Re: Riley's Helmet adjustment

[Guest guest]

Hi e

My daughter Mya has only been in her DOC band for 3 weeks also. I

too live for the hour she has out of the band. I bathe her and clean

the band and then make sure I plan it just right so that I can nurse

her during this time so I can cuddle her and rub her little head as I

used to before she got her band. But I am so excited about her head

changing. WE are already seeing improvements and that is just so

encouraging. Im not sure what you can do to get your child to sleep

on the other side. I never could figure out how to do that with Mya.

I think the Pt has helped her a lot and so now she will sleep any old

way. She sleeps on her belly, both sides or flat on her back with

head turned either way. SHe is doing so much better then when we

started. But we do have some days where it seems like the tort is

coming back. But we have been doing the pt since December. Yes that

therapy ball seems like it is a good idea and I plan to get one for

Mya as well. Good luck! You are doing something wonderful for your

child and soon he will be out of his helmet and turning his head in

every direction and it will all have been worth it.

Christi mom to MYa (DOC band 3/6/02)

> > > > >

> > > > > Hi Everyone,

> > > > >

> > > > > Riley had his first helmet adjustment yesterday at the NOPCO

> in

> > > > Burlington and I can't be happier with the orthotist and the

> > > progress

> > > > he's made so far. The orthotist seemed so knowledgable and

> > really

> > > > took the time to explain everything to me. He also told me

> that

> > > the

> > > > only time he's ever seen the helmet not work was in a baby 12

> > > months

> > > > old with a 36mm discrepancy. His pediatrician kept saying it

> > would

> > > > round out on its own, so by the time he started the helmet it

> was

> > > too

> > > > late...his head growth had stopped and his head hardened so he

> > had

> > > to

> > > > have surgery. I am sooo thankful we are in the helmet while

it

> > can

> > > > still do some work!!!

> > > > >

> > > > > On another subject, I'm so frustrated with my son's

> > tort...we're

> > > > stretching him religiously a few times a day, and some days he

> > > seems

> > > > fine, but others it is worse!! It is a relief that I don't

> need

> > to

> > > > constantly change his sleep position when I see him on his

left

> > > side,

> > > > now that he's in a helmet, but I worry that once the helmet is

> > off

> > > > his head will reflatten on the left side if he doesn't start

> > > > repositioning himself! Any words of encouragement or

> reassurance

> > > > would be appreciated. Does the tort ever fully go away or

will

> > he

> > > > always tilt his head a little when tired or sick? Will he

> always

> > > > prefer to sleep on his left side? Unfortunately, his good

days

> > are

> > > > always the days the PT sees him, so he thinks he's making

great

> > > > progress!

> > > > >

> > > > > There is always something new to worry about!

> > > > >

> > > > > Thanks,

> > > > >

> > > > > Michele (son Riley born 6/37/01, helmet 3/08/02)

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > ---------------------------------

> > > > >