Re: sleeping on tummy??

March 31, 2000

Hi , thanks for the respone.

Yes, is sitting up, sort of!. We realise that tummy sleeping won't

actually 'correct', we were just racking our brains to think of ways to avoid

any further damage. He sleeps around 10 hours at night ( a big SORRY to all

those mums and dads that don't get that!)

As he has severe torticollis as well, his head always falls back on the same

spot. We're going to try propping his head in a more central position

tonight, once he's gone to sleep, using the head protecter from his

stroller. If this doesn't work, we'll have to be inventive and think of

something else!

Thanks for your help,

March 31, 2000

One Step Ahead makes a mattress that is supposed to help prevent SIDS. I

have to warn you though the mattress is taut and hard. When Bobby kicked it

with his hands and feet, it sounded like a drum. And the fan is what I

consider loud.

We put Bobby on his tummy at 5 months old to stop the deformation. I can't

recommend it for you, but if you do it, you should:

Not put any comforter, pillows, stuffed toys or blankets in the crib.

Not overdress the baby.

SIDS diminishes I think at about 6 months. I wouldn't even think of putting

on his tummy if he can't lift his head and turn it from side to side when he

is awake. And I would be aware of his condition everytime he cries. I spent

months with a flashlight checking Bobby. This is crazy since I put my 15

year old down in the crib on his tummy and never gave it another thought. He

is an extremely handsome young man today with a beautiful head. I wish I had

done the same for Bobby. I feel like I can never trust a doctor again.

Judy

March 31, 2000

Also do not put him on his tummy on any soft surfaces like a regular bed

mattress.

Judy

March 31, 2000

<< One Step Ahead makes a mattress that is supposed to help prevent SIDS. >>

I think this was just recalled, but I am not sure if it is the one.

Karla

March 31, 2000

To All

I spent last night reading many of the presentations on research that the

Cranial Tech people give at these medical symposiums. The journals are

extremely informative. You find them under the Information Center -- at the

bottom.

I only wish I had heard of the DOC Band when Bobby was two months old. This

would have been " been there, done that " already.

They have studied hundreds of children over the last decade. It is all quite

impressive information. After having read much of it, I would say get the

band at as soon as you have a diagnosis -- don't even try positioning. Read

the research and see if you agree.

Judy

March 31, 2000

< After having read much of it, I would say get the

band at as soon as you have a diagnosis -- don't even try positioning. Read

the research and see if you agree. >>

I don't know if I completely agree with this. Repositioning is working for

us. I think if someone has a VERY MILD case, repositioning can work.

Jenna's is VERY MILD and repositioning is working. The bands and helmets are

expensive and require a lot from the parents and babies. If it can be fixed

without it, I think that is the way to go. Believe me, I would go for the

helmet or band if I did not see the improvement I am seeing. I was ready to

go for it a month ago, but I kept telling myself, give it a month. I am so

glad I did, her head looks so much better today, even in the mirror! So, if

you are diagnosed with a MILD case, be aggressive about repositioning, it can

work. Also, Jenna was young, she was 2 1/2 months when we started with the

repositioning, that may also have something to do with it. If more parents

knew this early on, it could work more often then not.

Karla

March 31, 2000

But Karla, if your baby doesn't have torticoliis, like most of us, the

repositioning is much harder & not successful. For most of us repositioning

alone DOES NOT help. It has taken work to manage the torticollis. The

amount of time it has taken to get their neck muscles so that they CAN EVEN

turn the other way, is long & without the doc band or helmets their little

heads would get WORSE! Also, I wouldn't want other parents to try the

exercises until guided by a dr or physical therapist. You are very fortunate,

but " waiting a month " is valuable time when it comes to getting orthotic

intervention. I just don't want anyone to get a false sense of security in

the " wait & see " approach, and I have faith that Cranial Technologies would

not needlessly cast a child unless they truly felt it was for the best for

that child. Kimry

March 31, 2000

Thanks for the reply ,Heidi.

I think the basic idea in support of non-vinyl mattress's, is that a 'normal'

cloth type mattress is breathable. Even once a baby has enough control to

lift and turn head from side to side whilst awake and on tummy , it's thought

they somtimes only get head half-way i.e face down, when moving in their

sleep.

I'm not absolutely sure of the facts here, but I think the SIDS risk

increases when baby's air quality is reduced. When face down on a

non-breathable material, plastic/vinyl, the carbon-dioxide (or is it the

oxygen?-told you i'm not sure!) levels are disturbed. Please correct me if

I've given incorrect info here.

In the UK., you cannot buy a crib mattress with complete coverage of vinyl

for the reasons stated above.

I have serious misgivings about putting on his back. As somebody said

earlier today , i'd rather have a bit more correction to do on his head, than

go in and find him dead. I know that sounds dramatic, but for some poor

parents, it obviously happens.

Still experimenting with putting rolled up towels etc under head.

Will report if we have any success

regards RACHEL.

March 31, 2000

,

try rolling up a blanket (not too big, but big enough!) and putting

it under the length of his body on the flat side (under the shoulder and

down). Then put a receiving blanket over the roll and under '

back, so the roll doesn't slip (I hope that makes sense!) He may resist

at first, but when he falls asleep, because that side of his body is tilted

up, his head will naturally fall the other way.

He will probably wiggle his way out of it, but after he falls asleep,

gently wedge it back under there. You'll at least get a couple of

hours with him off his spot!

Good luck, I hope this works, at least for a while!

Kendra

Usamos@... wrote:

Hi , thanks for the respone.

Yes, is sitting up, sort of!. We realise that tummy sleeping

won't

actually 'correct', we were just racking our brains to think of

ways to avoid

any further damage. He sleeps around 10 hours at night ( a big

SORRY to all

those mums and dads that don't get that!)

As he has severe torticollis as well, his head always falls back

on the same

spot. We're going to try propping his head in a more central position

tonight, once he's gone to sleep, using the head protecter

from his

stroller. If this doesn't work, we'll have to be inventive and

think of

something else!

Thanks for your help,

March 31, 2000

For me, I would rather fix a flat head than find my daughter has died of

SIDS.

But yes! These health care "professionals" should be telling moms

about plagio. when they leave the hospital, handing out brochures, even

those silly little movies you get to watch in the hospital should show

how to position babies!!

They should have started spreading the word the second they found a

flat head!!!

grrr!

Sorry if I offended anyone with that first sentence. I guess

sometimes harsh words come with such strong feelings.

Kendra

\rmissirian@... wrote:

One Step Ahead makes a mattress that is supposed to help prevent

SIDS. I

have to warn you though the mattress is taut and hard. When

Bobby kicked it

with his hands and feet, it sounded like a drum. And the

fan is what I

consider loud.

We put Bobby on his tummy at 5 months old to stop the deformation.

I can't

recommend it for you, but if you do it, you should:

Not put any comforter, pillows, stuffed toys or blankets in the

crib.

Not overdress the baby.

SIDS diminishes I think at about 6 months. I wouldn't even

think of putting

on his tummy if he can't lift his head and turn it from side to

side when he

is awake. And I would be aware of his condition everytime

he cries. I spent

months with a flashlight checking Bobby. This is crazy since

I put my 15

year old down in the crib on his tummy and never gave it another

thought. He

is an extremely handsome young man today with a beautiful head.

I wish I had

done the same for Bobby. I feel like I can never trust a

doctor again.

Judy

March 31, 2000

I hate to sound grim, but has anyone wondered about the torticollis - SIDS

connection? I understand about the build up of the carbon monoxide, but for

a tummy sleeper who CAN NOT PHYSICALLY turn his/her own head to get " fresh "

air, has to be more at risk. Abby favored sleeping head tilted to her right

from birth...I believe she was born w/torticollis, not that the plagio.

caused it (kinda like which came first...the chicken or the egg). If that's

the case, I'll take a helmet/band any day over the other possibilty. If that

is the case, then plagio is a blessing in disguise. Kimry

March 31, 2000

In a message dated 3/31/00 3:46:07 PM Pacific Standard Time,

roseandandy@... writes:

<< If you were in my shoes, and understanding that earlier is

better, would you look for a different doctor and an arlier appointment??

>>

yes, try to get in earlier with someone else, that way if they recommend a

band or helmet, you are right-the earlier the better.

As for the neurosurgeon/ologist question...our ped said that if we had

craniosynostosis that we would see a n.surgeon & for plagiocephaly a

neurologist.

Good luck, take it all in stride, everything will be fine, take a deep breath

& go by your gut instincts. Kimry

March 31, 2000

Something to add to these good suggestions. There has been some correlation

between a baby just getting over a cold and succumbing to SIDS shortly

thereafter. If your child comes down with the sniffles, put them on their back

when they go to bed - just to be safe.

C.