Anyone get a helmet at 8+ months?

jenhum · February 2009

At DD's 6 month appt, the pedi thought her head looked a little flatter than it did at her 4 month appt, so she referred us to a specialist to see if they think she needs a helmet or anything. Unfortuntately, they are really busy and full, so by the time she'd get to see the doctor she'll be almost 8 months old.

I'm thinking that will be too late to do anything about it anyway. The left side of her head is definitely flatter (she is still not sitting unsupported so she still spends a decent amount of time on her back), but not the worst I've seen. More tummy time isn't an option, she hates it and rolls over immediately. If I don't let her roll, she screams.

WDYT? Would you take her anyway and just see what the doctor says, or just hope that she has nice thick hair to cover it up, lol?

auburnbride2be · February 2009

We went to our first neuro appt. at 5.5 months and again this week around 7.5 months. They want to see her again at 9 months to decide for sure. She's improved, but not enough for us to rule it out yet. They said anytime before 18 months is ok, but they like to do it before 1 year because they see better results. I know how you feel. It took a couple months to get in with the neuro office. At least your DC has hair!!

I think you have time, but I understand wanting to know asap. I want to move forward asap if we are going to need it.

radiokate · February 2009

I can't believe they can't get her in for two months! Sheesh! From what I researched when I was dealing with this for DD, it seemed like earlier intervention was better, but I'm sure you would still have great results. However my pedi believes that for the entire first year their heads are still forming and that there is still plenty of time to correct it, so she just suggested we try lots of things on our own, and that really helped and I do notice a big difference. So maybe try to correct it the best you can until the 8 month appt, and maybe it will start to change on it's own and you won't need the helmet by then?

Even if she can't sit on her own, how about trying to use the Bumbo or BebePod chair? We would put DD in that and then still put her on the playmat so she could still play with those toys, she would just be upright. We also used a sleep positioner for a short time to prop her on the opposite side while she slept, and even though she would always end up the other way, I felt good knowing that she got at least SOME time off the flat spot! HTH!

MrsSavannah · February 2009

Can you get an appointment earlier with a different dr?

jenhum · February 2009

Thanks ladies! You just confirmed my feeling that it certainly won't hurt to see the doctor at 8 months and at least see what he says. We do have a Bumbo that she sits in every day, and she spends a lot of time sitting in my lap too, so I'm hoping that's helping. And she is really close to sitting up now too.

MrsS- they are sending us all the way to UNC for the appt, so I'm assuming either they are the only people that do this or they are the best in the area.

auburnbride2be · February 2009

BTW - My DD had a huge improvement between 6 months and now. She hated tummy time too, but now that she sits up on her own and sleeps on her side and tummy sometimes, it has made a world of difference. Plus, I asked her daycare not to put her in the swing and bouncy seat where she'd put pressure on her head, so they've helped too. Good luck!!

bostonfingerlakes07 · February 2009

We were just fitted for ours last week....when he gets is he will be just shy of 9 months. The Neurosurgeon we saw said it wasn't too late, but now was the time to do it! DS saw HUGE improvement over the last few months, but we decided to go with the helmet to make sure these last few months of major growing really help fix the flat spot. Our DS also sleeps on his tummy, crawls all day and is basically never on his head...the progression just started slowing around 7 months so we're playing it safe.

bostonfingerlakes07 · February 2009

Also, if one side is flatter have they considered torticollis or was she already treated for this?

jenhum · February 2009

She just really prefers to look to the left. She was checked out to make sure there was no muscle tightness making it uncomfortable for her to look to the right, and there wasn't. She definitely can look to the right and does a lot more than she used to- but she still prefers to look to the left.

She almost always sleeps looking left, and she's a very light sleeper so we can't turn her head after she falls asleep (even when it doesn't make her mad, she just turns it right back).

HappyNov · February 2009

We started physical therapy at 2 months for tortocollis and a flat head and last week we graduated and didn't have to go to PT anymore. She improved greatly with repositioning techniques. Turning her head at night...i see you've tried that but I would say keep trying...feed her the opposite way she prefers and making her look the opposite direction she prefers when she's playing. Like all her toys would be to the side she doesn't like. And I agree with PP, restrict swing and bouncy time and put her in the bumbo or on your lap when you can. I think you should still see a specialist at 8 months. I dont' think that will be too late.

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