My baby may need a helmet...

Aghh... I feel like such a bad mommy. 6 weeks ago we noticed a flat spot on DS head. When we went to the Ped he said to give him as much belly time as possible. For the past six weeks DS takes his naps in front of me on his mat laying on his belly. He has had a ton of belly time and there really has not been any improvement. We went to the Ped yesterday and he is sending us to get measurments done on his head. As much as I'd like to be positive, being realistic I know he is going to need a helmet. I feel so bad and wish I would have put him on his belly earlier. But SIDS is such a concern of course. I just hope that the helmet does not bother him much. I did a little research and found a clinic that does the fitting of the helmet with 3D imaging rather then a casting so that sound like it will be a better experience for him. Anyone have any other suggestions of things I can do or questions I should ask to make the whole experience better for my DS?

 

You are not a bad mom at all! You want to know a secret? Sure you do. When Seanie and Jamie were babies they spent almost all their time on their back because that was how they were happiest. Sean always had a nice round head but James got a flat spot (and still has it actually). The pedi says it seems like James has a thinner skull than Sean and it flattened more easily. I'm not a bad mom, so I'm sure you're not a bad mom either. It's not like you did it on purpose! :hug99: Guilt isn't going to do anything good for you, so try to forgive yourself. It's ok to make mistakes. That's how we learn and grow.

 

QUOTE(Her Royal Jennyness @ Mar 5 2008, 04:51 PM) [snapback]654020[/snapback]
You are not a bad mom at all! You want to know a secret? Sure you do. When Seanie and Jamie were babies they spent almost all their time on their back because that was how they were happiest. Sean always had a nice round head but James got a flat spot (and still has it actually). The pedi says it seems like James has a thinner skull than Sean and it flattened more easily. I'm not a bad mom, so I'm sure you're not a bad mom either. It's not like you did it on purpose! :hug99: Guilt isn't going to do anything good for you, so try to forgive yourself. It's ok to make mistakes. That's how we learn and grow.


Well put!! Guilt will make you crazy. You are doing a great job by following through on something that you think isnt quite right, well done!!

 

You are NOT a bad mom Jen!! You have done a great job and your babies came early and that can make it even more complicated.

My DS too has a flat spot that we are watching and working to keep him off it. We have been repositioning him since we noticed it at 2 months. We go back for their 4 mo appt next week. While I think it is better, it isn't great. I may be doing the same thing you are here in a few weeks. If so I'll be needing the name of the place you're using

 

If you are a bad mom then I bet a lot of other moms onTS must be too, myself included. This is such a common post in FY, it is hard not to feel guilty/blame ourself when our babies have issues. You are doing the right thing by being proactive about it and doing what you can to change it. When I was worried about DS plagio/torticollis several moms recommended trying the Boppy Noggin Nest.
I didn't get one, just did way more tummy time and head/body positioner from his physical therapist. Once he was able to roll over and sit up more his head rounded out in time.
If you are still feeling blue do a search at the top of the page for helmet and look through some of the old threads about this very thing :hug99:

 

wow! i feel the same way. keigin kinda tilts her head to one side when she sleeps, and she refuses to move it!! its gotten kinda flat, and i always feel bad about it. but then i wonder, well, her and kaylin pretty much do everything the same and her head is perfectly round. i just didnt get it!!

 

Your baby having a flat spot doesn't make you a bad mom!! One of my daughters is wearing a helmet--the casting took all of 5 minutes. Sure Ashlyn wasn't happy, but it wasn't bad at all!! I certainly wouldn't lose sleep over it. The reason my clinic does the plaster casting is because they believe it's more accurate than the 3D image. Ashlyn had NO problems adjusting to the helmet...I think she actually likes it. It makes her feel secure. We have about 3 more weeks until she 'graduates.' I will say, all the appointments have been somewhat of a hassle but the overall experience has been positive.

 

You aren't a bad mommy! You are a good one for recognizing the problem, and doing the things he needs to fix it! :hug99:

 

My Pedi said that really it is a cosmetic issue. My DD's head is really flat in the back, but the dr said "pretty soon she'll have all this beautiful hair covering it up." True. She said once they find a position they like, moving their head/sleeping with it any other way is like exercise to them. My DD lays with her head to the same side, always. She said I could get a helmet if I wanted, but that it was purely cosmetic.... I guess it might be more of an issue with a boy, because they wear their hair shorter?--once they have hair. I remember reading somewhere too that once they start sitting up more, it will round out a little.

 

You are not a bad mom! It could even be due to cramped quarters in the womb, esp. for multiples! My DS has one, and got it at 9 months. It honestly hasn't been that much of a hassle, and it doesn't bother him much at all. They did the 3D scan and it was a cinch. He looks so cute in it, and although I do get a lot of funny looks and questions, I don't mind one bit. I can see it working already, he had a check up today, and they said he may "graduate" soon. I'm guessing about 6 more weeks. And remember, the earlier you start, the shorter the duration of wearing it will be necessary (most likely).

Here's my cutie: http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l219/ami...74/100_5008.jpg

 

As everyone said you are not a bad mom. Trust me both of my boys just received their helmets. They say their flat spots start when they are in our bellys. I felt horrible about getting the helmets but one of my boys has improved so much in three days. Since you are catching it when they are younger they won't have to wear it as long. I felt the same way you do about getting them but it is better for them and he will get use to it sooner then you know it. The lady I see told me "it is not the kids that have the problems with it, it is the parents." This is so true, when I saw they were fine with it I was fine.

Please keep us posted.

 

You are not a bad mom...