Helmets for flat spots

Re: Helmets for flat spots

• momofmanyinthemitten member

  March 2014

  I just want to mention that you could always try OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) from a DO (doctor of osteopathy) before you go the helmet route. DH is a DO, trained in peds, and has treated many cases of torticollis with manipulation (totally painless) successfully. You would need to do your research on docs in your area to find one who is peds trained and routinely does OMM.
  

  
  

   
  
  

  

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• ValR1919 member

  March 2014

  Mobile bumping please forgive if no paragraphs. My lo had a helmet from 4 mo till just before her 1st birthday. Her head was very visibly flat on both sides and the back. It was by far the best decision. Our insurance covered it ( most don't) so it was only $300 oop. The first few nights where rough then she didn't even notice. It was tougher on me than it was on her.
  
  The dr recommended a 2nd helmet and in hindsight I wish we had done it but insurance would not cover a 2nd treaent and it would have been 3k out of pocket. Her head is 90% better and her hair covers any spot that may remain but I still can tell when I feel her head.
  
  

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• teacherjulie member

  March 2014

  My son just graduated from his helmet.  He was in OT for torticollis and that helped but the flat spot is more than likely from his position in utero no amount of OT/PT was going to fix it.  He is much better, to me seems a little flatish but the helmet clinic says all better.  His progress is huge.  

  

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• MissyC979 member

  March 2014

  petdocd  He is really cute! Glad you're having luck. My son's measurements across are 13mm off, so it's looking like we're going to need it. We're going back in two weeks to remeasure, but unless there is significant improvement, we're probably going to take the plunge. Ugh.
  

  
  
  
  

  

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• NL105 member

  March 2014 edited March 2014

  I can't provide any detailed insight on the helmet just yet, but just wanted to comment that my DD is 5 months now and when she was born, her head wasn't perfectly round but it wasn't too noticeable. Fast foward to 4 months and the back of her head is noticeably wider and flatter, Dx is Brachycephaly. Pedi said many cases of plagiocephaly/bracycephaly are popping up these days due to the "back is best" for sleep movement- which makes sense. So her pedi referred us to O.T. just in case DD needed it, who then measured her head and did some exercises and said she moves perfectly fine, no torticollis, etc. (If she had issues moving her head around and such, we would've had to go to O.T. once a week.) So she and our pedi referred us to just get a helmet to help round out her head. We went to the medical supply place, they took her measurements with a laser type scanner, and we're picking up her helmet in 2 days. We paid like $480 OOP after insurance. She'll need to wear it for 3 months "23 hours a day". It's going to be a big adjustment for obviously, and probably several sleepless nights ahead of us, but it's for the best. The O.T. had mentioned something about depending on the severity of the shape of the head, it can possibly interfere with development, etc. Her pedi and the O.T. both just stressed the importance of tummy time and trying to keep them off their backs unless they're sleeping.

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