Re: flat head-not to do helmet

[Guest guest]

We decided to helmet, even though our son's head was just a moderate case (11mm asymmetry with mild brachy), and I am very happy with it so far. He has not had too much trouble adjusting, although sleep has suffered a little. If you've been to a craniofacial specialist, what level of plagiocephaly does your son have? Do you have some measurements or a level of severity from the doc? Or pics? That might help us to give you feedback, but in the end, only you know if the level of flat-ness in your baby's head will bother you. Whether or not it is covered by insurance may also be a factor. If you don't have to pay, I would say that there is really not much of a downside to fixing his head while you can. We are having to pay for ours (we'll appeal, but I am not optimistic), and I *still* feel that it is worth it.

There is also a group called OlderPlag which has parents who did not helmet their kids. You might get some other perspectives there. I think there is a majority of helmet-folks here in this group.

Good luck with your decision!

-Pam

On 2/15/08, jeanwangus <jeanwangus@...> wrote:

My 8 month old baby's head is flat. We went to see a cranfacial specialist... We have a option to put him on helmet. A lot of our friends suggest us not to put him through it and say he will eventually

grow out of it. Is it true? Any one out there decided not to do helmet and happy with the decision....

[Guest guest]

I'll give you my opinion... this is what I think in general. I have not seen your baby and how severe or not the plagio is.

My thought is this. The window to achieve correction is small. Once past, you cannot go back and correct plagio. Unlike braces to straighten teeth, that can be worn at anytime in a persons life - a band is only useful for a short time at the beginning of life. That being said, if you are given the opportunity to band and a shot at fixing a misshappen head - i say GO FO IT! I am big on no regrets... why get to your childs 2 year b-day and look at a head that is flat and kick yourself for not doing anything. Actually doing the band is soooo minor is relation to a child whole life and the benefits are so huge - when you think about facial asymmetries, ear alignment, eye/sunglasses fitting, bike helmets fitting, etc.

There are so many parents out here that have had to FIGHT to get a dr to acknowledge that plagio is there and that it is treatable. I have never heard of someone regretting doing the band... but many parents come here so upset that the dr said it would round out on it's own and it didn't.

Look at the older plagio board here on to see what the parents over there are saying about letting it get better on it's own.

Sorry if I am sounding a bit harsh - I have just been here so long and I want you to be fully informed before you make a decision.

:-D

Jen and Luli - 26 months

Left tort - Right Plagio - Hanger Band Grad - CA

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jens5th/

flat head-not to do helmet

My 8 month old baby's head is flat. We went to see a cranfacial

specialist... We have a option to put him on helmet. A lot of our

friends suggest us not to put him through it and say he will eventually

grow out of it. Is it true? Any one out there decided not to do helmet

and happy with the decision....

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[Guest guest]

Hi - I have a friend whose baby is the same age as mine and both have tort and plagio - my baby was helmeted - from 6 to 14 mo and her head is much better - though still slightly flat. The other baby was not helmeted and it is much more noticeable - I went home glad that I had helmeted - it was SO SO EASY.**************Ideas to please picky eaters. Watch video on AOL Living. (http://living.aol.com/video/how-to-please-your-picky-eater/rachel-campos-duffy/2050827?NCID=aolcmp00300000002598)