Re: For Moderators and Veterans of this site

August 12, 2004

Very good Amy! Thank you for doing that.

I was told to use white paper towels only but it's good that you said

to check with your orthotist. I did not know about not using a hair

dryer! I have only used it once and on the cool setting...

Our ortho told us something which I thought was a good gentle

reminder: if your baby is crying be sure to check all of the things

that you would normally check for crying as most likely it is not the

helmet!

HTH

Sue

--- In Plagiocephaly , " Amy in MN " <skisum88@h...>

wrote:

> I noticed lots of newbies need answers and tips on how to help baby

> adjust to their helmet when they first get it. I check in the

> files, and didn't notice any documents of this nature created, so I

> swiped some of Krissy's very helpful tips from her post yesterday,

> and added some more, and this is what I came up with. I'd like

> everyone's approval before I place this in the files to help all

the

> newbies. If I left something out, let me know and I will add it.

> Or if some wording needs to be changed let me know.

>

> ~Amy, mommy to Jaden 9 mo's MN

> CranioCap Grad! 8/6/04

> Started Chiro 6/29/04 mild tort/mild scoliosis

>

> Here it is:

>

> TIPS ON HELPING BABY ADJUST TO 1ST HELMET

>

> If you notice red spots: If they do not disappear within 30

minutes

> to 1 hour, contact your orthotist immediately. An adjustment may

be

> needed in order to prevent skin breakdown and alleviate pressure if

> the helmet is kept on.

>

> If you notice skin breakdown/rash: Usually hydrocortisone cream

> will help clear up the redness. Check with your orthotist and

> pediatrician on what to use. If your baby has eczema, ask about

> Elidel, which can be applied first before putting the helmet on and

> will not affect the performance of the helmet.

>

> How to clean your baby's helmet: Usually, 91% alcohol will be

> sufficient in cleaning the inside of the helmet and help prevent

> odor. Apply to a cotton ball or washcloth, wipe the inside, and

let

> air dry. Do not use a hair dryer, as this may change the texture

of

> the foam lining, possibly affecting the performance of the helmet.

> Check with your orthotist 1st before cleaning, different helmets

may

> have different cleaning instructions.

>

> If your baby has a fever: Immediately remove helmet and leave off

> until fever has broken. If left on, the helmet could elevate the

> fever, putting your baby at risk and left feeling very

> uncomfortable.

>

> If you live in a warm climate and sweating is an issue: Dress baby

> lightly the first few days or weeks until he/she acclimates to the

> helmet. Onsies work well. Halo also makes a cotton SleepSack and

> can be found at JCPenney.com or BabyCenter.com. Sweating will

> usually subside after baby acclimates to the helmet. A fan set on

> low in baby's room will provide nice circulation (do not aim at

> crib, especially if you use the AngelCare Movement Sensor Monitor,

> as the breeze is enough to produce false movement on the crib,

> disturbing your sensor), and will also provide a nice " white noise "

> to help baby sleep better. Some helmets will allow powders, like

> ZeaSorb and Gold Bond Itching Powder, but again, check with your

> orthotist on their recommendation.

>

> If baby cries while helmet is on: Our little one's are so very

> adaptable, that most take to their helmets like a fish in water.

> However, if your baby cries until the helmet comes off, check to be

> sure there is no redness from too much pressure in the helmet. If

> this is not the problem, try slipping the helmet on baby while

> he/she is sleeping. They are too tired to do battle with you and

> should fall right back asleep once on. Although you want baby on

> schedule and wearing the helmet according to the orthotist's break-

> in period, some baby's do take longer to adapt to

wearing " something

> funny " on their head. Be patient. Baby will eventually adjust.

>

> If baby is taking helmet off: A simple barrette enclosing the

> Velcro will prevent your wee one from ripping the Velcro off and

> pulling the helmet off. After a few attempts, they will eventually

> forget and come to love their little " hat " .

>

> If helmet is scary to baby AND parents/family members: Go out and

> buy a TON of stickers (usually the clearbacked ones are the easiest

> to remove) and decorate your baby's helmet! There are some helpful

> hints in our files on doing so. Some family members will even go

> out and buy additional bike helmets to wear around the house while

> baby wears his/her helmet. Make it fun for everyone! Decorate

> everyone's helmets! Even older siblings may feel left out and want

> a " hat " . Why not? Decorate a bike helmet for big brother or big

> sister. They will feel included in baby's helmet treatment.

August 12, 2004

Hi there

Good idea! YI don't know if you want to add this...but I thought I'd

mention it on the advice of our doctor, Dr Blecher:

Use the alcohol sparingly as it can dry and irritate the skin. The

cloth that you soak in alcohol should be damp rather than soaking

wet, and you have to use muscle power rather than the alcohol to

clean the band. It is normal for the band to look a little grubby on

occasions if it has been hot (sweat stains), but a good scrub often

sorts this out. It also helps with the sweaty odour!

You might also like to add:

It is better to err on the side of caution if there is a red spot.

It is better to leave the band off for a few hours or a night than

to continue with a red spot and cause further trouble. It might seem

a shame to take it off when you are starting out, but most skin

problems are sorted out easily if they have not been allowed to get

out of hand.

Hope this helps- I won't be offended if you don't use them!!!!

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Plagio, passive helmet, 4/7/04

--- In Plagiocephaly , " Amy in MN " <skisum88@h...>

wrote:

> I noticed lots of newbies need answers and tips on how to help

baby

> adjust to their helmet when they first get it. I check in the

> files, and didn't notice any documents of this nature created, so

I

> swiped some of Krissy's very helpful tips from her post yesterday,

> and added some more, and this is what I came up with. I'd like

> everyone's approval before I place this in the files to help all

the

> newbies. If I left something out, let me know and I will add it.

> Or if some wording needs to be changed let me know.

>

> ~Amy, mommy to Jaden 9 mo's MN

> CranioCap Grad! 8/6/04

> Started Chiro 6/29/04 mild tort/mild scoliosis

>

> Here it is:

>

> TIPS ON HELPING BABY ADJUST TO 1ST HELMET

>

> If you notice red spots: If they do not disappear within 30

minutes

> to 1 hour, contact your orthotist immediately. An adjustment may

be

> needed in order to prevent skin breakdown and alleviate pressure

if

> the helmet is kept on.

>

> If you notice skin breakdown/rash: Usually hydrocortisone cream

> will help clear up the redness. Check with your orthotist and

> pediatrician on what to use. If your baby has eczema, ask about

> Elidel, which can be applied first before putting the helmet on

and

> will not affect the performance of the helmet.

>

> How to clean your baby's helmet: Usually, 91% alcohol will be

> sufficient in cleaning the inside of the helmet and help prevent

> odor. Apply to a cotton ball or washcloth, wipe the inside, and

let

> air dry. Do not use a hair dryer, as this may change the texture

of

> the foam lining, possibly affecting the performance of the

helmet.

> Check with your orthotist 1st before cleaning, different helmets

may

> have different cleaning instructions.

>

> If your baby has a fever: Immediately remove helmet and leave off

> until fever has broken. If left on, the helmet could elevate the

> fever, putting your baby at risk and left feeling very

> uncomfortable.

>

> If you live in a warm climate and sweating is an issue: Dress

baby

> lightly the first few days or weeks until he/she acclimates to the

> helmet. Onsies work well. Halo also makes a cotton SleepSack and

> can be found at JCPenney.com or BabyCenter.com. Sweating will

> usually subside after baby acclimates to the helmet. A fan set on

> low in baby's room will provide nice circulation (do not aim at

> crib, especially if you use the AngelCare Movement Sensor Monitor,

> as the breeze is enough to produce false movement on the crib,

> disturbing your sensor), and will also provide a nice " white

noise "

> to help baby sleep better. Some helmets will allow powders, like

> ZeaSorb and Gold Bond Itching Powder, but again, check with your

> orthotist on their recommendation.

>

> If baby cries while helmet is on: Our little one's are so very

> adaptable, that most take to their helmets like a fish in water.

> However, if your baby cries until the helmet comes off, check to

be

> sure there is no redness from too much pressure in the helmet. If

> this is not the problem, try slipping the helmet on baby while

> he/she is sleeping. They are too tired to do battle with you and

> should fall right back asleep once on. Although you want baby on

> schedule and wearing the helmet according to the orthotist's break-

> in period, some baby's do take longer to adapt to

wearing " something

> funny " on their head. Be patient. Baby will eventually adjust.

>

> If baby is taking helmet off: A simple barrette enclosing the

> Velcro will prevent your wee one from ripping the Velcro off and

> pulling the helmet off. After a few attempts, they will

eventually

> forget and come to love their little " hat " .

>

> If helmet is scary to baby AND parents/family members: Go out and

> buy a TON of stickers (usually the clearbacked ones are the

easiest

> to remove) and decorate your baby's helmet! There are some

helpful

> hints in our files on doing so. Some family members will even go

> out and buy additional bike helmets to wear around the house while

> baby wears his/her helmet. Make it fun for everyone! Decorate

> everyone's helmets! Even older siblings may feel left out and

want

> a " hat " . Why not? Decorate a bike helmet for big brother or big

> sister. They will feel included in baby's helmet treatment.

August 12, 2004

Amy,

I think this is a good idea with only one problem. Different

bands/helmets have different protocols for cleaning and care. For

example, Cranial Tech says to only use alcohol on the DOCBand. It

is the only thing that is proven to not irretate any skin type

because once it dries it TOTALLY evaporates. A STARLight made by

Orthomerica can be washed with soap and water, then rinsed and

dried. It would be hard to put a general cleaning file to refer a

new member to for this.

One more thing, if we had a general file like this, then the group

wouldn't need us moderators or veterans.

Now I think if we could enter the cleaning protocol for each band

that can/are used that would be great!

Dustie