flat head and a helmet

jena2389 · June 2012

Yesterday, i took my baby girl to the physical therapist who said her haid is flat and she will need to wear a helmet 23 hours a day until she is 1 year old. I am completely devistated! Has anyone else had this happen, and if so will she really have to wear it all the time until she is 1?! They also said she has mild torticollis which i guess goes along with having a flat head? HELP PLEASE!

526SadieSadie · June 2012

A friend's nephew had this issue when he was a baby. I can't tell you not to worry because she's your baby and of course you're worried but I will say that Joey is completely fine now (he's 12).

harmonicbabe26 · June 2012

I don't know much about needing a helmet but I found this article when I googled the topic. Interesting...

https://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/sep/24/flat-head-syndrome-helmet-cure

jena2389 · June 2012

Thank you! that is interesting, especially because in the olden days there were no such things as "helmets" so what did they do then? I think i am definitely going to get a second opinion. I do not want my baby to have to wear a helmet.

laclyn · June 2012

I think I would get a second opinion. I have worked with little ones for 10 years now. The only time I saw a helmet needed is when the disformation was SEVERE! My son has a flat spot and when I asked our pedi about it, he said that alot of people get helmets to speed up the rounding out process but they are not necessary unless its a major defect. their heads will round out on their own once they are mobile... i think I would get another opinion. if its not absolutely necessary, why do it? gl!

Redsoxchick · June 2012

Agreed, get a 2nd opinion. I had one doctor(my former doctor) tell me my LO needed a helmet for his flat spot, then a couple others tell me it was fine and would round out on its own. Also, I am willing to bet MOST people have flat spots, they're just not noticeable with hair.

My new doctor said this " if you lay him on his back and his ears touch the floor, you have a problem otherwise it's fine"

Tina272 · June 2012

My daughter had a helmet from 9 months until her 1st birthday. While it was not fun it really was not that bad. We painted it cute and she never seemed to mind wearing it. I had a harder time with the idea of it then she had wearing it.

She did not have severe flat head but it was definitely flat.

She is 2.5 now and I still see a slight flat spot when I wash her hair but I am thankful we did everything possible to correct it.

The earlier you do it the more success you will have correcting the problem. One helmet won't fit your child for 8 months so it won't be that long unless you need a second one.

jena2389 · June 2012

Thank you so much for the response... i dont know exactly what the therapist was saying because i was balling my eyes out, so i was relying on my husband to listen to all the info.. she said something about being on a scale of what a babys head should be and that it should be in the 70's? and hers is in the 90's? i dont know if u know what im talking about, because im not even really sure. Thanks!!

Tina272 · June 2012

Believe me I know exactly how you are feeling. I was in denial for a week or so. Certainly get a second opinion but do your own research and make an informed decision. I would get on it right away though because your baby is the perfect age to have great success with it.

If I remember correctly they have a few measurements they take and the ratio of those measurements vs the average determine if they recommend you get a helmet. I do remember that the average skull is supposed to be one third longer than it is wide.

We went with the Doc Band. There is tons of information on their site.

mben1119 · June 2012

jena2389:
Thank you! that is interesting, especially because in the olden days there were no such things as "helmets" so what did they do then? I think i am definitely going to get a second opinion. I do not want my baby to have to wear a helmet.

In the "olden days" babies slept on their tummies, so they didn't get flat heads. I will say, DS's head was getting pretty flat, but before his pedi got too concerned, he started rolling over and spending more time on his tummy, which helped it round out. If your baby needs the helmet, do it. The flat head isn't just cosmetic-it can cause brain issues.

treble_clef · June 2012

My son wore a helmet at 5.5 months until 11 months. If you are going to do it, do it now. The earlier the better. Yes, 23 hours a day, everyday. It was stressful in the beginning, but we got used to it, and his helmet was actually useful when he started moving and walking as a protection:)

He slept too long on his back on the same spot. I didn't know I was supposed to turn his head left and right. The first month is crucial. We turned our daughter's head left and right to make sure she wasn't sleeping or favoring on one spot. Her head shape is good.

It's cosmetic, like wearing braces, but if your baby has torticollis, she needs to do some exercise too, I believe.

jena2389 · June 2012

I just feel so devistated, and feel like its my fault! I thought i was doing everything right... i guess it is only temporary. I just hope she will be able to get used to sleeping with one on. But i am still going to get a second opinion before she gets it, because the pediatrician never addressed it.. it was my husband and i that said something to her, and she said she doesnt see anything wrong but that she would write a referal anyway. Shouldn't a pediatrician notice something like this?!?!

starswinger · June 2012

A friend of mine has her son in a helmet starting at 5 months. She says he actually likes it on him and cries when they take it off for the hour - sort of a security blanket thing. She decorated the helmet and it says "just fixing a flat!" so others would not question her. He will never remember it anyway.

CJPowers · June 2012

My daughter has torticollis. At her 2 month appointment I said that I noticed that she turns her head to the left all the time. The pediatrician said, "oh yeah it looks like she has torticollis" and gave me a referral to see a PT. I was pissed that the pedi said it so casually as if it was nothing. But then I remembered that they only see them for 5 minutes so I don't blame her too much. I am just glad I said something. We go to PT once a week now and she shows us new stretches and strengthening exercises that can be done to help her neck muscles. The flat head syndrome is very typical with torticollis because babies have their heads in the same position all the time. SO for right torticollis (which is what she has), we have to hold her on our left shoulder a lot, rotate her head when we put her to bed, wear her in a carrier a lot, not keep her in the car seat for more than car trips, and do at least 2 hours of tummy time a day.

If I were you I would definitely get the helmet for my daughter if they saw a flat spot. I would want to do everything that I could when she was young. You may only need it for a few months until things change. I have a friend who's baby has one for plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and another friend who's baby has a body cast for scoliosis. I know its embarrassing but its for the best. But of course get a second opinion. GL

meaganbrand · June 2012

i was just talking to pedi about this today at DD's 4 month appointment. she said DD does have some misshaping but they will reevaluate the situation at her 6 month appointment. she said even with a referral to a specialist they won't do anything until 6 months anyway because between 4 and 6 months they start spending so much more time off their back it usually will correct itself. if made perfect sense because between that time they roll around so much, start crawling, etc. if you're that upset about what the doctor said, you should get a second opinion or just put it off a couple of months. unless of course there is some sort of major deformity going on. just remember if your baby does need a helmet, it's not the end of the world. it's not surgery or anything like that and no one will think anything less of you or your baby.

jena2389 · June 2012

Everyone that has seen her has said she looks perfect. I of course notice little things because she is my baby.. I am getting a second opinion by another pediatrician in the same practice and then another second opinion from a different therapist. Im just concerned that no matter how little or severe the condition is they would treat with a helmet because ultimately they make more money. I have a great pediatrician, but she is just very laid back.. and i made an apt with one i know will be straight to the point. Its kind of cool because its the same pediatricians i saw when i was like 10.

Tina272 · July 2012

We also got a second opinion from the pediatrician I went to growing up. He is like 80 now and still practicing but he knows his stuff. Good luck with everything.

salt78 · July 2012

laclyn:
I think I would get a second opinion. I have worked with little ones for 10 years now. The only time I saw a helmet needed is when the disformation was SEVERE! My son has a flat spot and when I asked our pedi about it, he said that alot of people get helmets to speed up the rounding out process but they are not necessary unless its a major defect. their heads will round out on their own once they are mobile... i think I would get another opinion. if its not absolutely necessary, why do it? gl!

I agree. Head shape will start rounding out on its own when they can sit up by themselves and become more mobile. Your baby is only just 4.5 months old. I think they are really jumping to conclusions.

jena2389 · July 2012

well, went and got a second opinion by another pediatrcian who is head of neo natal intensive care at the hospital.. who told me that the therapist is absolutely crazy and in no way does my baby need a helmet OR have tortacolis! SOO relieved.

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