Re: Please help - our 18 mo baby plagiocephaly is not getting better

[Guest guest]

If her head looks triangular in shape, she probably has brachycephaly. There is

an increased width to length ratio. Sometimes there is also increased head

height. The head looks very wide and short, and the head is flattened across the

back. I would recommend getting evaluated by Cranial Tech, since they have the

most experience treating older babies. The window of opportunity is closing, so

I would call today and request an appt.

>

> Hi,

>

> Our daughter is almost 18 months. We have observed her plagiocephaly since she

was 7 months (mainly). We then asked the pediatrician what we should do and she

said that we simply should force her to sleep on her side with a blanket behind

her back. As you might know, it is not really efficient and it didn't change a

thing. The doctor also said that it should also round up on its own over time

(by the time she is 2 or 3 yo). We were not convinced and actually switched to a

second pediatrician. Same conclusion but this time we finally got an appointment

with a specialist. He acknowledged the plagiocephaly but said that it was really

mild and wasn't even sure that he would have recommended a helmet when she was

7/8 month old. He said that it will round up a little more but slower. Our

daughter is now 18 mo and I am VERY worried that the " triangle " shape of her

head is getting worse. My wife and I are miserable on this topic and have NO

idea what to do at this point. My wife believes the pediatrician when he

promises us that our baby's head will round up by the time she is 2.5 or 3. My

wife thinks she sees it getting better but I don't.

>

> I think I am observing her head grow in the wrong direction (top right and

left sides - like in a triangular shape) rather than pushing towards the back.

How is a baby's head supposed to grow? Is it possible that due to the

plagiocephaly, the skull plates are evolving in the wrong directions?

>

> Any feedback, advice etc. is welcome. What can we do? Do you know the best

specialist on this matter in San Francisco?

>

> Thanks,

>

> -G.

>

[Guest guest]

I was told the same thing, that my son's head would round out by 2 or 3, but I

broke down and got him a band at 17 months old because there had been little to

know improvement from the time he was 6 months old and mobile. He wore 2

DOCBands for 8 months and we saw significant improvement, however his head was

not perfect at graduation and is still the same shape now at age 3.5 (I still

notice the forehead bossing and flat spot though no one else does). I would get

her a helmet/band as soon as possible. Any little correction you can get now

before she turns one is better than none. From my experience, the head does not

round out on it's own, it just continues to grow evenly in the same shape.

Cranial Tech has typically the most experience in treating " older " babies, but

STARBands are good too. I had to keep going to doctors until one was willing to

write a script. Don't give up if it's something you really want to treat. My

son's before and after photos are in the Older Plagio photo folder under Jake W.

if you want to check them out.

Good luck!

Jake-3.5 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Raleigh, NC

>

> Hi,

>

> Our daughter is almost 18 months. We have observed her plagiocephaly since she

was 7 months (mainly). We then asked the pediatrician what we should do and she

said that we simply should force her to sleep on her side with a blanket behind

her back. As you might know, it is not really efficient and it didn't change a

thing. The doctor also said that it should also round up on its own over time

(by the time she is 2 or 3 yo). We were not convinced and actually switched to a

second pediatrician. Same conclusion but this time we finally got an appointment

with a specialist. He acknowledged the plagiocephaly but said that it was really

mild and wasn't even sure that he would have recommended a helmet when she was

7/8 month old. He said that it will round up a little more but slower. Our

daughter is now 18 mo and I am VERY worried that the " triangle " shape of her

head is getting worse. My wife and I are miserable on this topic and have NO

idea what to do at this point. My wife believes the pediatrician when he

promises us that our baby's head will round up by the time she is 2.5 or 3. My

wife thinks she sees it getting better but I don't.

>

> I think I am observing her head grow in the wrong direction (top right and

left sides - like in a triangular shape) rather than pushing towards the back.

How is a baby's head supposed to grow? Is it possible that due to the

plagiocephaly, the skull plates are evolving in the wrong directions?

>

> Any feedback, advice etc. is welcome. What can we do? Do you know the best

specialist on this matter in San Francisco?

>

> Thanks,

>

> -G.

>

[Guest guest]

I meant before she turns 2, sorry!

Jake-3.5 (DOCBand Grad 9/08)

Raleigh, NC

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > Our daughter is almost 18 months. We have observed her plagiocephaly since

she was 7 months (mainly). We then asked the pediatrician what we should do and

she said that we simply should force her to sleep on her side with a blanket

behind her back. As you might know, it is not really efficient and it didn't

change a thing. The doctor also said that it should also round up on its own

over time (by the time she is 2 or 3 yo). We were not convinced and actually

switched to a second pediatrician. Same conclusion but this time we finally got

an appointment with a specialist. He acknowledged the plagiocephaly but said

that it was really mild and wasn't even sure that he would have recommended a

helmet when she was 7/8 month old. He said that it will round up a little more

but slower. Our daughter is now 18 mo and I am VERY worried that the " triangle "

shape of her head is getting worse. My wife and I are miserable on this topic

and have NO idea what to do at this point. My wife believes the pediatrician

when he promises us that our baby's head will round up by the time she is 2.5 or

3. My wife thinks she sees it getting better but I don't.

> >

> > I think I am observing her head grow in the wrong direction (top right and

left sides - like in a triangular shape) rather than pushing towards the back.

How is a baby's head supposed to grow? Is it possible that due to the

plagiocephaly, the skull plates are evolving in the wrong directions?

> >

> > Any feedback, advice etc. is welcome. What can we do? Do you know the best

specialist on this matter in San Francisco?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > -G.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Not sure if you got it, but here's CIRS Palo Alto contact info:

3260 Ash St Palo Alto

650-426-0102

We saw Bob and I would highly recommend him. They use to be a part of

Standford hospital but broke off from them a couple years ago. Bob has been

doing this for YEARS so he knows his stuff.

My son graduated from his Starband 7 months ago and his head looks great.

However we started him at 4 months. I'm sure you may be able to squeeze in some

results in the next couple of months if you get .

the helmet ASAP. At 18 months their heads don't grow as fast as infants so the

results prob won't be dramatic. However, sometimes a little bit can go a long

way. I noticed an immediate difference in my son's head shape after 2 weeks.

Also, I doubt there's anything wrong with your little one's skull plates.

That's something your pedi would have caught immediately (it's a serious

condition). Most likely the misshapen head is caused by sleeping on her back

and genetics.

If you have any questions feel free to email me: mcdietrich1979@...

I'm happy to show you before and after pics.

good luck. I know this process can be EXTREMELY stressful

>

> Hi,

>

> Our daughter is almost 18 months. We have observed her plagiocephaly since she

was 7 months (mainly). We then asked the pediatrician what we should do and she

said that we simply should force her to sleep on her side with a blanket behind

her back. As you might know, it is not really efficient and it didn't change a

thing. The doctor also said that it should also round up on its own over time

(by the time she is 2 or 3 yo). We were not convinced and actually switched to a

second pediatrician. Same conclusion but this time we finally got an appointment

with a specialist. He acknowledged the plagiocephaly but said that it was really

mild and wasn't even sure that he would have recommended a helmet when she was

7/8 month old. He said that it will round up a little more but slower. Our

daughter is now 18 mo and I am VERY worried that the " triangle " shape of her

head is getting worse. My wife and I are miserable on this topic and have NO

idea what to do at this point. My wife believes the pediatrician when he

promises us that our baby's head will round up by the time she is 2.5 or 3. My

wife thinks she sees it getting better but I don't.

>

> I think I am observing her head grow in the wrong direction (top right and

left sides - like in a triangular shape) rather than pushing towards the back.

How is a baby's head supposed to grow? Is it possible that due to the

plagiocephaly, the skull plates are evolving in the wrong directions?

>

> Any feedback, advice etc. is welcome. What can we do? Do you know the best

specialist on this matter in San Francisco?

>

> Thanks,

>

> -G.

>