how do you feel about helmets?

Lorien is pulling up on EVERYTHING. I have tried removing what I could but obviously I can't empty my house. Besides she'll find some strange random thing to pull up on that I wouldn't even think about. She has had some pretty big falls already and we have mostly hard tile floors (and a lot of it). Yesterday she had pulled up on the high chair and she lost her footing and hit the side of her head and cheek on the floor. She had a pretty nice bump on both. I iced it and today there is pretty much no evidence of the fall. She has fallen several times now so dh and I were thinking of getting her a helmet to wear in the house. I don't think Lorien will enjoy having it on her head but I don't know what else to do. I'm scared that one of these days, her fall is going to be followed by a call to 911. What do you think? Anyone ever use one on their twins? Or are we just being over precaucious? I know the head is made to be pretty strong but I feel like everytime she pulls up on something I'm going to have a heart attack!!

 

At that age Brooke had a helmet for her plagio, but after about a month, she absolutely hated it, was trying to pull it off and that caused her more distress. Our kids are made of stern stuff and I think everyone goes thru this, we also have hardwood floors thruout our house, the girls are approaching 2 and we've gotten a few bumps and bruises along the way, but nothing major.

 

I would not put a helmet on her. She will most likely hate it, and they have to learn to catch themselves when they are falling, and unfortunately a few bumps is usually what it takes. I have hardwood floors and I am dealing with the same thing right now with Jacob. He has taken a few really hard licks, and now he is more careful. Just try to be there when she is pulling up, maybe put a few extra pillows or rugs down on the tile. I know it's really hard when you have 2 babies going in different directions.

 

I think they provide a false sense of security. One of the biggest lessons at that age is to learn how to fall, I know it sounds silly but they will learn how to control their falls and catch themselves but they can't do it without trial and error. If the helmet protects them they won't realize they need to do it.

 

I actually bought several packs of day care mats at Sam's club and padded my entire living room floor - I'm not so much worried about the falls as the clunks on the noggin so instead of helmets (that dh wanted and I absolutely REFUSED) we padded the floor - they still fall and still cry a bit cuz they get scared but their heads are spared...

 

If you put them in helmets, when would you feel OK with them NOT having them? They're going to cruise, walk, run, climb... and eventually DATE Really, you haven't seen anything yet. They will have plenty of bumps and bruises. You can't protect them forever so you may as well get used to them doing things that occasionally result in some crying and an ice pack. They're not going to do any real damage falling that short distance while pulling up and they need the practice.

 

Bumps and bruises are a normal part of growing up. I agree with Dianne, that they might give a false sense of security. We have had one visit to the hospital with a bump on the head and that was when Nolan climbed out of his highchair at 10 months old. She will be fine without the helmet.

 

I agree, they have to learn to fall. I understand how you feel though, I am constantly holding my breath pretending not to see with the girls I did buy some of that rubber that goes around sharp edges so they can't bump pulling up. I think the mat idea is great for falling down though!

 

I agree with everyone else, cover any sharp edges & let them learn to fall. They are not likely to seriously injure themselves just falling down, they are made of pretty sturdy stuff. Most babies injured in falls, fall off of something so that they are falling a longer distance & hitting with more force. That doesn't mean you won't have some pretty nasty bumps & bruises and it's hard not to worry, but as pp said, it is part of growing up.

 

As the mother of a 7 year old boy I can tell you:

They never stop falling!

My poor 7 yo is covered in bruises still. The only thing you can do is cover or hide the dangerous stuff and try not to gasp every time they tip over. This is the most nerve wracking part of babyhood.