xp F/U Helmet Mamas....Thanks for the insight and a ?

WhiteysWifey

hi ladies,

  I've spent some time really looking at DD#2's head and I think, based on the sites I found online, that she really does need a helmet.

 I called our insurance I don't need a referral, BUT what kind of doctor do we see? We live in a really rural area and I'll probably have to go to Albany, NY to see someone.

 

Thanks.

etoyama

Good for you for being proactive, momma! We were referred by an orthopedist, but I believe a craniofacial surgeon could also refer you. And your pedi can refer you to either of THOSE docs. Good luck!

LucyPevensie

First, see if there is a cranial technologies anywhere near you - www.cranialtech.com  - they provide a helmet called a DOC band.  It is a very good product.

They will do a an evaluation for free (I think) - and can tell you what the next steps are. 

If not -- you can go to STARband's orthoamerica site and look up providers that may be close by.  STARband is also a good product.

Hangar is another maker of helmets for this condition - their helmet is very similar to the STARband. 

An orthotist is the person who fits the helmet - and maintains and reshapes it as necessary (this involves shaving the styrofoam down as your child's head grows correctly) while your child is in the helmet.

The younger you start - the better.  You will see more and better correction - usually in a shorter time - the younger the baby is - so you are smart to be looking into this NOW. 

You need a scrip for a helmet - you can get one from your peditrician - but I got one from specialists at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh - the folks in their cranial-facial department. 

Some pediatricians are VERY reluctant to recommend helmets and even anti-helmet - telling moms it will round out on its own.  However - that's usually not true.  It will correct a little on its own - but significant flatness is best dealt with - with a helmet.  And the longer you wait - the harder your baby's skull is becoming - and the less correction you'll see.  So it's not usually in your baby's best interest to "wait and see" - as many pediatrician's will tell you.  If you wait - and it doesn't get better or even gets worse - now you're at a point where you'll see even less correction - especially the closer you get to one year of age.  And the babies do NOT mind the helmets at all - they are annoyed for like - a day - then they forget all about it. 

GL mama, it's a pain in the butt but you'll get this figured out!