Re: new here, decision time

[Guest guest]

Hi there

It sounds like you have done a pretty good job with the repo- I

guess the question is should you continue with that, or opt for a

helmet. The fact that you have seen success with the repo is

excellent, and there is the option of carrying this on (what a

pain!) for another six months or longer. There is a study, I can't

remember which one, which showed that helmets and repo both worked,

but the repo took much longer, so it would mean persisting for a

while yet (I'm sure Christie who repoed her daughter knows the

research I am talking about). So that might be one option, given the

plagio seems mild and that it is working relatively well.

On the other hand, it might be worth getting some measurements so

you can sit down with the figures and consider a helmet/band. It

doesn't sounds like you are too keen on the Clarren, and I think

that if you are not keen on this particular treatment this can be

problematic if you then hit troubles with the helmet- perhaps you

will be less likely to persist. Compliance is everything really with

helmets. Is there any way you can get to a CT (Cranial Technologies)

evaluation- I've no idea how far you would have to travel? I've

heard from others in the States that they don't recommend a

band/helmet for quite mild cases, and it would provide you with a

set of measurements to make your own judgement. You could then know

that you had investigated every option, and decided yes or no on the

basis of the best available knowledge.

I woudn't take too much notice of what others think on this one. Go

with your own instincts, as lovely as the chiropracter and ped might

be, they will not be in yours and your daughter's life for ever, and

they have professional opinions which others might disagree with. By

the way, with reference to what the chiro said, research has shown

that the band does not restrict natural growth of the skull, just

redirects it, which is exactly what repo does (puts the prominents

bits on a flat surface and holds them there). Repo also does not

allow the skull to grow completely as it wants, as that is the

problem in the first place- it's grown naturally the wrong way!!!

Perhaps you have to go a little further down the road of

investigating the band options (and not just the Clarren) to know

whether this will be the right thing for you and your daughter.It

may be that you do some further investigating and decide against it

or it may be that once you see the measurements you decide that it

is better to get this fixed now than leave it to chance or repo. The

good news is that time is on your side (although bands work better

the earlier they are started), you have already seen rounding and

your repo is having some success.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Cranio grad

--- In Plagiocephaly , " jmbkenny " <jmbkenny@f...>

wrote:

>

> hi,

> I'm Jeanne, mom to 6 1/2 month old Kate who has tort (seems to be

> resolved) and plagio. We have been repositioning since 3 months

and

> seeing a pediatric chiropractor since 3 1/2 months. The

> chiropractor and our ped are telling me that they think her head

> shape is looking really good and will continue to round out as she

> ages. I think at this point Kate has mild plagio and most people

> wouldn't notice her head shape and 'crooked' ears. Of course, I am

> looking and evaluating her all day long! She doesn't really have a

> flat spot anymore, there is some rounding, but it's still not

> symmetrical.

>

> Our ped doesn't like helmets and the chiropractor is against

helmets

> thinking they are very unnatural and the head should be allowed to

> grow and change more freely.

>

> We live near Seattle and it seems our only option here is the

> Clarren Helmet through Children's Hospital. We've already been

> there and we were seen by a physicians assistant who gave us the

go

> ahead for the helmet. I was disappointed because this only

involved

> looking at Kate's head--no measurements at all. Once we get this

> helmet they don't do follow up visits (that's why they only offer

> this helmet since follow-ups aren't needed).

>

> I had given myself until the end of November to decide if Kate's

> head looked 'good enough'. I've read about the care some of your

> other children get at other clinics and I feel very unsure about

> what to do.

>

> Sorry this has become so long, thanks for reading!

>

> Jeanne

> mom to Kate (6 1/2 months)

> in Washington State

[Guest guest]

Hello Jeanne

I'm sorry you are finding yourself in this difficult decision. I

think it gets harder when our babies aren't severe, and everyone

else is telling you to leave it be.

Why don't you sit down and look at Kate, then decide if you are

happy with her headshape. She may round out much more if you

continue to repo. She might not. If we only knew what would

happen. Has Kate responded well to repo sofar? My daughter had

another growth spurt at 11months, and post grad rounded some more.

If you want to go ahead with the band then you should hurry, due to

the band being passive. If you are willing to travel out of state

then the CT clinics, or Starband orthos are an option as well. I'm

sorry I can't help much. This is a decision that every Mom has to

make, and be happy with. Let us know how you decide. Do know that

you will find tons of support here regardless of what you do.

Sandy Willow's Mom

Torticollis resolved

Cranio Germany Grad

--- In Plagiocephaly , " jmbkenny " <jmbkenny@f...>

wrote:

>

> hi,

> I'm Jeanne, mom to 6 1/2 month old Kate who has tort (seems to be

> resolved) and plagio. We have been repositioning since 3 months

and

> seeing a pediatric chiropractor since 3 1/2 months. The

> chiropractor and our ped are telling me that they think her head

> shape is looking really good and will continue to round out as she

> ages. I think at this point Kate has mild plagio and most people

> wouldn't notice her head shape and 'crooked' ears. Of course, I am

> looking and evaluating her all day long! She doesn't really have a

> flat spot anymore, there is some rounding, but it's still not

> symmetrical.

>

> Our ped doesn't like helmets and the chiropractor is against

helmets

> thinking they are very unnatural and the head should be allowed to

> grow and change more freely.

>

> We live near Seattle and it seems our only option here is the

> Clarren Helmet through Children's Hospital. We've already been

> there and we were seen by a physicians assistant who gave us the

go

> ahead for the helmet. I was disappointed because this only

involved

> looking at Kate's head--no measurements at all. Once we get this

> helmet they don't do follow up visits (that's why they only offer

> this helmet since follow-ups aren't needed).

>

> I had given myself until the end of November to decide if Kate's

> head looked 'good enough'. I've read about the care some of your

> other children get at other clinics and I feel very unsure about

> what to do.

>

> Sorry this has become so long, thanks for reading!

>

> Jeanne

> mom to Kate (6 1/2 months)

> in Washington State

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne,

Welcome to the group! I see that you have already received some

information replies so I won't repeat. Would you like to post a

picture of Kate? We love to see everyone's cuties!

Natasha

Atlanta, GA

--- In Plagiocephaly , " jmbkenny " <jmbkenny@f...>

wrote:

>

> hi,

> I'm Jeanne, mom to 6 1/2 month old Kate who has tort (seems to be

> resolved) and plagio. We have been repositioning since 3 months

and

> seeing a pediatric chiropractor since 3 1/2 months. The

> chiropractor and our ped are telling me that they think her head

> shape is looking really good and will continue to round out as she

> ages. I think at this point Kate has mild plagio and most people

> wouldn't notice her head shape and 'crooked' ears. Of course, I am

> looking and evaluating her all day long! She doesn't really have a

> flat spot anymore, there is some rounding, but it's still not

> symmetrical.

>

> Our ped doesn't like helmets and the chiropractor is against

helmets

> thinking they are very unnatural and the head should be allowed to

> grow and change more freely.

>

> We live near Seattle and it seems our only option here is the

> Clarren Helmet through Children's Hospital. We've already been

> there and we were seen by a physicians assistant who gave us the

go

> ahead for the helmet. I was disappointed because this only

involved

> looking at Kate's head--no measurements at all. Once we get this

> helmet they don't do follow up visits (that's why they only offer

> this helmet since follow-ups aren't needed).

>

> I had given myself until the end of November to decide if Kate's

> head looked 'good enough'. I've read about the care some of your

> other children get at other clinics and I feel very unsure about

> what to do.

>

> Sorry this has become so long, thanks for reading!

>

> Jeanne

> mom to Kate (6 1/2 months)

> in Washington State

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne,

Welcome to the group! I see you've already been informed taht the

Clarren helmet is passive and works best on younger babies. That

just makes your decision harder I'm sure to know that you need to

make your decision soon! Can you post any pictures of Kate? Nobody

can tell you for sure if her head will continue rounding, so if

you're not completely happy with the shape it may be worth the try.

Good luck with your decision.

, mom to Hannah, DOCgrad

Cape Cod, Ma

http://hannahsnoggin.typepad.com/hannahs_noggin/

--- In Plagiocephaly , " jmbkenny " <jmbkenny@f...>

wrote:

>

> hi,

> I'm Jeanne, mom to 6 1/2 month old Kate who has tort (seems to be

> resolved) and plagio. We have been repositioning since 3 months

and

> seeing a pediatric chiropractor since 3 1/2 months. The

> chiropractor and our ped are telling me that they think her head

> shape is looking really good and will continue to round out as she

> ages. I think at this point Kate has mild plagio and most people

> wouldn't notice her head shape and 'crooked' ears. Of course, I am

> looking and evaluating her all day long! She doesn't really have a

> flat spot anymore, there is some rounding, but it's still not

> symmetrical.

>

> Our ped doesn't like helmets and the chiropractor is against

helmets

> thinking they are very unnatural and the head should be allowed to

> grow and change more freely.

>

> We live near Seattle and it seems our only option here is the

> Clarren Helmet through Children's Hospital. We've already been

> there and we were seen by a physicians assistant who gave us the

go

> ahead for the helmet. I was disappointed because this only

involved

> looking at Kate's head--no measurements at all. Once we get this

> helmet they don't do follow up visits (that's why they only offer

> this helmet since follow-ups aren't needed).

>

> I had given myself until the end of November to decide if Kate's

> head looked 'good enough'. I've read about the care some of your

> other children get at other clinics and I feel very unsure about

> what to do.

>

> Sorry this has become so long, thanks for reading!

>

> Jeanne

> mom to Kate (6 1/2 months)

> in Washington State