much, especially since the Back to Sleep movement.
Her head is a little asymmetrical from favoring one slide when she sleeps. It's pushed one of her ears forward just a little. It's totally cosmetic (I think more severe cases could cause medical issues). I think I'm a little extra sad today because some study came out today saying the helmets are useless and I'm a week and $2700 into this. Hooray. :/ Trying to stay positive.
My son wore a DOC band for 4 months and it worked great. http://imgur.com/bzQPeSf I'd be interested to read the study.
Your little one is a cutie in her band, btw! I'm sure you'll both be used to it in no time.
Those pictures make me feel better. Thank you! He's a little cutie too. :)
Here's a link to an article about it. http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2014/05/01/helmets-do-little-to-help-moderate-infant-skull-flattening-study-finds/. Hopefully that will work... I'm on my phone.
$2700? Yikes! Do you have private insurance? Did it cover part of it?
You have a beautiful daughter and the helmet is only temporary. She'll get it off in no time :).
My copay for her plan is $3000. :( It would have covered it though. That covers all of the appointments and adjustments so I try to keep that in mind. :)
Edit: And thank you!
My oldest needed to have a helmet. Totally not useless, the right side of his head was flat, and one ear was pushed forward some and now is head is only like 1mm away from being literally perfect.
Thank you so much for sharing! I'm feeling a lot better.