Babysitter

[Guest guest]

I was just wondering if anyone is currently taking there child to a

sitter? And how does the sitter or daycare seem to be handling the

helmet. I have a home sitter and am kind of concerned. Hopefully my

daughter will get her helmet on Monday. My daughter also has Tort

and I guess that I wouldn't really know if she was doing her neck

exercises or not. I am probably just worrying for nothing but was

wondering if anyone was feeling the same way.

Celeste, Arizona, Mom to Madison

[Guest guest]

Celeste,

I can't help you too much with the babysitter thing because was staying

with my hubby and my mom during the day when she wore her helmet. Also, she

didn't have tort so stretching wasn't too much of an issue.

I think if you explain to your sitter and leave her some instructions to

refer to she shouldn't have any trouble working with the helmet and the

stretches. The more information you can provide to her about why your baby

has the helmet and requires the stretching the more likely she is to jump in

with both feet and really help out.

I know this has been a tough one for many of our members so I think you will

get some good responses on this. Good luck!!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

Hi Celeste,

I know exactly the anxiety you are feeling in leaving your child with a sitter with all of these new things to be concerned about, i.e., helmet and tort. I had my son in daycare a month after learning about his tort- so talk about stress!!! I wanted to quit my job at one point because I was so worried. I printed out information on what he has, and tips on how to hold him correctly. Also pointed out that I wanted his head propped to midline as much as possible (with rolled receiving blankets) in the swing and bouncer (only had him in these with helmet later to ensure no progression of flatness before he got the band).

They were instructed on how to take the band on and off, although directed that this was to be done only in case of overheating. They were so freaked about the tort, that the info really helped, and they thought the DOC band was making him cry one day, so they took it off. I informed them that he cries WITHOUT the DOC band on too, and not to take it off for this reason (of course, this was well into the wearing process, so it was not a matter of uncomfortableness at that point). We had him stay home for a week so that we could get him used to the DOC band before hitting daycare. I NEVER shut up about it, everyday, I would ask if they were able to keep him midline, any problems with the band- making them informed and explaining what its for takes the 'scariness' out of it. I made up a sheet of information that addressed my concerns and said, "I need your helping hands to heal my child- you are his daytime angels" - something like that- it gets them very involved and makes them accountable for part of the process while in their care. You should know whether or not the babysitter is doing exercises, either YOU want her to, or you don't. My daycare ladies would watch me do a few things, and then incorporate that into their daily routine. I would not show them aggresive stretches, but if you feel comfortable with that, it would be a great asset if done correctly. Insist that the sitter do supervised tummy time- start with small increments and build up. I was shocked to learn was up to 30 min.! I will attach a link that explains the holds, stretches. Good luck, please email me if I can help you in anyway. (you can also join the support group torticolliskids for great tips and advice).

' Mom

Stretches/Holds