My son officially diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Needs the helmet

el25 · December 2011

I feel so guilty, like I had to have done something wrong. I really don't thnk we left him on his back too much. We did tons of tummy time. I know he will only have to wear it for a short time, but I still feel terrible. We are still awaiting insurance precertifiation (got to love insurance) and part of it is covered. I just feel like a bad mom.

youaremysunshine323 · December 2011

Don't feel bad at all! DS had to have a helmet and I don't think that he was on his head too much. I just think some babies are more prone to getting it and there isn't too much you can do about it. You are being a great mom by getting the helmet and taking care of him. Good luck and PM if you need to talk. He will look so cute in his helmet! PIP as proof!

el25 · December 2011

He does look adorable. Now that I know he needs it, I just want the helmet now. I don't want to wait. Unfortunately it doesn't look like we will get it for a few weeks.

youaremysunshine323 · December 2011

I completely understand that. You just want to get it now so that you can be done with it asap. It may take a couple weeks to get it and to have the insurance sorted out but it will definitely be worth it. The improvement that you see even in the first week is amazing! Keep your head up! You are a great mom!

Hopeful1! · December 2011

Don't feel bad, it has become a big problem since the back to sleep campaign and pediatricians never seem to talk about it. DS #1 wore 2 DOC Bands from www.cranialtech.com and it was way harder on his parents than it was on him. Wink He didn't miss a beat and it is a distant memory and his head and face are now symmetrical. I am convinced that both of my twins would have had the same problem if I hadn't been on top of the situation from the day they were born. They both slept on the same side and William has pretty bad torticollis. I have been using a Noggin Nest with both of them, I wish I knew about that with DS # 1.

Yahoo has a really great support group. https://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Plagiocephaly/

Let me know if you have any questions.

dorothy&gail · December 2011

Hopeful1!:

Don't feel bad, it has become a big problem since the back to sleep campaign and pediatricians never seem to talk about it.

This exactly. A very close friend of mine had a daughter who had to wear the helmet for a few months as well. And she is the furthest thing from a bad mom!

globetrotting7 · December 2011

Trust me, you are not a bad mom. My son was held all the time as a newborn. He slept on top of me from day one, did tons of tummy time, and still had to wear the helmet. You didn't do anything wrong.

el25 · December 2011

Thanks for all of the kind words. It definitely makes me feel better. We are going to Cranial Tech too. He will get the doc band,

mhaas28 · December 2011

I had the same feelings when my doctor recommended me to the specialist. My son has a pretty severe case too. I had said something at his 4 month appointment, but the doctor we saw kind of brushed it off (not my regular pedi).

He has been wearing it for a little over 3 weeks and I already notice a huge difference. I also think he looks adorable in it and is still the happy baby that I know and love! Here is a pip for you! He does not even notice it is on. There is a chin strap that they said we didn't have to keep on, but we are paranoid it will fall off at night w/o it.

Way to do what is best for your kid

g00dg0llymsm0lly · December 2011

Throw that guilt away! We had a craniosynostosis scare a couple of months ago and it turns out that it was just super flat in the back; a helmet may or may not be in our future; but I know that guilt, and you don't deserve it!

You know why you are a good mom? Because you took him to the doctor, because you're getting him the helmet! He'll thank you later for not letting him go through life with a funny lookin' noggin lol.

lauros7776 · December 2011

Don't beat yourself up. Both of my kids had varying degrees of plagiocephaly (neither has required the helmet)and I was hyper aware of the amount of time my 6 month old spent on his back and he still ended up with a flat spot. In fact, both of mine had flat spots at birth just from the way they were positioned inside. My pedi explained that some kids are more prone to it than others. It sounds like you did everything you could. I bet your LO will have great success with the helmet! Good luck!

cindydee · December 2011

Don't feel guilty. It can happen to any baby whether we try to avoid it or not...It is a lot tougher on the parents then the child. Good luck and it will be over before you know it. Smile

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My son officially diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Needs the helmet

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