Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

[Guest guest]

My son just graduated from the Starband helmet this past Friday after 6 months.  He slept GREAT prior to the helmet, but as soon as he got it on, he woke up at least twice (sometimes 3-4 times a night) the entire 6 months .... I was hoping after we got the helmet off that he'd go back to being my great sleeper, but so far we are on night #3, and my good sleeper has not returned.

 

I think he just could not get totally comfortable in the helmet to sleep.  He ended up sleeping on his stomach but was restless.  I know most babies seem to sleep well in their helmets, but my baby was not one of them, unfortunately.

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Ingrid <goodflyinggal@...> wrote:

 

I am very curious to see if anyone else has run into this issue. We have twins and my son has been in the hanger helmet for a couple of weeks and is also fine during the day, but wakes up several times during the night. But my daughter sleeps through the night without a problem.

>> Hi,> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?

> > Thanks!!> Shan>

[Guest guest]

This is the type of thing that makes me hesitate to get a band or helmet.  Unless it's a severe case (my son's is not) is it worth it to disrupt their all-important sleep requirements?  I doubt anyone has done research on how disrupted sleep affects development, etc.  Too many unknowns...on both sides of the argument.

On Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 1:24 AM, Ami Tuyay <amituyay@...> wrote:

My son just graduated from the Starband helmet this past Friday after 6 months.  He slept GREAT prior to the helmet, but as soon as he got it on, he woke up at least twice (sometimes 3-4 times a night) the entire 6 months .... I was hoping after we got the helmet off that he'd go back to being my great sleeper, but so far we are on night #3, and my good sleeper has not returned.

 

I think he just could not get totally comfortable in the helmet to sleep.  He ended up sleeping on his stomach but was restless.  I know most babies seem to sleep well in their helmets, but my baby was not one of them, unfortunately.

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Ingrid <goodflyinggal@...> wrote:

 

I am very curious to see if anyone else has run into this issue. We have twins and my son has been in the hanger helmet for a couple of weeks and is also fine during the day, but wakes up several times during the night. But my daughter sleeps through the night without a problem.

>> Hi,> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?

> > Thanks!!> Shan>

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement.  Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider.  But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet.  The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does.  $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket)  is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

 

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.

Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and  how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if you find that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with

> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the

> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >

> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

,

If I were you I would 100% get the helmet. We started our helmet therapy late as well (didn't get the kid in the helmet until 20 months old) and we are seeing improvements. Yes, it is hard for them to get used to the first few nights and yes they can take it off at this age. For me I knew I could not live with the "what if" if we had not gotten our son in a helmet. You have to at least give it a shot.

My son is in a Starband, we have a fantastic orthotist. I think that is what really makes the difference. Cranialtech is probably fantastic, but if you have a very good orthotist I think you will still see good results in the other brands. Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 4:43:21 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement. Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider. But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet. The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does. $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket) is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if you find

that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

babies wake up every 2-3 hours to eat.. pretty sure the helmet will not interfering with making a kid developmentally delayed. From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 10:15:24 AMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the

helmet

This is the type of thing that makes me hesitate to get a band or helmet. Unless it's a severe case (my son's is not) is it worth it to disrupt their all-important sleep requirements? I doubt anyone has done research on how disrupted sleep affects development, etc. Too many unknowns...on both sides of the argument.

On Tue, Dec 7, 2010 at 1:24 AM, Ami Tuyay <amituyay@...> wrote:

My son just graduated from the Starband helmet this past Friday after 6 months. He slept GREAT prior to the helmet, but as soon as he got it on, he woke up at least twice (sometimes 3-4 times a night) the entire 6 months .... I was hoping after we got the helmet off that he'd go back to being my great sleeper, but so far we are on night #3, and my good sleeper has not returned.

I think he just could not get totally comfortable in the helmet to sleep. He ended up sleeping on his stomach but was restless. I know most babies seem to sleep well in their helmets, but my baby was not one of them, unfortunately.

On Mon, Dec 6, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Ingrid <goodflyinggal@...> wrote:

I am very curious to see if anyone else has run into this issue. We have twins and my son has been in the hanger helmet for a couple of weeks and is also fine during the day, but wakes up several times during the night. But my daughter sleeps through the night without a problem.

>> Hi,> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?

> > Thanks!!> Shan>

[Guest guest]

Estrella,

Does your boy keep the band on now?  How far " off " was his head?

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

,

 

If I were you I would 100% get the helmet. We started our helmet therapy late as well (didn't get the kid in the helmet until 20 months old) and we are seeing improvements. Yes, it is hard for them to get used to the first few nights and yes they can take it off at this age. For me I knew I could not live with the " what if " if we had not gotten our son in a helmet. You have to at least give it a shot.

 

My son is in a Starband, we have a fantastic orthotist. I think that is what really makes the difference. Cranialtech is probably fantastic, but if you have a very good orthotist I think you will still see good results in the other brands.

 Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly

Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 4:43:21 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

 

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement.  Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider.  But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet.  The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does.  $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket)  is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

 

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.

Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and  how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if you find that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with

> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the

> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >

> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

My son wears his helmet less than 23 hours a day, probably more like 20, and we started out with 14.8mm assymetry and are down to 6.9 per the last scan in 2 months.

We combined this with CST and physical therapy and I have been loading up my kid with gummi vites so maybe he will grow some more (can always hope).

He likes to take the band off when he has one of his tantrums and I just stick it back on him and distract him until he moves on to the next thing. It is very challenging with older children but they are not growing as fast so ten minutes here and there are not really going to do anything (in my opinion). Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, December 13, 2010 4:35:47 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Estrella,

Does your boy keep the band on now? How far "off" was his head?

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

,

If I were you I would 100% get the helmet. We started our helmet therapy late as well (didn't get the kid in the helmet until 20 months old) and we are seeing improvements. Yes, it is hard for them to get used to the first few nights and yes they can take it off at this age. For me I knew I could not live with the "what if" if we had not gotten our son in a helmet. You have to at least give it a shot.

My son is in a Starband, we have a fantastic orthotist. I think that is what really makes the difference. Cranialtech is probably fantastic, but if you have a very good orthotist I think you will still see good results in the other brands. Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 4:43:21 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement. Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider. But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet. The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does. $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket) is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if you find

that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the detailed info.  Those results are impressive.  Can you actually see the difference?  I've heard that practitioners will take measurements that reflect a " change " while parents are unable to see much change at all.  Do you mean that you give your child lots of vitamins?  Not more than recommended, right? 

Still not sure what I'm gonna do, but it helps to hear what other folks are experiencing.  I have a hard time imagining my boy in a helmet.  He's so happy and sweet.  I don't want to mess that up to ease my conscience.  My wife is categorically opposed to the idea, and I'm trying hard to share her perspective, but it's tough to put it out of my mind.

On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 1:57 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

My son wears his helmet less than 23 hours a day, probably more like 20, and we started out with 14.8mm assymetry and are down to 6.9 per the last scan in 2 months.

 

We combined this with CST and physical therapy and I have been loading up my kid with gummi vites so maybe he will grow some more (can always hope).

 

He likes to take the band off when he has one of his tantrums and I just stick it back on him and distract him until he moves on to the next thing.  It is very challenging with older children but they are not growing as fast so ten minutes here and there are not really going to do anything (in my opinion).

 Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly

Sent: Mon, December 13, 2010 4:35:47 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

 

Estrella,

Does your boy keep the band on now?  How far " off " was his head?

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

,

 

If I were you I would 100% get the helmet. We started our helmet therapy late as well (didn't get the kid in the helmet until 20 months old) and we are seeing improvements. Yes, it is hard for them to get used to the first few nights and yes they can take it off at this age. For me I knew I could not live with the " what if " if we had not gotten our son in a helmet. You have to at least give it a shot.

 

My son is in a Starband, we have a fantastic orthotist. I think that is what really makes the difference. Cranialtech is probably fantastic, but if you have a very good orthotist I think you will still see good results in the other brands.

 Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly

Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 4:43:21 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

 

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement.  Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider.  But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet.  The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does.  $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket)  is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

 

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.

Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and  how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if you find

that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with

> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the

> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >

> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

My baby was still happy and sweet in his helmet. It took him 2 days to get used to it and he was even happy most of those 2 days.

[Guest guest]

,

I can 100% see the difference, it is actually a very dramatic change.

When laying down on his back, his forehead is better "aligned" and further his right cheek does not protude as much. Looking at his face, his eyes are much more symmetrical and his cheeks are lined up evenly. His ears were never terribly off and we have not really seen much change there. His jaw is more centered however we are still working with the last bit of that through the CST. The back of his head is much better and there is not as dramatic of a bulge on the left side however we still have more improvement ahead of us.

From certain angles and especially in mirrors or in mirror images with photographs you can still see the "parallelogram" from the plagio which I am hoping to minimize as much as possible over the remainder of our treatment.

Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Tue, December 14, 2010 8:31:37 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Thanks for the detailed info. Those results are impressive. Can you actually see the difference? I've heard that practitioners will take measurements that reflect a "change" while parents are unable to see much change at all. Do you mean that you give your child lots of vitamins? Not more than recommended, right? Still not sure what I'm gonna do, but it helps to hear what other folks are experiencing. I have a hard time imagining my boy in a helmet. He's so happy and sweet. I don't want to mess that up to ease my conscience. My wife is categorically opposed to the idea, and I'm trying hard to share her perspective, but it's tough to put it out of my mind.

On Tue, Dec 14, 2010 at 1:57 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

My son wears his helmet less than 23 hours a day, probably more like 20, and we started out with 14.8mm assymetry and are down to 6.9 per the last scan in 2 months.

We combined this with CST and physical therapy and I have been loading up my kid with gummi vites so maybe he will grow some more (can always hope).

He likes to take the band off when he has one of his tantrums and I just stick it back on him and distract him until he moves on to the next thing. It is very challenging with older children but they are not growing as fast so ten minutes here and there are not really going to do anything (in my opinion). Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, December 13, 2010 4:35:47 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Estrella,

Does your boy keep the band on now? How far "off" was his head?

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 8:12 PM, Estrella Vila <estrellavila1@...> wrote:

,

If I were you I would 100% get the helmet. We started our helmet therapy late as well (didn't get the kid in the helmet until 20 months old) and we are seeing improvements. Yes, it is hard for them to get used to the first few nights and yes they can take it off at this age. For me I knew I could not live with the "what if" if we had not gotten our son in a helmet. You have to at least give it a shot.

My son is in a Starband, we have a fantastic orthotist. I think that is what really makes the difference. Cranialtech is probably fantastic, but if you have a very good orthotist I think you will still see good results in the other brands. Estrella Moeller

From: Kapell <jasonkapell@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 4:43:21 PMSubject: Re: Re: sleepless with the helmet

Thank you ,

My boy is almost 18 months, so I'm also concerned that there will be very little improvement. Presently, I am going back and forth with insurance, Cranial Tech, and another health care device provider. But your're right...I can always put a stop to it and get rid of the band/helmet. The decision would be a bit easier if Cranial Tech accepted my insurance...everybody else under the sun does. $3300 up front (and $1000 out of pocket) is a lot for something that may not work, or even stay on his head.

On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 7:21 PM, stephaniebilliel <SBilliel@...> wrote:

- Ami's experience, though very difficult, is not very common. I've been reading this board for about 10 months now, and I've found that most babies get used to sleeping in the helmet after a few days to a couple weeks at the most. I wouldn't consider it a reason not to get a helmet.Also, there are studies on sleep deprivation in children and how it relates to development. I read one about a year ago. I get info like this in my email sometimes because I'm a former teacher. Not surprisingly, the study I read found that children don't learn as well when they are chronically overtired. However, this treatment is not comparable to a long-term situation like a child who does not get enough sleep due to poor parenting or a volatile home life. The difference is that you are aware of the importance of your child getting enough sleep and can stop the helmet treatment if

you find that it's not worth it for your situation. I hope you will try the treatment. There's nothing really to lose, and you can always stop if it's not for you. Best of luck!

> >> >> >> > Hi,> >> >> >> > My son is in his Hanger helmet for almost a month now. He's coping with> >> the helmet very well during the day, but has been waking up three or four> >> times (or more!) every night since he started sleeping with the helmet. Has> >> anyone had experiences to share? Any advice on how to help the baby (and the> >> parents..)cope with it and get better sleep?> >> >> >> > Thanks!!> >> > Shan> >> >> >>> >>> >> >> >>------------------------------------For more plagio info