Helmet- not sure if this belongs here..?

Lferr417

So I am not sure what board to post this on ...  so if I am totally in the wrong place I AM SO SORRY! 

but my son has torticollis and brachycephaly and we are getting his Boston Band helmet tomorrow. He is typically a sweaty sleeper so I am definitely worried about potential rashes or overheating..experience? Plus were just hitting the hot summer months too- so that wont help!

We are also in the process of transitioning out of a Rock and Play in our room to his crib in his own room! for the past 3 nights he went from not having it... to spending an hour awake and ALMOST falling asleep... to sleeping 930-130am last night (caved and brought him back in after 20 minutes of fighting it)... slow but steady! Did you LO's have any adjustments with the helmet and sleeping? I am worried that crib and helmet may cause for a few bad nights.. and I want to make this easy on him.

Any advice that you have for our first week with it - cleaning, giving breaks - (should i start slowly introducing it?)- anything you can think of

 Thanks in Advance! 

Oh and he's 5 months old tomorrow (happy 5th months present right?!)  

unm00red

My son wore a DocBand from CranialTech for six months.  Your office will most likely be giving you directions on how to introduce the helmet.  Most offices have you take breaks every couple of hours the first few days to check for rashes and raw spots.

We cleaned our helmet daily with rubbing alcohol.  Your LO will adjust to the helmet over a couple of days and start sweating less.  (Although the helmets can still get rather sweaty and stinky in the warmer months.  Ours wore his through the summer in Phoenix.  It's survivable.)

We honestly had more trouble transitioning out of the helmet rather than into it.  The kids get used to thinking of their heads as invulnerable.    (Be careful of head-butts from your LO.  Ours split my lip twice before I learned my lesson to stay clear.)

Please feel free to PM me with any questions about our experience.

 

Also, one other comment on your LO's torticollis... I strongly encourage you to consider having him assessed by a PT if you haven't already.  Torticollis can contribute to delays in milestones like sitting, standing, walking.  In some cases it can also contribute to speech issues later on.  (We've been through all that with our little guy.)

Steph

 

Lferr417

Thank you both! 

My chest / chin will probably suffer the most as he typically does the shy guy head butt while laughing when someone talks to him when hes in my arms.... Maybe I should get my own- or atleast borrow my husbands hockey helmet.. lol

Not sleep training just yet- he has been amazing about waking to eat 2x a night (really morning at 3 and 530) and goes back down perfectly. Once he is able to start foods i think he will go through the night no problem.

I know i am horrible at caving but it is so hard when your tired... I work full time and thats mainly the reason we started on the long memorial day weekend... I had hope!  He has done amazing since Friday and I hope it continues.

I actually stopped swaddling like 2 weeks ago and he was perfect with no adjustment period. PT recommended to try it in his crib (a loose swaddle) to see if that helps with the startle...

Willing to try anything and everything- I would never be able to handle the ferber method.. gentle shushing and rocking with my hand on his belly seem best - i do good about not picking him up... I know they will learn to soothe but it just breaks my heart! (as every other mom too im sure! )

Thanks for the advice ladies!  

thetwinkies&Vivi

I hope it goes well for your little guy!
Both of my little girls are in helmets for plagio/brachy. They are warm natured girls, so I dress them lightly for the evening and have their fan on low to help. Be prepared for a stinky helmet! We have Starbands. I attack them nightly with a bottle brush and mild dish soap, then wipe with rubbing alcohol and they aren't too bad.

wither16

Hey there!  I dito what the PP have said- they should give instructions etc. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me- we are going on 6 months in our helmet and have a Tort diagnosis, among other things.  I would be glad to share anything I could that might help.  Several ladies on here have been a saving grace for me!!  Good luck!!