some more info on us -- we're new!

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone!

Thanks to all who offered advice and reassurance about my son's

tendency to sweat profusely in his new helmet. I didn't have much

time to write before, and I wanted to introduce us a little more (and

hopefully get some more wisdom from those of you who have been

through this already).

My son (our first child) is 8 months old, and he just got a locally

made Helmet 3 days ago. As I said in my previous post, I am

disappointed that my pediatrician was so laid back about my concerns

during the 2 and 4 month check-ups, but mostly I am frustrated with

myself for not researching this problem earlier. My son's

plagiocephaly is mild to moderate. So we probably could have solved

this with aggressive repositioning earlier had we known. Hindsight,

I guess.

We went with a locally made helmet on the advice of doctors.

ly, I felt we didn't have a lot of time to think about it since

he is already 8 months old. Perhaps we rushed into it and should

have researched the other options, although most people in our area

do opt for these passive devices.

Since he is in the mild to moderate range, and the flatness is mostly

limited to the back/right side of his head (his facial features are

not really distorted), my husband and I wrestled with the decision to

put him in a helmet. His head is definitely misshapen, but from the

front, you wouldn't really notice it. So, I am concerned that maybe

we are blowing this out of proportion, that we should just let well

enough alone. Nevertheless, we finally decided to go ahead with the

treatment, but I'm still worried about whether we are doing what is

best for him. One of the first of many difficult parental decisions,

I'm sure, but that isn't stopping me from worrying.

The helmet doesn't seem to bother him too much, although the sound of

the velcro closure frightens him when I take the helmet off. If he

arches his back when on the floor, the helmet will scoot down and

almost cover his eyes, which worries me a bit and seems to disturb

him, but it usually scoots back up when he straightens out. He just

went to sleep for the night with it on for the first time, so we will

see how well he does with that.

I have noticed several red spots (not always in the same place, but

often on the top/side of his head) when the helmet is taken off, but

they diminish greatly within an hour. The technician who fitted the

helmet said this is normal, that I should be worried only about

bright red spots that don't diminish, but I am still concerned about

the ones that are there.

That's basically our story so far!

One paranoid question for all of you: is there any evidence that

putting an infant into a helmet/band could have negative effects,

such as restricting head growth and brain development? I haven't read

anything terribly negative like that, but I thought I'd throw out my

fears for discussion while I'm at it.

Once again, advice appreciated!

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Message: 24

Date: Tue, 09 Apr 2002 02:34:54 -0000

From: " tssep1968 " <tracysmithschmidt@...>

Subject: some more info on us -- we're new!

...but mostly I am frustrated with myself for not researching this problem

earlier.

I know exactly how you feel with this one. I think that in some of the

reading I've done very recently that their heads are still supple to 18

months, so certainly 8 months is a great time to do this. My son is 10

months, and he's been in his DOCband for 3 days now.

Since he is in the mild to moderate range, and the flatness is mostly

limited to the back/right side of his head (his facial features are

not really distorted), my husband and I wrestled with the decision to

put him in a helmet. His head is definitely misshapen, but from the

front, you wouldn't really notice it.

I'm going to ask them on Thursday what range is in...he sounds like

about the same as your little guy. Flat on the back mostly, but looks find

from the frong. We wrestled with the idea too, but came to the conclusion

that to NOT put him in the band was thinking only of ourselves. Kids can be

cruel, and who knows what kind of teasing he would get when he's older.

Plus, dh has Alopecia (hairloss in circles which may or may not grow back),

and from what I researched this may be genetic. Dh shaves his head right

now. If this were to happen to , his flat head would be there for all

to see with no hair to hide it.

So, I am concerned that maybe

we are blowing this out of proportion, that we should just let well

enough alone. Nevertheless, we finally decided to go ahead with the

treatment, but I'm still worried about whether we are doing what is

best for him. One of the first of many difficult parental decisions,

I'm sure, but that isn't stopping me from worrying.

I don't think you are blowing it out of proportion at all. You are doing

what's best for your son despite your own emotions. I have two very dear

friends who told me they were proud of me because I was putting my son first

above my own feelings. The right thing isn't always easy.

The helmet doesn't seem to bother him too much, although the sound of

the velcro closure frightens him when I take the helmet off. If he

arches his back when on the floor, the helmet will scoot down and

almost cover his eyes, which worries me a bit and seems to disturb

him, but it usually scoots back up when he straightens out. He just

went to sleep for the night with it on for the first time, so we will

see how well he does with that.

's does that too. I think it bothers us more than it bothers him.

Besides, it's only temporary. 3-4 months is a very short time in his life.

I'm kind of happy about the fact that it will be protecting his head. He's

already discovered that when he sits against a wall he can bang his head

without it hurting.

I have noticed several red spots (not always in the same place, but

often on the top/side of his head) when the helmet is taken off, but

they diminish greatly within an hour. The technician who fitted the

helmet said this is normal, that I should be worried only about

bright red spots that don't diminish, but I am still concerned about

the ones that are there.

Most of what you've been saying is mirroring what 's going through...now

I know I'm definitely now alone! We go for his first follow-up appointment

on Thursday, so I'll be bringing these up. She'll probably tell me the same

thing she told me when we got the band, which is the same thing your

technician told you. That's okay. Maybe I just need to hear it a few

times.

It looks like we'll be going through this side be side. You probably did

say where you were from, but I missed it. I'm in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Velma Gallant (Mom to )

Calgary, AB

" When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step

into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things

shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you

will be taught how to fly. " ~~ Teller

http://BetterLife.themomteam.com