My grandaughter had flat spots on the back of her skull due to sleeping on her back. She is 6 mo. now and an orthopedic dr. just fitted her with a helmet to help in re-shaping her skull. Has any mom's had experience with this? We understand the need for this but after one week my daughter is having problems getting her to sleep with the helmet on so she is not wearing it 23 hrs. a day as prescribed by the doctor. Any suggestions or any experience anyone has had with this would be very helpful. Thanks!
Hi K.,
I had a great- grandson who had the same issues- he had to wear his helment until he was almost two.....it took some time but he did eventually get used to it- it just takes time, ut it important that he wear it 23 hrs a day........My great grandsom coule only take his off to bathe.......... patience
Blessings
Hi K.,
My son just finished with his Starband- he is 16 months old. First let me tell you- she has a huge advantage for getting started so early. We waited until 10 months- and although he looks great- I still can't help but wonder if he would be 100% if we would have banded earlier. The most important part is keeping it on 23 hours a day. It is hard but with her being young she may only have to wear it 12 weeks- and Mom may have to get up with her several times a night if she is uncomfortable. It is worth the sacrifice. It may take a few nights to find her comfortable position - but they do find one.
One thing with my son is he sweated alot in the beginning so we dressed him very lightly to help.
There is also a Yahoo group http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Plagiocephaly/ This site is full of information- and a support group for parents who are dealing with Plagiocephaly and Brachy.
Hope this helps! Feel free to message me if you have any other questions!
I personally did not have to deal with the helmet but a friend did. Of course, the baby will fight it, but tell your daughter to stand her ground. It won't take all that long. If she takes it off now, when this child grows up (into the difficult teen-age years when they're so rebellous anyway)she'll be blamed for the misshappen head that no hair-do can cover. A few fights now with a baby will be much better than a lifetime of resentment. After all, she's the mother and is supposed to do what is best for the child.
Hi K.,
My son wore a helmet from 4-7 months and it was tough for him to adjust. I was super strict about keeping it on 23 hours a day because I knew the more I kept it on, the sooner it could be taken off.
Maybe your daughter could gradually increase the time the baby wears the helmet? Eventually she'll be so tired that she'll just forget it's there.
If there are any red spots on the baby's head, you may want to get the fit checked.
Good luck.
K.,
My son had to wear a helmet as well. You would be surprised how common this seems to be getting. The previous response has a point with being sweaty when wearing the helmet. One other thing to consider is if there is a spot on the helmet may be irritating her. If you are not already aware of this, when removing the helmet, check for red spots on the points of her head where the spots are NOT suppose to be--if they are there, then it may be pressing in the wrong spot. Also, if the red spots do not disappear after an hour, then it may not be fitted right and your daughter may need to consult the orthopedist--which she should do anyway regarding this issue. Ensuring that your granddaughter has tummy time, sitting up time, any time off her back is really important in the reshaping process. My son had plageocephaly, misformation on the sides rather than the back of the head. This was due to tight neck muscles so we were referred to a physical therapist for him to strengthen both sides of his neck so he could turn both ways. I would ask if this may be necessary as well.
Sorry, a little more advice than you probably asked for--I just know how curious we were when we went through this.
I would get a second opinion before sticking your granddaughter in a helmet. The skull is not fused at that age and should naturally reshape itself as she spends less time on her back.
Good Morning K.
I had that problem with my oldest daughter who will be 36 in May. What my dr stated is that every morning when feeding your child is softly massage the head. It will take sometime for you to see a change, and during the time you child is asleep reposition your granddaughter,every hr. Best of luck with the helmet. My daughter would not wear it either. It caused sores that I could not handle.
I would get a second opinion. My son had a flat spot and after talking with my doc about it he said the head does not fully shape itself until they are three years old. Most insurances do not cover the helmet because it is not proven to help more than just time does. Going to a neurologist to make sure there is nothing wrong with the brain and going to physical therapy would be my suggestion on this. Once mine became mobile he never really seemed to sleep on that spot or even lay on it. We did lots of tummy time and I would keep moving his head from side to side so he was not always laying on the same spot.
I am not a doctor but in my experience the head does not shape itself. My son wore a helmet at 7 months until 10 months. He probably should have worn it a bit longer as his head is still not perfectly round (I don't mean perfectly, you get the idea.) Part of his forehead and ear still stick further out then the other. Without the helmet where would he be? It is an adjustment but one the kid must just get used to. You clean the helmet each night and try to make them as comfy as possible. There is no choice. It is harder on the parents than the kids. Not to sound harsh, but just do it. They will do skin checks for breakdown. If you see red spots or anything odd, let the doc or orthotist know and they may adjust the helmet. The younger they are, the faster the treatment, IMO.
You know I don't have any experience with this, but I know some gals who do. I am involved with the Woodlands Mothers of Multiples group and I know that there are several who have had to use the helmet. If you'd like to email me with this same description from above, I can forward your email to the group and see who may have some valuable advice for you. My email is ____@____.com. I am sure the other mothers who have gone through this know exactly how you are feeling and what you are going through. Just let me know.
A.
www.InvestingInMyKids.com
I also say get a second opinion. My son had a flat spot and was told by one doc to get it banded right away but after seeing a Neurologist about the band was told not to band or helmet him. We were sent to Physical Therapy. With that and alot of tummy time his head re shape itself. Look into getting an Exersaucer for your grandaughter. That's what our Therapist told us to do. Kids love to play in them where they're safe and up off their heads. Her head will round out in no time.
