Had our helmet evaluation

ASmallWonder

Whatever the heck the measurements are, they look for a particular number to fall between 70% and 90% and Quinn is at 97%.  The doctor said she's fine with us doing lots of tummy time, jumper, Bumbo, etc. but that we should know that we're unlikely to see it get to that 90% "normal" number.  She also said that this is purely cosmetic and is so isolated to the very back of his head that it isn't causing any distortion of his ears, face, etc.  We're going to go back in 6 weeks or so and remeasure to see if there have been any changes.

megandchase

Hudson has a pretty bad flat head and it's has gone down slowly in percentile (17th percentile at 4mo) but our pedi also said she wasn't worried. She said his head his very proportional and since it's a little flat it gives him a smaller circumference. She told us to try and keep him off the back if his head as much as we can and if it's still flat at age 1 then we talk helmet but until then not to worry

ASmallWonder

@kari5186 and @violet1183 My opinion is to force the issue if it concerns you.  My pedi told me that she didn't feel the flat spot was going to be anything more than cosmetic but that, of course, that can be reason enough and she set us up to visit a cranio-facial plastic surgeon.  A rep from the "helmet people" came in and measured and then the doctor came in and reviewed the numbers and evaluated him by touch and sight, looking for any impact on his ears, the sides of his head and his face.  She said that at this age a helmet usually takes about 3 months to have the full effect and that they CAN see improvement in older kids (around a year old) but that the helmet generally has to be worn for much longer to see the same results.

If you don't need a referral to see a specialist, go ahead and make the appointments yourself.  If you do, force the issue with your pedi.  It should be nothing to them to let you go and talk to someone.

SLaBM2B

My pedi said he wasn't concerned, but I am.... He kept saying he would need a helmet at a younger age than what he is now, which makes no sense. I think it's time to find a new pedi, or just see the other doc from this point forward

ASmallWonder

SLaBM2B said:

My pedi said he wasn't concerned, but I am.... He kept saying he would need a helmet at a younger age than what he is now, which makes no sense. I think it's time to find a new pedi, or just see the other doc from this point forward

From what I can gather, they aren't concerned unless they feel it's going to impact their brain growth or distort their face.  Even the specialist said that true back of the head flatness is the least concerning because it's the least obvious.  They worry much more if it's on one side since it leave them looking really asymetrical.  

SLaBM2B

@elmoali that's the thing, it is to one side and his head bulges on the right (if he's facing away from me). Let me find a pic

SLaBM2B

ASmallWonder

@SLaBM2B  God, I hate even saying this because I don't want you upset or hurt your feelings but I can definitely see issues there.  If that were Quinn I would absolutely take him to be seen.  

SLaBM2B

I have an appt on Monday for a rash. I will mention it again and demand an evaluation. I am also switching pediatricians. I can't stand this asshole. And a cute pic

SLaBM2B

What is the name of the specialist?

ASmallWonder

@SlaBM2B my memory is the suck.  Are you near me?  Send me a PM, we'll chat.

SLaBM2B

Oh no, I mean, the type of doctor... Pediatric Neurologist?

ASmallWonder

Gotcha - the doctor we saw is a pediatric plastic surgeon through our children's hospital.

flerlgirl

Ours is a prosthetic something or other, @slabm2b. In the sports medicine department of the children's hospital. And they told us they can correct any issues up to 12 months (even as far as 18 if you have to) so don't worry about it being too late!

SLaBM2B

I'm officially stabby over this. Not only with myself, but with the pedi. I should have left that office after our second visit but I felt bad bc my friend works there and didn't want to insult her. WTF IS WRONG WITH ME? This is my child's health and I barely like that bitch that works there.

ASmallWonder

@SlaBM2B don't beat yourself up.  I think this is a big enough deal to leave over but it's nothing that needed to be dealt with before now, really.  Everyone has their "last straw" moment and this is yours  Find yourself a new pedi, get him to a specialist for their opinion and all will be right

Stefanie6743

I swear lo has a flat spot on the left side of his head.  He has a lot of hair so its hard to tell. But he always sleeps turned towards his left, even if i turn his head, he turns it back definately going to speak w his pedi about it

cynthia071173

This post is really scaring me...  I know Emily's head is pretty flat in the back.  Our pedi told us to just keep her off her back as much as possible (except when she's sleeping) and we're trying but it's hard!

Brneyes621

omg this post is scarring me too! My little Nathaniel is a little flat on the right he loves to roll to his right and sleep in this position and has done it sine he was a newborn. The pedi told us that he was starting to flatten out a little and to try to keep him off that side but I have no idea how to this was about a month ago. I have been better at belly but at night I really can't stop him from rolling to his right. :-SS

SLaBM2B

@nursemommy13 - we have an appt with a new pedi tmrw. I will let you know what she says about Rad's oblong head lol

HeartLikeMine3

You guys really have me worried my LO's head is really flat too! My pedi said he wasn't too concerned but if it wasn't better by his 6 month check up we would talk. Now I wish I would have pushed more instead of waiting. It sounds like pedi doctors aren't very proactive.

ASmallWonder

I think pedis look to see if the flatness is causing an issue with their brain or is making them obviously facially deformed.  If not, they're not specialists so they aren't as focused on correcting it, kwim?  Like, a regular doctor will care if your moles are currently cancerous but a dermatologist understands there's more to it than that because that's their specialty.

HeartLikeMine3

elmoali said:

I think pedis look to see if the flatness is causing an issue with their brain or is making them obviously facially deformed.  If not, they're not specialists so they aren't as focused on correcting it, kwim?  Like, a regular doctor will care if your moles a currently cancerous by a dermatologist understands there's more to it than that because that's their specialty.

Makes sense, I will get a second opinion because I know how much easier it is to fix now rather than wait! Thanks

ASmallWonder

ChicagoChic82 said:

If anyone ends up needing a helmet, I'll just say: IT ISNT THAT BAD!!! We are in week two and aside from little kids staring at LO, all we have gotten are "oh he is so cute!" comments. He just loves taking the helmet off and feeling his hair... it isn't the best situation, but I guarantee our kids will face worse at some point in their lives.

You're so right.  The thing that stopped me dead in my tracks was when they said we'd have to come in every two weeks for it to be adjusted.  It makes sense but holy crap - because of where we live, where the doctor is, where daycare is and where we work, we'd be burning through a half day of vacation at least, every two weeks  Obviously we'll do it if we need to but I didn't realize how time intensive it would be.