Sleeping with a Helmet

[TLCC]

I have a delightful 6 1/2 month old little girl - Tayla who unfortunately has a fairly flat back of the head. We have gotten her a helmet from Brisbane Prostetics and Orthotics which she is supposed to wear 23 hours a day for 12 weeks.

She is great during the day with it, but it is uncomfortable at night for her to lie down in. Is there anyone out there who has had a helmet and can offer us any advice. We know she hates it, but is it worth perservering through a few bad times for a hopefully good outcome. Any good news stories about this would be most welcome.

Sincerly,

Tayla's mum who feels terrible for making her wear a helmet!

[veve]

I hadn't heard of baby helmets until I saw a show on tv a few months ago- I think it was sixty minutes, but I cant be sure.

It was fascinating to see these Doctors working with families to provide helmets for the little kids- who had developed flat spots at the back of their heads- the doctors were so kind (the kids were definately not happy at their first fitting appointments though! :) )

I dont think that many people are aware that due to SIDS awareness and the fact that ALL kids are now laid on their backs ALL the time to sleep- that this actually happens a lot!!!

I'll have to ask/ search around and see if I can track down the info from that show- it might have given tips???? I guess I just wanted to check that you knew that the helmets are actually becoming needed in many situations- I hope you dont feel alone....

lots of love and hugs :)
veve

[TLCC]

Hi Veve,

Thanks so much for replying. There was actually something on today tonight about it which is where we first saw it. They certainly claim it works with a 98% success rate, so we are hoping for the best.

Tayla is getting better at sleeping with it, but isn't a fan and we can understand why.

We went to a plagio clinic at the Mater which is solely for mishapen heads and there would be 50 people there so yes your right the SIDS guidelines is making a generation perhaps of flat or lobsided heads.

Oh well, hopefully if the next person who has a question about helmets sees my message, we might be able to offer them some support down the line. In the meantime, I'll go back to sleeping when she sleeps.

Thankyou.

[jane82]

hi there
i know this is a uk based website but it has some great info on plagio and tips to help with sleeping etc
www.plagiocephalyuk.co.uk
thanks j

[deanbean]

I have taken myself and my now 8.5mnth old DD to an osteopath since birth (hers not mine!) They are kind of like a physio and a bit like a chiro and a bit different to both. I don't know any in Brisbane but I'm sure there are some paediatric specialist osteo's there. They are very gentle and treat all sorts of baby body issues. Whilst my bub didn't have a flat head she had a dodgy neck which the osteo sorted at 3weeks of age - no manipulation or anything just very gentle very specific movements - some of which you won't even notice. I referred a friend to my osteo for her baby who has a flat head and she has seen some awesome improvement and couldn't be happier - I presume the baby is pretty happy too since she hasn't had to wear a helmet!

good luck. If you are concerned about taking your baby to someone you don't know perhaps you could have a treatment yourself? Or if you felt like coming to Adelaide I can suggest an awesome practitioner here :p

[babytoo]

Sorry I have a question....my DD is 9 months and has a slightly flat head which was flatter when she was younger...is this a new thing? I was told that bubs heads will fill out as they get older, sit up, more etc...now I'm worried that I am missing out on something..

[aimz]

Hi babytoo... most babies have a slightly flat head.... it is generally picked up as a problem by your child health nurse or GP... my bub has a flat spot which we thought might result in a helmet but it is improving every day...

like someone else has said, the reason for the increase in babies with flat spots is due to babies being slept on their backs now and they obviously favour one side....

If it hasn't been picked up before i would assume that your bub is fine but if you're worried you could always take bub to your CHN or GP to get it checked out.

[pickles]

My daughter had a very flat head on one side ( cannot remember which now ). When she turned 12 months and started moving a lot more in bed it grew round again. Wouldnt even know now ( nearly 4 ) I too also took her to the chiro.
Good Luck
Pickles
DD 02/03
DS 03//05