Just figured out 4 month old has Plagio and mild torticollis - please advise!

[Guest guest]

My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last six weeks of

my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow pelvis...so low that I was

in a lot of pain for those last six weeks. Very early on, I noticed that there

seemed to be a little bump on the right side of my daughter's forehead and that

her right cheek seemed a little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we

became concerned that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her

3 month well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions so she

didn't develop a flat spot.

I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday, December 4th, and

realized her right cheek is significantly larger than her left. It doesn't seem

as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or mirror. I checked her head more

closely from the top and sure enough, there is some flattening on the right

side. I also think her ears might be slightly misaligned.

In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her hair grows in, it

probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so much is the facial

asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek). She doesn't have the same range

of motion looking left as she does right, and she's never had a real problem

with her head tilting - it's just a more limited range of motion to her left

(with the smaller cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it

seems ages away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her

left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner

we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer and swing

for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her facial asymmetry will

get worse or never improve. I can't believe I've let my mommy-blinders let it go

this long.

I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of photos...if anyone

could look at them and let me know what they think, I would so appreciate it!

I've just been so depressed since I realized yesterday that my poor baby is

affected so much. It seems so obvious now. Thanks for reading and for any advice

you can offer.

Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger clinic here ...

does anyone have experience with them?

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to add that the photos are in a folder with my email name

(smccown615).

Thanks!

Sharyn

>

> My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last six weeks of

my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow pelvis...so low that I was

in a lot of pain for those last six weeks. Very early on, I noticed that there

seemed to be a little bump on the right side of my daughter's forehead and that

her right cheek seemed a little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we

became concerned that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her

3 month well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions so she

didn't develop a flat spot.

>

> I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday, December 4th, and

realized her right cheek is significantly larger than her left. It doesn't seem

as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or mirror. I checked her head more

closely from the top and sure enough, there is some flattening on the right

side. I also think her ears might be slightly misaligned.

>

> In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her hair grows in,

it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so much is the facial

asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek). She doesn't have the same range

of motion looking left as she does right, and she's never had a real problem

with her head tilting - it's just a more limited range of motion to her left

(with the smaller cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it

seems ages away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her

left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner

we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer and swing

for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her facial asymmetry will

get worse or never improve. I can't believe I've let my mommy-blinders let it go

this long.

>

> I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of photos...if

anyone could look at them and let me know what they think, I would so appreciate

it! I've just been so depressed since I realized yesterday that my poor baby is

affected so much. It seems so obvious now. Thanks for reading and for any advice

you can offer.

>

> Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger clinic here ...

does anyone have experience with them?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Some other things... Limit car seats and strollers. Watch how you

feed her. When my son was feed a bottle, the flat spot of his head was

always against the nanny's arm. Also, when I breast fed him he stayed

on his bad side more since that way my right arm was free to do

things. We only realized this in hindsight. It was the same for both

my boys.

If your pediatrician dismisses this do not listen. So many

pediatricians don't take plagio seriously enough. could turn his

head in both directions and was never diagnosed with torticollis. He

has a preference to turn right and ended up with mild/moderate plagio.

tipped his head right the first month and that is all we

noticed in terms of neck issues, and even he ended up with very mild

plagio.

You could start alternative treatments such as chiropractic, CST, or

osteopathy.

Don't feel bad. 4 months is early to notice.

-Kathy, mom to 18 months and 5 years

smccown615 wrote:

My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last

six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow

pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last six weeks.

Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little bump on the

right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek seemed a

little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became concerned

that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her 3 month

well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions

so she didn't develop a flat spot.

I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday, December

4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly larger than her

left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or

mirror. I checked her head more closely from the top and sure enough,

there is some flattening on the right side. I also think her ears might

be slightly misaligned.

In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her hair

grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so

much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek). She

doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she does right,

and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting - it's just a

more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller cheek). We

have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages away to get

some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her left side (the

rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner we

still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer and

swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her facial

asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't believe I've let my

mommy-blinders let it go this long.

I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of

photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what they think,

I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I realized

yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so obvious

now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger clinic

here ... does anyone have experience with them?

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharyn,

I see what you described. It is not that bad, but I would definitely

treat. You caught it young, so don't feel guilty. Banding may feel

overwhelming, but compared to the alternative, it is no big deal.

Hopefully, others have some feedback about Hanger for you.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

smccown615 wrote:

I just wanted to add that the photos are in a folder with my email

name (smccown615).

Thanks!

Sharyn

>

> My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last

six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow

pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last six weeks.

Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little bump on the

right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek seemed a

little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became concerned

that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her 3 month

well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions

so she didn't develop a flat spot.

>

> I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday,

December 4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly larger than

her left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or

mirror. I checked her head more closely from the top and sure enough,

there is some flattening on the right side. I also think 630her \ears

might be slightly misaligned.

>

> In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her

hair grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me

so much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek).

She doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she does

right, and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting - it's

just a more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller

cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages

away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her

left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the

recliner we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the

bouncer and swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried

her facial asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't believe

I've let my mommy-blinders let it go this long.

>

> I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of

photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what they think,

I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I realized

yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so obvious

now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

>

> Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger

clinic here ... does anyone have experience with them?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - I agree- my daughter was in a starband for 8.,5 mo = from 5.5 mo to 14 mo and the plagio is gone Her tort was mild too - and we did all types of PT - diligently (she never would tolerate a tot collar). The tort was gone for a year at around 2 years old - other than very rarely and only a slight tilt - it is back now - but still very slight and we are HOPING it is temp. - like a growth spurt. I do not want surgery - risks not worth it for just a small tilt and some kids still tilt even after surgery.

L

Re: Re: Just figured out 4 month old has Plagio and mild torticollis - please advise!

Hi Sharyn,

I see what you described. It is not that bad, but I would definitely treat. You caught it young, so don't feel guilty. Banding may feel overwhelming, but compared to the alternative, it is no big deal.

Hopefully, others have some feedback about Hanger for you.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

smccown615 wrote:

I just wanted to add that the photos are in a folder with my email name (smccown615).

Thanks!

Sharyn

>

> My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last six weeks. Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little bump on the right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek seemed a little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became concerned that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her 3 month well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions so she didn't develop a flat spot.

>

> I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday, December 4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly larger than her left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or mirror. I checked her head more closely from the top and sure enough, there is some flattening on the right side. I also think 630her \ears might be slightly misaligned.

>

> In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her hair grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek). She doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she does right, and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting - it's just a more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer and swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her facial asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't believe I've let my mommy-blinders let it go this long.

>

> I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what they think, I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I realized yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so obvious now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

>

> Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger clinic here ... does anyone have experience with them?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

We found our Starband provider by recommendations off a local parents

email list.

Hopefully, someone on this list can help you find a StarBand provider.

You could also email another query to this group with a new subject

asking for a Starband provider near Baton Rouge.

Best,

Kathy

smccown615 wrote:

Thank you Kathy! If it weren't affecting her face so much, I'd be

willing to try repositioning but since it is affecting her face, I

agree with you - I think she needs the banding too. That whole process

of finding a good orthotist feels overwhelming in and of itself.

Another question: How can I find out who offers StarBands? I wish we

lived closer to a CT Clinic but the closest one is in Dallas - 7 hours

away (we're in Baton Rouge).

Sharyn

> > >

> > > My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For

the last

> > six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very

narrow

> > pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last

six weeks.

> > Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little

bump on the

> > right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek

seemed a

> > little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became

concerned

> > that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at

her 3 month

> > well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't

seem that

> > concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both

directions

> > so she didn't develop a flat spot.

> > >

> > > I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter

yesterday,

> > December 4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly

larger

> > than her left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a

> > photograph or mirror. I checked her head more closely from

the top and

> > sure enough, there is some flattening on the right side. I

also think

> > 630her \ears might be slightly misaligned.

> > >

> > > In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad.

Once her hair

> > grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns

me so

> > much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller

cheek). She

> > doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she

does right,

> > and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting -

it's just a

> > more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller

cheek). We

> > have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages

away to get

> > some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her left

side

> > (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the

recliner

> > we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the

bouncer

> > and swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so

worried her

> > facial asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't

believe I've

> > let my mommy-blinders let it go this long.

> > >

> > > I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a

couple of

> > photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what

they think,

> > I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I

realized

> > yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so

obvious

> > now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

> > >

> > > Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a

Hanger

> > clinic here ... does anyone have experience with them?

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Did you go through two Starbands?

We're staying in our first one past 6 months, but has been growing

slowly since he is older.

-Kathy, mom to , 18 months

llcoler@... wrote:

 

Hi - I agree- my daughter was in a starband for 8.,5 mo = from

5.5 mo to 14 mo and the plagio is gone Her tort was mild too - and we

did all types of PT - diligently (she never would tolerate a tot

collar). The tort was gone for a year at around 2 years old - other

than very rarely and only a slight tilt - it is back now - but still

very slight and we are HOPING it is temp. - like a growth spurt. I do

not want surgery - risks not worth it for just a small tilt and some

kids still tilt even after surgery.

L

-----Original

Message-----

From: Kathy Jensen <kathylorajensengmail>

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Sun, Dec 6, 2009 8:08 am

Subject: Re: Re: Just figured out 4 month old has Plagio and

mild torticollis - please advise!

 

Hi Sharyn,

I see what you described.  It is not that bad, but I would definitely

treat.  You caught it young, so don't feel guilty.  Banding may feel

overwhelming, but compared to the alternative, it is no big deal.

Hopefully, others have some feedback about Hanger for you.

Good luck,

Kathy, mom to , 18 months

smccown615 wrote:

 

I just wanted to add that the photos are in a folder with my

email name (smccown615).

Thanks!

Sharyn

>

> My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last

six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow

pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last six weeks.

Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little bump on the

right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek seemed a

little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became concerned

that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her 3 month

well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions

so she didn't develop a flat spot.

>

> I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday,

December 4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly larger than

her left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or

mirror. I checked her head more closely from the top and sure enough,

there is some flattening on the right side. I also think 630her \ears

might be slightly misaligned.

>

> In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her

hair grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me

so much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek).

She doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she does

right, and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting - it's

just a more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller

cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages

away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her

left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the

recliner we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the

bouncer and swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried

her facial asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't believe

I've let my mommy-blinders let it go this long.

>

> I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of

photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what they think,

I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I realized

yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so obvious

now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

>

> Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger

clinic here ... does anyone have experience with them?

>

[Guest guest]

You can check the

Orthomerica website for STARband locations:

http://www.orthomerica.com/technology/scan_locations.htm

This list only has the names of facilities that use the

STARscanner. Other orthos are authorized to use the STARband, they just

use the casting method instead. If you want to find a STARband provider

closer to you than what is on the list I would suggest calling Orthomerica to

see if they can refer you to someone.

Molly

Novato, California

Nicolas, 4, tort & plagio,

STARband (CIRS Oakland) 4/24/06-9/12/06, Graduate!

, 6.5

, 10

From:

Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On

Behalf Of Kathy Jensen

Sent: 6 December 2009 4:38 PM

Plagiocephaly

Subject: Re: Re: Just figured out 4 month old has Plagio and

mild torticollis - please advise!

Hi,

We found our Starband provider by recommendations off a local parents email

list.

Hopefully, someone on this list can help you find a StarBand provider.

You could also email another query to this group with a new subject asking for

a Starband provider near Baton Rouge.

Best,

Kathy

smccown615 wrote:

Thank you Kathy! If it weren't affecting her

face so much, I'd be willing to try repositioning but since it is affecting her

face, I agree with you - I think she needs the banding too. That whole process

of finding a good orthotist feels overwhelming in and of itself.

Another question: How can I find out who offers StarBands? I wish we lived

closer to a CT Clinic but the closest one is in Dallas - 7 hours away (we're in

Baton Rouge).

Sharyn

> > >

> > > My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the

last

> > six weeks of my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow

> > pelvis...so low that I was in a lot of pain for those last six weeks.

> > Very early on, I noticed that there seemed to be a little bump on the

> > right side of my daughter's forehead and that her right cheek seemed

a

> > little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we became concerned

> > that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her 3

month

> > well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

> > concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both

directions

> > so she didn't develop a flat spot.

> > >

> > > I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday,

> > December 4th, and realized her right cheek is significantly larger

> > than her left. It doesn't seem as noticeable unless it's in a

> > photograph or mirror. I checked her head more closely from the top

and

> > sure enough, there is some flattening on the right side. I also think

> > 630her \ears might be slightly misaligned.

> > >

> > > In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her

hair

> > grows in, it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so

> > much is the facial asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek).

She

> > doesn't have the same range of motion looking left as she does right,

> > and she's never had a real problem with her head tilting - it's just

a

> > more limited range of motion to her left (with the smaller cheek). We

> > have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it seems ages away to

get

> > some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her left side

> > (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner

> > we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer

> > and swing for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her

> > facial asymmetry will get worse or never improve. I can't believe

I've

> > let my mommy-blinders let it go this long.

> > >

> > > I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of

> > photos...if anyone could look at them and let me know what they

think,

> > I would so appreciate it! I've just been so depressed since I

realized

> > yesterday that my poor baby is affected so much. It seems so obvious

> > now. Thanks for reading and for any advice you can offer.

> > >

> > > Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger

> > clinic here ... does anyone have experience with them?

> > >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there, I too noticed my sons plagio at aound 4 mos only I did not have any

idea what was going on when I brought it up to the ped. I initiallyy was

advised to try repositioning but did not seem to work well enough for my son.

you may still be able to try repositioning but I am not sure if it will help

with the facial asymetry or not, not even sure if the band will help either but

my son is quite asymetrical so I am hoping so. He has been in the band now for

over 2 weeks and so far so good. It is a Hanger band, the only option in my

area other than a passive Helemt. The orthotist seems very competent and I

think that is the important thing where ever you have it done.

le

>

> My daughter was born via repeat c/s in early August. For the last six weeks of

my pregnancy, she was extremely low in my very narrow pelvis...so low that I was

in a lot of pain for those last six weeks. Very early on, I noticed that there

seemed to be a little bump on the right side of my daughter's forehead and that

her right cheek seemed a little bigger than her left. By 2 months or so, we

became concerned that she heavily favored looking right. I brought it up at her

3 month well visit, but since she COULD look left, her ped. didn't seem that

concerned and just told us to encourage her to look in both directions so she

didn't develop a flat spot.

>

> I happened to look in the mirror with my daughter yesterday, December 4th, and

realized her right cheek is significantly larger than her left. It doesn't seem

as noticeable unless it's in a photograph or mirror. I checked her head more

closely from the top and sure enough, there is some flattening on the right

side. I also think her ears might be slightly misaligned.

>

> In all honesty, her head shape doesn't seem that bad. Once her hair grows in,

it probably won't be that noticeable. What concerns me so much is the facial

asymmetry (mostly her noticeably fuller cheek). She doesn't have the same range

of motion looking left as she does right, and she's never had a real problem

with her head tilting - it's just a more limited range of motion to her left

(with the smaller cheek). We have her 4 month well visit on Wednesday and it

seems ages away to get some direction. For now, we're keeping her laying on her

left side (the rounded side), or when she's laying on our chest in the recliner

we still keep her rounded side down. We've also put away the bouncer and swing

for now. What else should we be doing? I'm so worried her facial asymmetry will

get worse or never improve. I can't believe I've let my mommy-blinders let it go

this long.

>

> I'm also going to try to figure out how to upload a couple of photos...if

anyone could look at them and let me know what they think, I would so appreciate

it! I've just been so depressed since I realized yesterday that my poor baby is

affected so much. It seems so obvious now. Thanks for reading and for any advice

you can offer.

>

> Oh, if banding/helmets become necessary, we only have a Hanger clinic here ...

does anyone have experience with them?

>