new here...daughter was tested for cranio and was negative

[Guest guest]

now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't used

that word...

She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head shape.

Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped. told

me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

checkup...should i do something sooner?

mama to (5/16/04)

[Guest guest]

,

If your gut is telling you to do something about it now, don't listen to the doctor and wait until her 6 month check-up. I would check into getting a consult for a band/helmet. There are many places that do bands/helmets for plagio. The place I went through with my first daughter was Cranial Tech. They have the DOC band, there are other places that have the starband, and another one I think called a Hanger helmet.

I really liked Cranial Tech, and they do free consults. You can go to www.cranialtech.com to see if there is an office near you or if you would have to travel a distance. Others can give you more advice on the other types of bands/helmets as I am not familiar with those.

I know a band/helmet sounds scary and traumatic but it is definately more traumatic for the parents than it is for the babies. The babies adjust to it really fast and my daughter absolutely hated to have hers off for the hour for cleaning and bath time.

Where are you from. There are people from all over here and many could tell you where they go and what there experience is/has been with different places.

I hope this helps some. My daughter that was in the DOC band is now 5 years old and doing wonderful. I have another daughter who will be 2 months on Tuesday, and we have already noticed some flatness on the right side of her head. We are currently working with repositioning and if it gets worse instead of better between now and her 4 month check-up I will be looking into a DOC band for her.

Johanna and repo'in Annlyse

>From: "" <brandy_muth@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: new here...daughter was tested for cranio and was negative >Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:55:39 -0000 > On the road to retirement? Check out MSN Life Events for advice on how to get there!

now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't used

that word...

She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head shape.

Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped. told

me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

checkup...should i do something sooner?

mama to (5/16/04)

For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Maybe she is not stuborn, very probably she has torticullis. Most of the babies with plagio has and actually that is one of the cause for the plagio.

A specialist can determine if she has torticullis and they will give you some execersises to do with her to overcome this condition.

I would reccomend you to take her to a specialist. Where are you?. Maybe here there are some moms from your area that can tell you what specialist or hospital is familiar with plagio treatment.

Good luck!!

Ivonne & (6 months)

Plagio/Branchy

DOC banded Sept 22

Dallas,TX

<brandy_muth@...> wrote:

now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't used that word...She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head shape.Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped. told me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month checkup...should i do something sooner?mama to (5/16/04)For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi again!

We are about an hour north of Pittsburgh, PA...I looked up cranial

tech and the nearest office is near Cleveland OH...too far!!

Anyone more local to me?

> now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't

used

> that word...

>

> She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

>

> She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

shape.

>

> Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

> stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

>

> Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

told

> me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> checkup...should i do something sooner?

>

>

> mama to (5/16/04)

>

>

>

> For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

,

It sounds like she may have torticollis if she is favoring one side.

I'd go back to my pediatrician (or to a new one). If she has tort

they will tell you to do certain neck exercises or send her to

Physical Therapy. I would also discuss repositioning with my ped at

this time so it will be noted that you have discussed repositioning.

This site also had a database for repositioning. Finally, I would

call my insurance company and find out what options you have for

helmets in your area. They will probably tell you to call around to

the various Duabale Medical Equirpment suppliers in your area. If CT

is to far, you may have a Hanger facility that uses Hanger helmets

or STARBANDS. Maybe there is a local company using local helmets.

Good Luck,

Dianna

Mom to

DOC Band 9/13

plagio/brachy

In Plagiocephaly , " " <brandy_muth@a...> wrote:

> now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't

used

> that word...

>

> She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

>

> She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

shape.

>

> Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

> stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

>

> Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

told

> me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> checkup...should i do something sooner?

>

>

> mama to (5/16/04)

[Guest guest]

Hi

Welcome to the group. There is a great resource in the Database

section on the left hand side panel- click there to find a list of

helmet/band providers- it's got 166 in there, so hopefully there

will be one near you.Someone from the group may know who is near you

as well.

I think you are doing really well to have found out about this so

early on. It does sound like your daughter might have plagio and you

are right that positioning at a young age could really help. The

time betwen 4-6 months is a time of massive growth in the skull, so

successful repo at this stage could yield results. However, as

someone has pointed out, if your daughter has any stiffness in the

neck which prevents full movement on one side (tort), then it will

make repo very hard- your daughter may not be able to turn her head

onto the bulgy bit. There are neck stretching exercises you can do

to loosen these and they do work- I used them for my daughter and

found her ability to lie on the bulgy side of the head improved

greatly. You might want to get her evaluated by a PT though to check

how to do this- I think the actual exercises are in the files

folder.

Also in the files folder is a brilliant resource about repositioning-

as you have correctly sussed out, our little ones don't always know

about plagio, and so don't want to do tummy time or have their heads

repositioned- they've not yet learnt mummy knows best (!) Luckly

lots of people have been there before you, and so there is a

document on repositioning there that is essential reading.

A lot of people doing repo on younger babies take photos of them

every week. take a back shot, two side shots and a top bird's eye

view shot- perferably when the hair is wet so you can see the

headshape. That way you can see if the plagio is getting worse, and

also helps you set a deadline for repo. Often if people don't see an

improvement or if it worsens in a month/two months, they look into

getting a band (if that's what they want to do)

At four months you have lots of options, including repo/and or

getting a band. You have done brilliantly to find out all about your

daughter's flat spot and I think there is every reason to think you

could see really good correction.

Good luck

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Plagio, Cranio helmet, 4th July

> > now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't

> used

> > that word...

> >

> > She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> > results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

> >

> > She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> > flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

> shape.

> >

> > Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> > bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's

a

> > stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

> >

> > Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

> told

> > me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> > checkup...should i do something sooner?

> >

> >

> > mama to (5/16/04)

> >

> >

> >

> > For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Hi , welcome to the group. You will be so glad you joined!

There is so much info. on this site and from all of the wonderful

parents in this grp. I am in Buffalo and may possibly be one of the

closest active members in the grp. We travelled to Rochester, NY for

a STARband. Is that any closer than Cleveland? I would not mind

talking with you by private e-mail as well. You are smart to be so

aware of your daughter's head shape now. It's a shame that ped's do

not acknowledge or think it needs attention. Please continue to

aggressively reposition her. If you can take pictures from all angles

to track your progress that will help you greatly since you see her

every day and will be unsure of the progress. You *may* also need

this for ins., should you pursue the band/helmet. It is not as scary

as it seems; I hope you *do* see progress with repo'ing but if not we

can help you along this journey.

Sue

Colin F., 1

STARband grad 9/15/04

Buffalo, NY

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <brandy_muth@a...>

wrote:

> now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't used

> that word...

>

> She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

>

> She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

shape.

>

> Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

> stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

>

> Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

told

> me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> checkup...should i do something sooner?

>

>

> mama to (5/16/04)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! Like the others have mentioned, if you are

concerned then get the ball rolling NOW! The younger the better

when it comes to plagio treatment. Good luck, Natasha

Atlanta, GA

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <brandy_muth@a...>

wrote:

> now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't

used

> that word...

>

> She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

>

> She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

shape.

>

> Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

> stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

>

> Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

told

> me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> checkup...should i do something sooner?

>

>

> mama to (5/16/04)

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group. I can see you have a ton of responses. I

haven't read them all so hopefully this isn't a total repeat.

Good news on the negative cranio. When is your next visit? If it

isn't cranio then plagio would be my next thought.

It sounds like maybe she has a bit of tort or tight neck muscles.

Have you been in the files seciton yet? We have some great repo,

tummy time, and tort advice. Lots of tips. Tummy time is very

important. Most of us can attest to how bad they hate it when they

have tight necks. Start with small goals, 10-30 seconds every hour

and work your way up.

Take pictures of her head shape now and every two weeks for

comparison purposes (very helpful when convincing a doc and insurance

that nothing has changed, it's gotten better or it's gotten worse).

The most helpful views are birds eye (top), each side, back, front

and chin shot (check out the Doc band B & A pics for examples). Try to

take them from the same angle each time. It's easier if one person

holds the baby and the other takes the pic.

Have you seen the severity assessment forms?

http://www.cranialtech.com/medicalinfo/identifyplagio.html

If her case is mild waiting until 6 months is OK. If it is moderate

to sever then getting started now would be better. The AAP does say

that repo until 5 months is standard protocol. After 5 months if the

case warrants than helmet therapy is protocol.

AAP Proposal Nov. 2003

News article outlining new guidelines for treatment of deformational

plagiocephaly are proposed 11/5/03

http://www.docguide.com/news/content.nsf/news/8525697700573E1885256DD5

007FCDB8?

OpenDocument & id=48DDE4A73E09A969852568880078C249 & c=Paediatrics & count=1

0.htm

(you will need to copy and paste the whole link into your browser

because it's too long)

HTH

mom to na

DOC Grad 2/04 at 8 1/2 months

Tort Resolved

SC

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <brandy_muth@a...>

wrote:

> now we think she has plagio...although the pediatrician hasn't used

> that word...

>

> She was tested for craino after her 4 month visit a week ago and

> results were negative...all sutures are 'normal for age'

>

> She always lays on her left side...her left side of her head is

> flat, and the right side sticks out...she also has a long head

shape.

>

> Its being a real challenge to get her to change positions..i've

> bought a DEX crib positioner and a boppy noggin nest..but she's a

> stubborn little thing...and she HATES tummy time...

>

> Any advice as to what to do next woudl be appreciated. The ped.

told

> me we would 'monitor' this and see what happens by her 6th month

> checkup...should i do something sooner?

>

>

> mama to (5/16/04)