Going out with helmet. What do you really do?

[Guest guest]

I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

thought this question deserved a new thread.

Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being stopped, I

can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they will

be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,

should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the helmet

for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am

told most people do helmet-off time)?

Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to

have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look back

and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else

told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer that.

I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some guidance

on what it will be like for the next months.

[Guest guest]

I always kept Connor's helmet on even for quick trips out. Connor was

in his helmet during the summer, but he usually wore a larger size

sunhat over the helmet when out in the sun. As for pictures, we had

some taken with the helmet and some without. His everyday pics we

just left it on, but when we had pictures taken I had some of them

taken without the helmet. Hope that helps!

Connor (PPO helmet grad 8/04, tort resolved, mild craniofacial

microsomia)

>

> I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> thought this question deserved a new thread.

>

> Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

stopped, I

> can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

>

> What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they

will

> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,

> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

helmet

> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am

> told most people do helmet-off time)?

>

> Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to

> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look

back

> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else

> told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer

that.

>

> I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

guidance

> on what it will be like for the next months.

>

[Guest guest]

I have left Collin's helmet on all the time ( expect the bathing and cleaning). We is allowed out of the helmet for the one hour per day. We bath every other day so one the nights that is not bath night, he just gets to play for the hour without the helmet. As for pics. We have taken the helmet off for the pics we had someone else take. The everyday pics and all pics during our outings is with the helmet on. As far as taking the kids out w/the helmet on. You will probably find that you don't get any more attention than you did before. Good luck on your journey and congratuations for doing what is best for your child. Ann - Mom to Collin - STARband 5/31/06 <andileigh@...> wrote: I always kept Connor's helmet on even for quick trips out. Connor was in his helmet during the summer, but he usually wore a larger size sunhat over the helmet when out in the sun. As for pictures, we had some taken with the helmet and some without. His everyday pics we just left it on, but when we had pictures taken I had some of them taken without the helmet. Hope that helps!Connor (PPO helmet grad 8/04, tort resolved, mild craniofacial microsomia)>>

I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but> thought this question deserved a new thread.> > Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being stopped, I> can just imagine when one will have a helmet. > > What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they will> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the helmet> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am> told most people do helmet-off time)?> > Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look back> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else> told me to remove it for

pics since looking back, she would prefer that.> > I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some guidance> on what it will be like for the next months.>

[Guest guest]

I took photos during the 10 weeks that my daughter wore her helmet both with and without it on. I mainly figured that the ones where she had it on were for posterity's sake-- I'm sure someday we can also use them to embarrass her! In spite of how much I dreaded having to put the helmet on her I have to say that in retrospect she did look really cute with it on (and a lot of other people said the same thing). Of course, I'm glad it's all done but it is nice to have some photos to reminisce over. Now that she's out of the helmet I keep hoping I'll see someone out in public with a kid who has one so that I can approach them and give some words of encouragement just as others did for me.Alison

mom to Leila, born 9/25/05 (tort/plagio, STARband grad)Boynton Beach, FL

Plagiocephaly From: lovs2collect@...Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:39:08 +0000Subject: Re: Going out with helmet. What do you really do?

I have twins too and to be honest I have been surprised how nicely curious and understanding everyone has been when we take the boys out in their helmets. I also find that about 3-4/10 of the people who comment know someone or is related to someone who has/had a child in a helmet. It is getting more and more common and educated people are out there. I feel some people place a little too much emphasis on what people will think. Who cares? The easy answer we have been giving - rather than giving a medical term and then having to explain it - when people ask what are the helmets for? We say it is to help round out their heads. People usually just say - Oh! Ok. And it requires no long tedious explanations. As for the pictures thing - I have found myself taking fewer pics of the boys, perhaps a subconscious thing, but when I do take them, I don't worry about whether helmets are on or off - they are just as cute either way - and my husband or myself are certainly NOT ashamed of them - rather we are proud to be able to have gotten them for them and proud of the fact that we are being proactive in taking care of the problem. JMHO - HTH. My boys have had theirs for almost 5 weeks now and Zach has gone from 103% to 98% and Jake's from 98% to 95% and his assymetry has gone down by 4mm from 13 to 9. Take care & good luck. mom to & Zachary - O & P Cranial Molding Helmet - 8/19/06>> I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but> thought this question deserved a new thread.> > Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being stopped, I> can just imagine when one will have a helmet. > > What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they will> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the helmet> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am> told most people do helmet-off time)?> > Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look back> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else> told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer that.> > I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some guidance> on what it will be like for the next months.> Search from any Web page with powerful protection. Get the FREE Windows Live Toolbar Today! Try it now!

[Guest guest]

Caleb has been in his helmet 23 hrs a day since the beginning of

June. The only time he's ever been out of the helmet was for

bathing, home pictures (less than a few minutes) and now just this

week he's been sick with fever so he hasn't been in his helmet while

feverish. For me, its as much for his healing as it is for his

safety, and it bothers me when he's out of his helmet. I'm a worry

wart wondering if he's going to hit his head on something etc. It

doesn't help that we have wood floors. Its scary when he's not

wearing it. We go everywhere, restaurants, airports, everywhere

with his band. Noone has been negative toward us over it. We get

the usual " what happened " or " is that something new for baby

protection " , etc, and we've never had negative comments. Everyone

has been friendly to us. In fact, we were in Kaufman's and someone

stopped us and bought Caleb a toy. When were at restaurants the

waitress gives him cookies and things without charging us. He's

actually the center of attention with his helmet. He attracts

everyone like a magnet. He loves wearing his band, and he goes

everywhere in it. I can't wait till he's feeling better. He's

never been this long without his helmet, and I'm a nervous wreck

when he's not wearing it.

>

> I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> thought this question deserved a new thread.

>

> Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

stopped, I

> can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

>

> What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they

will

> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1

hour,

> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

helmet

> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am

> told most people do helmet-off time)?

>

> Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person

to

> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look

back

> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else

> told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer

that.

>

> I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

guidance

> on what it will be like for the next months.

>

[Guest guest]

First of all...you are not over analyzing any of this. I could have

written the same post last year when my son was banded. Here is my

opinion......NEVER take the helmets off except for the hour allowed.

If you want to fix the problem you have to follow the directions to

the letter. Decorate the helmet so it looks less " medical " , it

helps. My son was banded from November-March last year in NY. I

just got him a youth sized hat and you didn't even realize it. Plus,

when he is older....I already have a hat!!! You may want to do

baths every night as the band gets stinky (We used Strawberry scented

shampoo by L'Oreal) Finally, as far as pictures......I only took it

off for his formal Xmas (it was his first) and his first birthday

pictures. I took over 500 pictures with it on so I don't think it

was such a big deal. My only other advice would be to contact your

newspaper.....we did and they wrote an amazing article on my son.

Cranial Tech even got permission to print it as a booklet for

parents. After the article was published my son was a little star.

EVERYONE recognized him. It was pretty awesome. Let me know if you

would like to see some pictures. Here is the link to the article:

http://archive.recordonline.com/archive/2006/01/25/features_gohealthy-

25heflatbaby-01-25.html

Good luck!

Meagan

Nolan DOC GRAD 3/06

>

> I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> thought this question deserved a new thread.

>

> Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

stopped, I

> can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

>

> What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they

will

> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,

> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

helmet

> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am

> told most people do helmet-off time)?

>

> Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to

> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look

back

> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else

> told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer

that.

>

> I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

guidance

> on what it will be like for the next months.

>

[Guest guest]

I think you have a case of the " new band mom " nerves, and I

completely understand. I was in your shoes not that long ago, and

yesterday my son, Logan, graduated from his band after 11 weeks. It

was the best decision I could have made, and I'm so happy I went

ahead with it. Logan wore a DOC Band, requiring it be worn 23 hours

per day, after the initial 2 day break-in period. I figured if I

was going to go through all of this (casting,weekly adjustment,

cleaning it,decorating it) I may as well make the most of it and use

it as instructed. The only one you'd be hurting by taking the band

off for more than the hour is your child, the very one you're trying

to help. I took Logan out in his band from day one, and though at

first I felt a bit self-conscious about it, after the first few

trips it just became second nature. It truly is so easy, and

becomes part of who they are at that point in their little lives. I

decorated the front with his name, and so many people would walk by

and say " Hi Logan. " He just smiled and thought it was great. I

decorated it each week with clear-backed Sandylion scrapbooking

stickers, a different theme each week. It made it fun and it looked

really cute. In fact, a few days after we got the band we were

taking his 6 months old professional pics. and I very proudly left

it on. My feeling is that I'm not embarrased by it, and that's

where he was at when the pics were taken. They came out sooo cute,

and he'll always know how proud I was of him. Hold your head high,

and know in your heart that you're doing the best for your baby!

Jaclin

Logan 8 months

Right tort./left plagio

> >

> > I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> > thought this question deserved a new thread.

> >

> > Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> > sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

> stopped, I

> > can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

> >

> > What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon

they

> will

> > be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1

> hour,

> > should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

> helmet

> > for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I

am

> > told most people do helmet-off time)?

> >

> > Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one

person

> to

> > have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't

look

> back

> > and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone

else

> > told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would

prefer

> that.

> >

> > I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

> guidance

> > on what it will be like for the next months.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am on the tail end of the responses to you, but I have to say.. I

am very much FOR getting pictures professionaly done with the helmet

on. Off, too if you want for " hair " sake. I have two boys, one is

now 3 (Jaxson) and the other is 1 (Eli). They both wore helmets, and

I LOVED them in them. I decorated them like crazy with stickers (was

a weekly shopper at our local scrapbook shop). We had Jaxson's helmet

decorated with West Coast Chopper stickers for his professional

shots, and then sent it to WCC / . I am VERY proud of

my kiddos and their helmets, and even today, Jaxson being out of his

helmet for over 2 years, there is still a 8X10 of him on my wall and

several on my fridge, as well as Eli's.

I would suggest as many others did, getting a bigger hat for the

colder times. I am in MN and both of my boys were in their helmets in

winter. And, when you're going out, often times your baby is going to

be in a stroller/carseat, etc and that pressure on the back could be

avoided with the helmet.

Finally, contacting the paper would be a great idea. BUT, be

persistant. I did that for several months with Jaxson, no luck.

However, when Eli came along, I skipped the newspaper and went to TV.

They did a segment on the news all about him and the helmets, showing

how the ortho makes them, the cause of plagio, etc. In fact, they

even came with to PT with us and showed him getting therapy. For

weeks after that people commented..oh I seen him on tv!!!

Good luck to you...

Kim

mom to 3:

Kaela, 11, no issues

Jaxson 3, Tort resolved, plagio wore CranioCap for 5 mo, then at 18

months had Craniotomy w/reconstruction of skull, newly diagnosed

Autism

Eli 1, Tort close to being resolved, plagio-- wore STARband Nov 05-

March 05 Hanger Band March 05 June 05

>

> I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> thought this question deserved a new thread.

>

> Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

stopped, I

> can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

>

> What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon they

will

> be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1 hour,

> should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

helmet

> for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I am

> told most people do helmet-off time)?

>

> Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one person to

> have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't look

back

> and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone else

> told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would prefer

that.

>

> I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

guidance

> on what it will be like for the next months.

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you 100%, Jaclin. Though I wasn't as dedicated to decorating DJ's

band, people

still thought it was adorable and often smiled at the camouflage design.

I know this may sound strange, but after a few days with the helmet on, I

sincerely thought

that DJ looked cuter with it on than with it off. He was all helmet and blue

eyes!

The helmet becomes a part of them and therefore is the most adorable " accessory "

money

could buy ;-)

I admit a little bit (shh) that I actually miss the helmet from time to

time....lol

He never hurt his little noggin on anything!

> > >

> > > I just posted about my situation with one of my twin girls, but

> > > thought this question deserved a new thread.

> > >

> > > Honestly, what do you do when going out for quick errands? Do you

> > > sometimes go without helmets? I have twins and always being

> > stopped, I

> > > can just imagine when one will have a helmet.

> > >

> > > What about for colder months? I am in Canada and pretty soon

> they

> > will

> > > be in hats for stroller walks. Most of our strolls are about 1

> > hour,

> > > should I pop on a warm hat that covers her ears instead of the

> > helmet

> > > for the walks since bath time for us is every other day (when I

> am

> > > told most people do helmet-off time)?

> > >

> > > Last question, what do you do for pics? I was told by one

> person

> > to

> > > have the helmet always on for pics so that the kiddo doesn't

> look

> > back

> > > and think you were ashamed of the helmet. Then again, someone

> else

> > > told me to remove it for pics since looking back, she would

> prefer

> > that.

> > >

> > > I know I am over-analyzing this, but I guess I just need some

> > guidance

> > > on what it will be like for the next months.

> > >

> >

>