Question about bumbo seat use and torticollis

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the

information this group has to offer. I have a question for those who

have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly (as

a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive repositioning

to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend the

use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on the

head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if these

items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do they

have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Good question! I would be interested in hearing the answer to your question as well. I read in one of the articles that a bumbo seat was a good idea so we bought one yesterday (as well as a tummy time playmat with cushioned bar to keep our daughter's face off the floor. Anything to keep the pressure off and help strenghten the neck muscles. I assumed it was beneficial to both the plagio and torti but I could be wrong...Last thing I want is to use the wrong thing and make matters worse. We also completely banned the bouncy seat and are only using the car seat for short car drives. No more stroller either, just Baby Bjorn. At night we now put her head facing the other way with a rolled up towel behind her shoulder (with the towel laying against the side of the crib).

I have read contradictory things about exercausers and walkers. We figured we would stay away from them to be sure. If you don't mind, please let me know what measures you have taken. We would like to try a variety of things.

Take care,

Caitlin (4 months, Plagio and torti, not sure about the severity yet)

San Diego, CA

On 7/3/06, cj_kraay <cj_kraay@...> wrote:

Hello,I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the information this group has to offer. I have a question for those who have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly. My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly (as a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive repositioning to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend the use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on the head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if these items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do they have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis? Thanks in advance for any insight!

[Guest guest]

I know that exersaucers are not recommended if your child has torticollis. Per the torticolliskids.org website (http://www.torticolliskids.org/helpful.htm):"Limit the time spent in exersaucers/walkers/jumpersYour baby will progress faster if he/she doesn't spend extended time in a saucer/walker, especially in the beginning when they are still trying to gain neck strength.PLEASE stay away from jumpers - these things are really hard on any child's neck - and a baby with a weak neck will suffer more."I suppose you have to weigh the effect of being on their back and head vs. being in the exersaucer. The bumbo seat is supposed to be good for getting kids off their heads.

Molly

California

Nicolas, 8.5 months, tort & plagio, STARband 4/25/06

, 3

, 6.5

-----Original Message-----From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of cj_kraaySent: 2 July 2006 4:43 PMPlagiocephaly Subject: Question about bumbo seat use and torticollisHello,I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all theinformation this group has to offer. I have a question for those whohave dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly (asa result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive repositioningto see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend theuse of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on thehead such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if theseitems are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do theyhave any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?Thanks in advance for any insight!

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I just got my Bumbo seat in the mail. I borrowed one from my

daughters Phyiscal Therapist and tried it out for a week. My

daughter has torticollis that we have been treating for 6 weeks now

with PT and we are going to the plastic surgeon on July 25th for the

plagio eval.

The only problem I have found with the Bumbo seat and the

torticollis is if I don't get her in the seat just right she leans

to her tort side ALOT. The chair has helped with her neck strength.

In any event my physical therapist recommended it and my daughter

loves to be in it and sitting with the rest of the family.

Eryn

Donovan, 8 and Gia, 5 1/2 months tort and plagio

> >

> > Hello,

> > I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the

> > information this group has to offer. I have a question for those

who

> > have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

> >

> > My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild

plagiocephaly (as

> > a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive

repositioning

> > to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend

the

> > use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure

on the

> > head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if

these

> > items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do

they

> > have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any insight!

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

We used a bumbo seat for my son. It didn't make the tort any worse, that stayed the same, but it sure did help with the plagio. Our orthotist and pedi suggested the bumbo. I would say if your child leans to the tort side, maybe place a small rolled up towel in the seat with them to prevent that.

Amy (SC)

Liam - STARband since 4/26/06

On 7/2/06, Foley, Molly <mafoley@...> wrote:

I know that exersaucers are not recommended if your child has torticollis. Per the

torticolliskids.org website (http://www.torticolliskids.org/helpful.htm

): " Limit the time spent in exersaucers/walkers/jumpersYour baby will progress faster if he/she doesn't spend extended time in a saucer/walker, especially in the beginning when they are still trying to gain neck strength.

PLEASE stay away from jumpers - these things are really hard on any child's neck - and a baby with a weak neck will suffer more. " I suppose you have to weigh the effect of being on their back and head vs. being in the exersaucer. The bumbo seat is supposed to be good for getting kids off their heads.

Molly

California

Nicolas, 8.5 months, tort & plagio, STARband 4/25/06

, 3

, 6.5

Question about bumbo seat use and torticollisHello,I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all theinformation this group has to offer. I have a question for those who

have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly (asa result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive repositioningto see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend the

use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on thehead such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if theseitems are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do they

have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?Thanks in advance for any insight!

[Guest guest]

I do not post here often, mostly lurk--but this is what we were

told: I brought our bumbo seat in for our PT to check out for our

son. He has been battling torticollis (and brachy/plagio) for

months and our PT warned about using an exersaucer, johnny jump up

or bumbo seat. Her advice to us has been that babies with tort will

tend to pull down into the affected side in all of those devices.

It is tough advice though if you are also trying to keep them off of

their head. He definitely tended to slouch in it and she is always

wanting us to make the opposite side stronger and not foster that

slouch, if you not what I mean.

Stacey

>

> Hello,

> I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the

> information this group has to offer. I have a question for those

who

> have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

>

> My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly

(as

> a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive

repositioning

> to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend

the

> use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on

the

> head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if

these

> items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do

they

> have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

>

> Thanks in advance for any insight!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Chloe Olivia had tort. Our PT highly

recommend the Bumbo seat and anything else to keep her off the back of her

head, such as Jumperroo or Exosaucer. I guess the philosophy varies depending

on who your PT is.

Thanks and have a great day,

aleyfamily@...

From: Plagiocephaly [mailto:Plagiocephaly ] On Behalf Of oscaredwink

Sent: Monday, July 03, 2006 3:51

PM

Plagiocephaly

Subject: Re: Question

about bumbo seat use and torticollis

I do not post here often, mostly lurk--but this is

what we were

told: I brought our bumbo seat in for our PT to check out for our

son. He has been battling torticollis (and brachy/plagio) for

months and our PT warned about using an exersaucer, johnny jump up

or bumbo seat. Her advice to us has been that babies with tort will

tend to pull down into the affected side in all of those devices.

It is tough advice though if you are also trying to keep them off of

their head. He definitely tended to slouch in it and she is always

wanting us to make the opposite side stronger and not foster that

slouch, if you not what I mean.

Stacey

>

> Hello,

> I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the

> information this group has to offer. I have a question for those

who

> have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

>

> My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly

(as

> a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive

repositioning

> to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend

the

> use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on

the

> head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if

these

> items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do

they

> have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

>

> Thanks in advance for any insight!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It sounds like we are doing a lot of the same things to work on the

plagio. I attempted a rolled blanket behind her back/shoulder

during the night but somehow she always managed to get back onto her

flat spot! We now use a sleep positioner to keep her on her side

and a memory foam pillow for under her head. I know that neither of

those things are recommended for babies (risk of SIDS) so I just get

up frequently during the night to check on her. During the day she

naps on her back though. We also use the baby bjorn for shopping

and walks outside instead of the stroller. I do still use her

bouncy seat occasionally but I use a noggin nest with it so there is

reduced pressure on her head. I found mine at pottery barn kids.

In addition, when she is in her crib or on her changing table we lay

her in the direction that encourages her to look to her non-tort.

side. We try to do a lot of tummy time during the day too but that

really depends on my daugher's mood! That's all I can think of

right now, I hope I was helpful!

dd Ellison - 4 months, tort and plag.

> >

> > Hello,

> > I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the

> > information this group has to offer. I have a question for those

who

> > have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

> >

> > My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild

plagiocephaly (as

> > a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive

repositioning

> > to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend

the

> > use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure

on the

> > head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if

these

> > items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do

they

> > have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

> >

> > Thanks in advance for any insight!

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,This is a tough one. Bumbo seats, exercausers and jumperoos do not help the torticollis. Since the neck muscles are weak they sometimes can do more harm if used for long periods of time. However, not using them can make the plagio worse. So you have to find a happy medium. Try to use them for less than 10 minutes at a time. Work extensively on stretches and proper strengthening exercises. http://f3.grp.fs.com/v1/gK-pRLqyEM0c61bBoDiikxSZOXk13DfYG4k6CItu-yrwtRkJJJOqQOHfDOluZE6NZoBm6VSK6uWgCAczR4k/Torticollis%20Help/Torticollis%20Stretching.doc The jumperoos are really not recommended. I have been told this numerous times on the tort board. The weakened neck muslces can be damaged by the jumping, too much movement, too fast, and not enough control of the heavy head.

My daughters both had torticollis - mild to moderate. They used a bumbo seat and exercauser. With the exersaucer I tried to make sure they were fully supported with blankets so there was no flopping.

na, DOC Grad X2, Feb 04, tort resolvedKiersten, DOC Grad, Apr 06, Tort Resolvedwww.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html>> Hello,> I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all the > information this group has to offer. I have a question for those who > have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly. > > My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild plagiocephaly (as > a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive repositioning > to see what results we get (for now). I know that many recommend the > use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid pressure on the > head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if these > items are recommended for children with torticollis as well? Do they > have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis? > > Thanks in advance for any insight!> >

[Guest guest]

I purchased a twin size memory foam mattress from target for $20 (if

I did it again I would get the full). I cut it up to fit the pack-n-

play and crib. I made two small pieces that could go in the swing

or bouncy or stroller if they just had to be used. This reduced the

pressure. I made sure they were covered with something waterproof

since you can't wash the memorey foam and kids just seem to spit up

and leak in all the wrong places.

na, DOC Grad X2, Feb 04, tort resolved

Kiersten, DOC Grad, Apr 06, Tort Resolved

www.thefilyaws.com/plagio/plagio.html

> > >

> > > Hello,

> > > I am a fairly new member and have been so appreciative of all

the

> > > information this group has to offer. I have a question for

those

> who

> > > have dealt with torticollis and plagiocephaly.

> > >

> > > My four month old daughter has torticollis and mild

> plagiocephaly (as

> > > a result of the torticollis) and we are trying agressive

> repositioning

> > > to see what results we get (for now). I know that many

recommend

> the

> > > use of devices which keep children upright as to avoid

pressure

> on the

> > > head such as a bumbo seat and exersaucer. Does anyone know if

> these

> > > items are recommended for children with torticollis as well?

Do

> they

> > > have any adverse affects on resolving the torticollis?

> > >

> > > Thanks in advance for any insight!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I was very surprised to read that an Exersaucer and bumbo isnt good for tort. If you put the Exersaucer's toys to the direction you want your child to look toward- isnt that a neck stretch? And the bumbo you can do the same- and help yoiur child learn how to sit- work those muscles? How can an Exersaucer be in the same category as a bouncer or a swing??? __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Maybe some of the divergence of opinion here has to do with the

individual babies' condition?? With that said, with our son, his

tort is not only that the scm on one side is too tight/strong. It

means that the other side of this neck is not strong enough. Using

these devices tends to make him slouch into the strong side and not

use that weak side. With our son, his torticollis causes him to

tilt his head (ear to shoulder) and turn his head to the left. I

think the devices are not great for the tilt part although certainly

we can use them to get him to look to the right. Interestingly, he

has full range of motion now (at 9 months) looking left to right,

but we still battle the tilt.

Basically, our PT did not really think they were helping him learn

to sit or stand. She gave us exercises and drills, etc. to get him

to do it on his own. She looked at him in it and and thought that

the bumbo was just making him slouch there and not use those

muscles. Again, maybe all of these PTs have made an individual call

based on the child.

Hope that helps--Stacey

>

> I was very surprised to read that an Exersaucer and bumbo isnt

good for tort.

>

> If you put the Exersaucer's toys to the direction you want your

child to look toward- isnt that a neck stretch? And the bumbo you

can do the same- and help yoiur child learn how to sit- work those

muscles?

>

> How can an Exersaucer be in the same category as a bouncer or a

swing???

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>