Re: New here - I think my child may need a helmet?

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group.

It sounds like Ethan might have torticollis (tight neck muscle). It's pretty common with plagio babies. Did your doctor say anything about him needing physical therapy?

I think it would be wise for you to look into banding options now rather than begin doing that at 9 months. It can actually take a while to get everything into place. Even if you decide to wait three months it would be a faster process if you already had insurance approval and found an ortho/clinician you feel comfortable with.

Where do you live? Check out our database. Click here. Members of this group listed their orthos in there. If there is a parental contact listed drop them an email to ask for a reference.

Here is a link to Cranial Technologies Clinics also. They offer the DOC Band. They have free evaluations and take pictures, etc. If you are going to see a specialist it may be helpful to do this first and take the pictures, measurement, etc with you.

When you joined you should have gotten an email detailing the differences in the products. If you don't have it still click here.

There is lots of information in our files section including repositioning and insurance help.

Hope this helps.

Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (13 mo) DOC Grads

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group.

It sounds like Ethan might have torticollis (tight neck muscle). It's pretty common with plagio babies. Did your doctor say anything about him needing physical therapy?

I think it would be wise for you to look into banding options now rather than begin doing that at 9 months. It can actually take a while to get everything into place. Even if you decide to wait three months it would be a faster process if you already had insurance approval and found an ortho/clinician you feel comfortable with.

Where do you live? Check out our database. Click here. Members of this group listed their orthos in there. If there is a parental contact listed drop them an email to ask for a reference.

Here is a link to Cranial Technologies Clinics also. They offer the DOC Band. They have free evaluations and take pictures, etc. If you are going to see a specialist it may be helpful to do this first and take the pictures, measurement, etc with you.

When you joined you should have gotten an email detailing the differences in the products. If you don't have it still click here.

There is lots of information in our files section including repositioning and insurance help.

Hope this helps.

Mom to Dane (4 yo) and Cece (13 mo) DOC Grads

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! I second everthing has alredy told you. I

just wanted to add, the younger a baby is banded the better and faster

the correction. Waiting 3 months is wasting 3 months of correction!!

Don't wait, there really isn't any reason to. His head is NOT going to

pop back out and correct itself. Also it's not up to your doctor

whether or not you band your son. It's totally your choice to make.

All you need from your ped is a prescription. Good luck, hold your

ground and keep us posted.

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! I second everthing has alredy told you. I

just wanted to add, the younger a baby is banded the better and faster

the correction. Waiting 3 months is wasting 3 months of correction!!

Don't wait, there really isn't any reason to. His head is NOT going to

pop back out and correct itself. Also it's not up to your doctor

whether or not you band your son. It's totally your choice to make.

All you need from your ped is a prescription. Good luck, hold your

ground and keep us posted.

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>

[Guest guest]

I'm not much newer to this then you are as my son (if you've read)

is only 2.5 months old and is getting helmeted now. We simply told

our doctor that although the neuro had told her not to send children

prior to 4-6 months old for the initial consult that we didn't care

and want'ed the referral at this point. It is our insurance and our

time. The doctor gets paid no matter what... It got the point

across and we had the appointment a week later.

Long story short, you have to advocated for your children. The

pedi's are not necessarily aware of how young treatment could

start. Dr. , a pedi plastic surgen specializing in

craniofacial, of Children's Boston told my wife and I that he would

see a child at 2 weeks old and has a " cup " as opposed to a helmet or

band that would help clear the problem at that early age. Our pedi

had no idea that this was even available... Had we not pushed we

would be waiting another 3 months for our first visit! (I can only

imagine as 's assimitry is already 20mm)

Best of luck!

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop

out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but

it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to

the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>

[Guest guest]

I'm not much newer to this then you are as my son (if you've read)

is only 2.5 months old and is getting helmeted now. We simply told

our doctor that although the neuro had told her not to send children

prior to 4-6 months old for the initial consult that we didn't care

and want'ed the referral at this point. It is our insurance and our

time. The doctor gets paid no matter what... It got the point

across and we had the appointment a week later.

Long story short, you have to advocated for your children. The

pedi's are not necessarily aware of how young treatment could

start. Dr. , a pedi plastic surgen specializing in

craniofacial, of Children's Boston told my wife and I that he would

see a child at 2 weeks old and has a " cup " as opposed to a helmet or

band that would help clear the problem at that early age. Our pedi

had no idea that this was even available... Had we not pushed we

would be waiting another 3 months for our first visit! (I can only

imagine as 's assimitry is already 20mm)

Best of luck!

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop

out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but

it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to

the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>

[Guest guest]

Rick,

Thanks for posting this! I'm sure a lot of parents aren't aware that

their own pediatrician isn't educated about plagio.

Take care,

> >

> > Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

> very

> > flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> > several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop

> out " .

> > He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but

> it

> > has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

> head

> > would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> > should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> > didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> > again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to

> the

> > local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> > issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> > sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

> born,

> > each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

> guy,

> > and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> > his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> > examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> > out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> > here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> > than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

> correct

> > my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> > finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> > these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> > Thanks -

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Rick,

Thanks for posting this! I'm sure a lot of parents aren't aware that

their own pediatrician isn't educated about plagio.

Take care,

> >

> > Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

> very

> > flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> > several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop

> out " .

> > He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but

> it

> > has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

> head

> > would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> > should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> > didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> > again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to

> the

> > local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> > issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> > sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

> born,

> > each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

> guy,

> > and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> > his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> > examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> > out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> > here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> > than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

> correct

> > my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> > finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> > these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> > Thanks -

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ! My name is too! I was pretty much in the same

boat as you. We notied my son's flat head when he was about 1.5

months. We were also told at every check up that it will be fine,

it's mild, just keep turning him to the other side. Well, we'd turn

him he'd roll back and it didn't get better, finally at his 6 month

check up we were refered to Physical Therepy for his neck

(Torticollis) and got a referal for Children's Hospital to see the

Cranio/Facial dept. They said his head was not mild and they

recommended the Helmet. We just got it 2 weeks ago. He's 8 months

old now. We are already seeing an improvement. The flat spot is

almost gone! The helmet we have is reccomended from 6-18 months.

I've read tons of stories on here of babies older than yours getting

treated and it working great! Don't get down! Just keep on the Dr.

I don't know why they always blow it off. It can't hurt for them to

give a referal! Anyway, I hope it works out for you, and eventhough

it may seem late in the game, don't give up!

)

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ! My name is too! I was pretty much in the same

boat as you. We notied my son's flat head when he was about 1.5

months. We were also told at every check up that it will be fine,

it's mild, just keep turning him to the other side. Well, we'd turn

him he'd roll back and it didn't get better, finally at his 6 month

check up we were refered to Physical Therepy for his neck

(Torticollis) and got a referal for Children's Hospital to see the

Cranio/Facial dept. They said his head was not mild and they

recommended the Helmet. We just got it 2 weeks ago. He's 8 months

old now. We are already seeing an improvement. The flat spot is

almost gone! The helmet we have is reccomended from 6-18 months.

I've read tons of stories on here of babies older than yours getting

treated and it working great! Don't get down! Just keep on the Dr.

I don't know why they always blow it off. It can't hurt for them to

give a referal! Anyway, I hope it works out for you, and eventhough

it may seem late in the game, don't give up!

)

>

> Hi. My name is . My youngest son, Ethan (6mth old) has a

very

> flat head on his right side. His head has been flat there for

> several months. However, the doctors keep saying it will " pop out " .

> He has also had a fold in his ear that used to be VERY flat, but it

> has come out some. I was told at the hospital that his ears and

head

> would shape out fine. I had him by cesarean and didn't think he

> should have a misshaped head, since my first child by cesarean

> didn't. Finally, at Ethan's 6mth checkup, I questioned the doctor

> again. He did a couple measurements of his head, and sent me to the

> local lab for x-rays of his head. The doc said there is no growth

> issue, and it is just because of him turning to that side in his

> sleep. I have made Ethan sleep with a positioner since he was

born,

> each night flipping him side to side - but he's a strong little

guy,

> and always ends up on his back with his head to the right to suck

> his right thumb. I am at my witts end! The doc said he will re-

> examine him at his 9mth checkup, and if it hasn't started to round

> out, he will refer me to a specialist. Reading a few of the posts

> here, I see that most of you have started treatment a lot earlier

> than 9mths old. I am concerned I may have waited too long to

correct

> my poor baby's head. I will definately be calling my doctor at

> finish of typing here. Does anyone have any idea of how to make

> these doctors get a little more motivated with helping my child?

> Thanks -

>