XP: *If Your LO Wears A Helmet, Please Come In
I'm not sure if this qualifys as Special Needs, but I figured it was worth a shot.
I wanted to ask you a few things about your LO's getting a helmet. My DD is 2 months old and when she was about 1 month old, we noticed that she would only turn her head to the right. Now with that, she is starting to get a flat spot in the back of her head on the right side and the left side of her forehead seems to be protruding slightly. We brought the issue up to DD's pedi at her 1 month check up and she said that we should try to prop LO's head and that will help. She also said if it didn't get better she may have to have PT and possibly wear a helmet (worst case scenario). DH and I were constantly propping her head up, but she would some how figure out how to get her head turned to the right.
After about a month, we noticed that it wasn't getting better and brought it up at her 2 month check up. Her normal pedi wasn't available, so we figured we could use this time for a 2nd opinion. She told us if we get LO to start turning her head to the left, it will fix the flat spot on the back of her head and will also correct the slightly protruding forehead. DH and I did not feel comfortable with her response, as we have tried to work with DD to help her turn her head and all she does is fight us and scream. We have also changed the side we feed her, her placement in the crib, etc. to see if that will help, but it hasn't done any good. It absolutley breaks my heart.
We then requested to see a specialist and we have an appointment with a craniofacial (sp?) specialist in about a week and a half. Both DH and I are extremely nervous about the visit with the specialist. We have no idea what to expect and worry about what the specialist will have to say. Since you have been through it, can you tell me your story or some words of encouragement? Thanks!
Re: XP: *If Your LO Wears A Helmet, Please Come In
My friend's baby had this same thing. He had torticolis (tightening of the neck muscles) which made him favor one side and created a flat spot on his head. At about 5 months of age he got fitted for a doc band (helmet) and wore it 23 hours a day for 8 weeks. It seems to have fixed the problem. He is doing fine.
I have actually known many people who have had LO's who needed a doc band for awhile. The whole "back to sleep" way of sleeping has caused a lot of this. I know it is scary when you are going through it, but in the end it can be fixed. It might be even easier for you since you have noticed it so early and are hopefully able to intervene early.
Hope this helps!
my sister's son had a broken arm at birth which made him favor one side as well. he started wearing a helmet at 6 months (i think!) and is 10 months old now and will not have to wear it after 2 more weeks! he also wears his 23 hours a day.
the first few days are going to suck. you start out (i believe) on the first day wearing it an hour then taking it off for an hour, the second day wearing it for two hours taking it off for an hour, etc. getting in and out of it is the only thing my nephew seemed to mind. but when you get into wearing it 23 hours a day you only have to take it off once so it's not so bad. he wore his all summer and his hair was constantly sweaty because of it but he didn't seem to notice or care.
anyway, it's done wonders (you could see results in the first few weeks). he's fine and doesn't know any difference, but it's sure going to be nice to see his cute little hair when he gets out of it!
Sounds like torticollis. Both the flat spot and the torticollis are fixable-- what a blessing!
My son had tort and the same issue-- flat spot, protruding forehead and facial and ear asymmetry. He does PT and wears a helmet. Seriously, he could not care less about wearing the helmet. If you follow the instructions and keep it on 23 hours a day, they get used to it. The hardest part is that, as they grow and their head changes, they do get "pressure spots"-- red marks. If the mark stays after removing the helmet for an hour, you need to go in and get the helmet adjusted. Not a huge deal, but it can get old at first.
You can get some fun decals for her helmet, if she needs one, at blingyourband.com .
The helmet will smell. The best thing I have found is to put it in the sun during the hour per day you have it off.
HTH!