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Helmet mommas - questions for you...

IAM4UKIAM4UK
in Cincinnati Babies

We are getting close to an evaulation for Abby's head. She will need to wear a helmet of some sort to fix it. Her head was severely dented inward at birth: see pic below. While its filled in, its still way out of whack.

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I want to get a recommendation on a doctor other than what my pedi recommends. Also, when did you first see the specialist? How long did he/she have to wear the helmet? Was it during summer months? Was it hot for your LO?

I just want to get this process started sooner rather than later. Thanks!

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Katie: 1/16/08 2lbs. 15oz.
Abby & Emily: 12/31/10 6lbs. 2oz. & 5lbs. 7oz.
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Re: Helmet mommas - questions for you...

  • KYMelissa06KYMelissa06
    let me talk to a couple of the girls at work who have had to be evaluated/get treatment at Children's.  I'll let you know in the next couple of days (I'm off til Friday) who they recommend.  
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  • twinsmom23twinsmom23
    We were recommended to Children's plagiocephaly center at the 3 month appt. by the pediatrician.  I think our appointment was at 4 months and we had to have therapy for torticollis from 4-9 months.  Neither child ended up needing a helmut though.  The initial appointment for the helmut consultation was 2-4 hours and involved a group session watching a film about the helmuts and a q&a session.
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  • KYmama9286KYmama9286 member

    Our situation was similar to pp but we saw someone in Plastics at Childrens. They have you come in and usually there are like 4 or 5 other couples w/ babies and you watch an educational video type thing and go through a slide show explaining how helmet therapy works, talking about the different kinds of plagiocephaly and torticollis then you have your individual evaluations by a doctor and physical therapist.

    The PT checks on muscle tone and any weaknesses that your child might have and the dr/nurse does some measurements usually measuring diagonally across the top of your childs head then a number is given and I believe anything over like 11 is when they recommend helmet therapy (it was a while ago but I believe the number is the difference in milimeters between the two diagonal measurements to show if there is any lopsidedness if that makes any sense so 11+mm difference warrants therapy--but dont quote me on this) Nicholas was only a 7mm difference so they didnt think he needed it and we just made a few positional changes at home and it improved on its own (and he started PT for other issues around 6 months too).

    Nicholas had his plagio evaluation done at 4 months and our pedi told us that the window is usually between 4-5 months that they like to see the kids because much after 6 months there isnt as much they can do for the reshaping. I cant speak on the comfort of the helmet since we didnt end up needing it but I know that MelissaMc's DS had one so you might want to PM her for more info about the actual helmet. GL and I hope you can get some answers and a comfortable plan!

     

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  • cat81305cat81305 member
    Same as others.  We went through the plagiocephaly clinic at children's.  Aleck had a 10mm difference which was the minimum for a helmet but we chose not to do it.  He did not have torticolus.  I have known many that have had a helmet during the summer and they make most of them without a top now so it has more air to go through.  Good luck and hope it all works out! 
    Our kids are 19mths apart and we LOVE it!!

    Married to my BFF on 8.13.05 (after dating 5 years)!

    DS born 2.14.08. DD born 9.30.09.

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