Cranial Remoulding

[Roseythorn]

Hi,

My 9 month old baby has a flat side on his head due to sleeping on the same side all of the time. I have an appointment next week to see about getting him one of those helmets to reshape the side of his head (they are called cranial remoulding helmet). Has anyone else had experience with one of these and were they happy with the outcome? And also what age was your bub when he had it, I am told around 4-6 months of age is the best time to reshape the head. But with my bub being 9 months I'm worried it won't be so effective.

[Tam-I-Am]

My DD also had a flat spot on her head (its called a plagiocephaly), and I took her to a really well renowned paediatric chiropractor in the region - they gave me the following information on a sheet -


It seems that babies with flat spots on their heads are far more common than they used to be. The cause is often linked to the more recent practice of sleeping babies on their back to minimize the risk of SIDS. While sleeping posture may contribute to an increase in babies with flat spots on their head it is not the only reason. In some infants the distorted head shape will resolve at an early age, for others it persists. The question of why it only develops in some babies, regardless of sleeping position, and the consequences on the development of the child are important. Chiropractic research can offer some answers to these questions.
Does it matter if my baby has a flat spot?
Yes. Recently published research has shown that if the abnormal head shape remains unresolved, unequal brain development may occur wiht subsequent school learning problems developing. It has the capcity to prevent a child from reaching their maximum potential.
Treatment
When a child is put back into structural balance with gentle, safe, chiropractic adjustments the natural growth of the brain will push the head slowly and permanently back into shape. Children who have chiropractic care respond best when that care is given early in life, preferably before they are four months old. The commonness of this problem today and its potential consequences is a key reason why infant health care is of life long benefit.

I also found this link on it http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/positional_plagiocephaly.html

I don't know about the helmets, but I took DD to the chiro when she was 6 months old. It was pretty severe (25 degrees out) and she is 10 months old now and it has resolved - she no longer has the plagiocephaly. It might be worth seeing a chiro before your bubba is fitted for the helmet.

[missolive]

Hi Roseythorn,

While I can't tell you the outcome of wearing a helmet, I just wanted to say that we are in the same boat. My DD who is 5 and a half months will most likely be needing one in a month or so.

We went to the clinic yesterday and they will be reassessing her in a month ie over 6 months old. She was born with torticollis (where the muscle of the neck was tight on one side limiting the range of movement to one side) and as a result has developed a side flat spot from lieing on back with head rolled constantly to her favoured (and more comfortable) side. We started physio exercises a few months again and while the torticollis has got heaps better, the flat spot is still pretty noticable.

Guess we will just wait and see how things go

[arthursmum]

Have just read an article which says that 'flat spots' on a babies skull does not alter a child's brain development as one posting that I read suggests. I guess it's another one of those areas upon which the medical experts cannot agree.

www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/factsheets.cfm?doc_id=7666

[Cheeky Little Monkey]

My 24 week old DD has a slight flat spot on the back of her head on the right hand side.
I noticed it a few weeks ago. It is the side she tends to sleep on.
My question is, Do I book her in to see the Ped or should I go straight to a Chiro?

[Roseythorn]

My DS got his helmet last week, and I can already see a slight improvement in the shape of his head trying to recorrect itself. He will have to wear it for approx 4 months. He has gotten used to wearing the helmet and doesn't mind it at all.

In reply to your question Miss cheeky monkey, the physio refereed us for the helmet or if you go to your gp they can refer you to your childrens hospital. Your local CHN should also be able to help you. If you go private like I did, you don't need a referral I just went straight to the Orthotics specalist in Brisbane.

Goodluck Miss Olive I hope all goes well for you. If you need any more info, I'm only to happy to help.

[ButterflyKisses]

my DS had the same problem as he favoured tilting his head to the right side when sleeping. Our paed. told us to roll a cloth nappy or small towel/hand towel up and wedge it under his right shoulder to force his head to roll to the left side when he was sleeping.

he only has a slight flat spot now but it certainly has done nothing (so far) to his learning abilities in fact he is ahead of children of the same age at his playgroup with talking and his usage of long words and prounciation amazes the other mums.

I'd still go ahead with the helmet as you have nothing to lose by trying.

GOOD LUCK

[Ky]

My little man was born huge (5.94kg) and very strong. He had a favoured side to sleep on and as a result, was able to bypass any preventative measures we took (sleep positioners, rolled up nappies etc) and just shift his upper body sideways so that he could take up his favoured position again!

This ended up giving him a severe flattening on the side of his head. His ears were misalligned and his eye sockets were out of place making him look like he had a squint when his eyes were in fact working beautifully together.

We took him to a cranial osteopath (who worked on his chronic reflux as well) and a paediatrician (who said we were to late to do anything about it) and eventually resigned ourselves to letting nature take it's course. Of course, my dh was very upset as little boys usually have short haircuts and he didn't want his little man teased constantly.

The upshot of it all is that since he has been walking it has slowly resolved itself to the point where he no longer looks like he has a squint, his ears are only just slightly different heights (only shows when he wears sunnies) and unless you are looking at him from above (being aware you are looking for a deformity) the flattening is barely noticable, in fact, we have yet to have anyone comment ... even health professionals! He is now 3 btw.

Good on you for getting onto this quickly and getting the helmet - I am glad that it is working for you! Be reassured that gravity will play a major part once your lo is upright ie. sitting or standing.

[nemosmum]

My dh has a flat spot, its not severe enough to make him look weird or anything BUT it is noticeable when he shaves his head....................Im wondering if this is why his such a brainless twit?????? JJ:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

On a serious note my son when first born was always sleeping on one side and dh was paranoid that ds would have a flat head too, so he would reposition him in the middle of the night just to ensure both sides of the head where evened out iykwim

As a result ds has a perfectly shaped head even when we shave his hair!

Good luck to everyone whose bubs are using the helmets I hope all turns out well!

[missolive]

Its great that things are improving so quicky Roseythorn and that your little one has adjusted to the helmet really well.

We went back to the clinic for the six and a half month check up and they thought Dd had improved to such a degree that she was no longer a candidate for the helmet. But we are going again for a review in 6 weeks, in case things stop improving, as apparently the helmet is best begun anytime up to 9 months.

My little one is sitting up by herself now and loves her tummy time, so im sure it all helped. :thumbsup:

[QueensMum]

Hiya,
My twins girls (nearly 5months old) went yesterday to have casts made of their heads ready for the helmets.
Roseythorn - How long did it take your bubba until he was in the helmet for the full 23 hours a day? That's great that you can see improvement in only a week.. I'm really looking forward to seeing the change. How do you go when you go out with your bubba? Do you get alot of stares and questions?

I was abit freaked out by the idea of the girls having to have the helmets but really, in the scheme of things, 3 months is really not long at all and in the end they will have beautifully round heads.... I'll have to keep their hair short to show off how well the helmets have worked!! :laughing:
Sheridan

[Roseythorn]

Hi Twinmum2be,

It took a little over a week for my son to wear the helmet 23 hours a day. At first he didn't mind wearing it when he was in a sitting position. But it took a little while longer for him to get used to it when he was trying to roll. (he is 10 months now, still not even close to crawling but is excellent at rolling). Now he doesn't mind it at all, he uses his helmet as a crash hat. One good thing is no tears when he hits his head...lol

With wearing the helmets out and about, at first I was a bit worried about looks or stares. But I have found most people don't even worry. I have been asked a few times about the helmet and I just tell them its to reshape his head from getting a flat spot from sleeping on the same side. Most people are amazed that this can be fixed. If people do stare I just think to myself my kid is going to have the most beautiful shape head in a few months and its better to get stares now for a few months then kids teasing him later on in life.

I took my son for a review last week and the guy said his head is reshaping quicker than he expected. So it may come off sooner then he first thought.

I hope all goes well with the twins and the helmets, you must let me know how they go.

Goodluck

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,
Thanks so much for your reply. Hopefully we will be getting the girls helmets next week so we can get this whole process started.

I agree with you that it's definately better to have a few stares now rather than the teasing later on!!

That's great that your son is doing so well. I hope the girls' progress is as quick as that. Have they given you any timeframe as to how long your bubba will be in the helmet for? Did you get a funky design? We picked the pale pink one with butterflys on it (so very girlie :) )

I'll let you know how the girls go and I'd be really interested to hear how your bub goes as well.

Good Luck Back

[Roseythorn]

Hi Twinmum2be,

How are your girls going? Have they got their helmets yet.

I seen the butterfly design one I thought it was so cute. Ben has got a green helmet with turtles he looks so cute in it. What clinic do you go to, I go to the one at Chermside. But we had the cast made at the Moorooka office.

I have found its best to wash the helmets during the day and leave them outside to dry in the sun. With the weather getting cooler its taking longer for the helmet to dry. Just a thought for you to keep in mind.

Ben has his six week checkup next week, it was thought at first because we left getting the helmet a little later than recommended he may need to wear it for 4 or 5 months. But with his head shapping out nicely he many only need to wear it for 3 months.

I hope your girls are doing well.
take care

PS. Ben's flat spot is on the right side of his head due to always sleeping that way. Where abouts are your girls flat spots?

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,

My girls got their helmets yesterday. So today has been full on (15 mins On / 20 mins Off then 20 mins on / 20 mins Off (plus times all that by 2!!!!) Today I got them to half an hour on so we'll see how we go tomorrow. They don't seem to mind the helmet at all which is a good thing!! :yelclap:

We go to the Mater Community Centre at Wooloongabba (GB Orthopedics) which is good as it's only a 10 minute drive from home.

Thanks very much for the tip. I washed the helmets with them in their bath tonight, but I might switch to washing during the day.....THANKS!!

That's great that Ben only has to wear the helmet for 3 months. That time will positively fly by.

What a coincidence!. The girls flat spots are on their right hand side as well. I think it may have started off in the womb ('cause they were all scrunched in there), but then they definately were always sleeping on the one side. We look back on all the pictures and they are always facing the same way...

Do you have any problems with Ben's helmet falling down close to his eyes? Olivia's helmet seems really quite low. It doesn't seem to bother her but everytime I look at it I want to yank it back up! :) I think 'cause there is nothing for the helmet to hold onto on one side it will tend to fall forward abit.....

I'd love to hear how Ben goes with his 6 week check up. It's great to have another Mother to chat to about these things...
Sheridan

[Roseythorn]

Hi Sheridan

How are the girls adjusting to the helmets, taking it well I hope :)

Over the long weekend Ben developed some sores on the back of his head, so we left the helmet off for a few days to try and clear it up.

Anyway, we had the six week checkup today, and the guy filed a little hole inside the helmet to stop the helmet rubbing too much hopefully this will fix the problem. I just keep an eye on it over the next couple of days to see how it goes. He did say this doesn't happen very often.

No, I don't have a problem with the helmet falling to low over Bens eyes. Because one side of his forehead sticks out futher than the other. He has a gap under the left side of the helmet and the right side of the helmet is a snug fit. So hopefully the helmet will help the forehead grow to a even level.

Take care
Lisa

[shed]

Do these helmets actually treat the cause, or just a symptom?

[QueensMum]

Hi there,

Roseythorn - Hi there! The girls are settling well into their helmets. They had them on from 6.30am to 6.30pm tonight so I think tomorrow night they will sleep in them. We've got an appt with the Orthotist tomorrow to fix Olivia's helmet as it is really low over her eyes and is annoying her.

Was your Orthotist pleased with Ben's progress in the last 6 weeks? Are you still looking at the 3 month timeframe?


We had our first public outing to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre today with the girls in their helmets. We got alot of stares, but we actually got fewer people stopping and making comments about them (which in some ways is really good - sometimes it's like no-one has ever seen twins before :) )

Shed - Hi there. The cause, in my girls case, is that before they had good neck control they were constantly sleeping on just the one side of their heads (in bed, in their rocker, in the car seats etc) and since their skull plates are relatively soft all that pressure was causing one side to flatten. In the majority of cases, I believe the "flat spots" tend of fix themselves once the baby has better neck support and is on their tummy more and then crawling (ie. pressure being taken off that one spot), but in the girls case, their flat spots were just that little bit more severe. The helmets prevent any more pressure being placed on the flat spot and therefore as the head is growing it can now grow in that area and thus even out the head shape. So to answer your question, the helmets treat the cause (ie pressure being placed on one part of their heads) AND the symptom (ie. flat spot). I hope that makes sense :ecomcity:

Sheridan

[Roseythorn]

Hi Twinmum2be,

Have the girls settled into their helmets yet and wearing most of the time now.

Ben had his 8 week review today, things are coming along nicely. The doc said there is now only a 3mm difference of the cross section of the head (really good to hear). But his forehead still has a bit to go. He is unsure how much longer he will have to wear it, because as he is almost one (first birthday in 2 weeks) the growing of head has slowed down a bit. His flat spot is shaping out very nicely, can certainly notice the difference now.

How often do the girls get there helmet reviewed?

When you are out and about have you seen other babies with the helmet? I've only seen other babies when we go to the clinic, haven't seen any out at the shops or anything.

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,

The girls are in their helmets for the full 23 hours a day now. They been in them full-time for about 2.5 weeks. We have our second follow up appt next week. Our appts are about every 2.5 weeks so that they can shape the helmets to catch any growth spurt that happens.

We had our first follow up appt 2 weeks ago and the Orthotist could already see abit of difference in the girls heads (especially Sarah's), so that was GREAT!!

I haven't seen any other bubbas with helmets at the shops, but I was at Mt Ommaney the other day and a woman with twin girls came up and asked about the helmets as her girls need to have them. She was asking alot of questions and said it was great that we ran into each other 'cause she hadn't seen any other babies with helmets either.

That's fantastic that Ben's flat spot is evening out. 3mm!!! that is like nothing at all! GREAT NEWS!! :smiliedance:

It's strange that the longer that the girls have their helmets on, the less that I notice them...WEIRD.

Only 2 weeks until his first birthday! How cool!! What are you doing? I've been talking to a friend (who also has twins) what to do for the girls birthday (mind you, it's not until January next year!!!), but we were thinking of covering everything with plastic, sitting the girls in their highchairs, giving them both a birthday cake and let them go nutso :laughing:

[Roseythorn]

Hi Twinmum2be,

Just had another checkup with the helmet for Ben, and we are now on the home straight. Looks like he will be out of the helmet in approx. 4 weeks.
His head is nice and round now and can't even notice where the flat spot was.
I want to him to wear the helmet for a few weeks longer just to even up his forehead a bit. I think Ben will miss wearing the helmet, at the moment when he hits he head on the furniture he thinks its funny.

How are the girls going with there helmet? How much longer have they got to go?

Hope all is well
take care
Roseythorn

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,

That's excellent about Ben's progress. I'll bet your counting down the days!! How long has he had the helmet on in total? We went for a review 4 weeks ago and they were really happy with the amount of change (we obviously got the helmets on just in time for a growth spurt).

We've got another visit today and if everything is still going well they said they'd talk about weaning the girls out of their helmets. HOORAY!! :smiliedance: I've noticed that Olivia still has abit of a flat spot in the middle of her head at the back (up the top of her head), but this part is sort of above the helmet line so I don't think the helmet will fix this bit though.

The girls have had their helmets on for 2 months know and that time has just flown by.

It's so great that in such a short time the kids now have perfectly shaped heads! I want to keep the girls hair short now just to show it off!! :laughing:

Take Care
Sheridan

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,

NO MORE HELMETS!!:smiliedance: We had our appt on Monday and the Orthotist said that she was really happy with the girls' progress and that there was no need to keep the helmets on. The helmets were getting abit small for the girls as well so it was good that we could take them off before they got too uncomfortable.

I thought that we would have to wean the helmets off but surprisingly we didn't. I think if the girls were older we might have to but I don't think it bothers them either way to have them off or on.

It's great that our kids will now have beautifully shaped heads thanks to these helmets. It's such a fantastic thing!! :thumbsup:

It was great to have another Mother to chat to about these helmets. Thanks! :hugs: I'd love to hear about how Ben progresses in the next 4 weeks and how he goes with his helmet off.

Take Care,
Sheridan

[Roseythorn]

Hi Sheridan,

We had our last helmet appointment yesterday, and yes finally the helmet is ready to come off. Thank goodness, because the little cheeky monkey has worked out how to take it off.

His head looks really good now, everyone says they can't even tell he had a flat spot. ( But, being his mother I can still see it, its barely noticeable though). The doc said he's head will still grow until his about 18 years old, so as he gets older it should still round out a bit more and grow about 10cm more.

He still only sleeps with his head on the right side, the doc said it wouldn't hurt for him to sleep with the helmet on of a night. Just as a preventive measure. (thats if he doesn't take it off during the night)

I can't believe how quickly the four months went, and the results are fantastic. I'm so used to him wearing the helmet, he looks different without it now.

Thanks for your support, it was nice to talk with someone who was going through the same thing.

take care
Roseythorn

[Twins+1]

Hi Ladies

I also have 5 month old twin girls that have been referred to the Mater as they have flat heads. The referral was faxed through to the Mater about 2 - 3 weeks ago. I phoned them last week to make sure they had rec'd the referral and was told they had but it would be quite sometime until we could see anyone as they only have appointments once a month and the list is quite long.

This worries me as I have been told the quicker you get on to it the quicker the results (and having to wear the helmet). How long did it take for you to get in to see the specialist? Is there any other way to get in any quicker?

Glad to here that the helmets have worked for your little ones.

Regards
Jane

[QueensMum]

Hi there Twins+1,

We got our referral faxed through to GB Orthopedics from our Phsyiotherapist and when we rang to make an appt we got one the next week. GB Orthopedics are situtated in the Mater Community Service building (I think it's on Annerley Road at Woolloongabba).

The Orthotist did say to us that the best time to start wearing a helmet is between 4-6 months as that is generally when a big growth spurt happens.

We had the girls helmets put on around 5 months and had them on for 2 months only (as we just got the helmets on in time for that growth spurt).

I would definately try around a few places as it is definately better to get them on sooner rather than later.

I hope this helps and I hope you can get your girls sorted out soon :)

Sheridan

[QueensMum]

Hi there Roseythorn,

HOORAY!! :smiliedance: That's great news!!!

Has he figured out that he can't hit his head on the furniture anymore ;)

The girls have banged their heads on the floor a few times when they are on their tummys obviously not realising that they don't have their helmets to protect them anymore.........

I know what you're saying though about still seeing abit of a flat spot. Obviously we mothers are overly picky. I can still see certain areas of the girls heads that aren't perfect but to anyone else they would have no idea and also as their hair grows it won't be noticable at all. Bring on the hair growth!!!!:yelclap:

Take Care,
Sheridan

[Twins+1]

Hi Ladies,

Just wanted to let you know how glad I am that I saw this post. I phoned GB Orthopedics to see if they could help me and they made me an appointment straight away. I saw them on Wednesday and the girls had the moulds made for their helmets and we are going back again next Friday to have the helmets fitted. Who knows how long I would have waited for the Mater to get us in.

I am a bit sad that they have to have the helmets but I know that it could be alot worse, atleast they are happy & healthy babies. Hopefully, they won't be in them for long.

Take care
Jane

[QueensMum]

Hi there Jane,

That's great that GB Orthopedics were able to help you. We found them very helpful. We had Bianca Neilson and she was great with the girls.

My husband and I were also abit sad having to have the girls in helmets but in the long run the difference it makes is unbelievable!!! The time really does fly by and hopefully, since you've started the procedure early, the helmets will be able to do their job really quickly.

We started the girls at 5 months and only had them on for 2 months so that was fantastic!

I was abit apprehensive about taking the girls out and about. You definately don't get as many comments as you normally do with twins (but that can be a good thing ;) )

After a while you sorta forget that the girls are in helmets at all.

I hope all goes well for you. I'd love to hear about their progress.

Take care,
Sheridan

[daynaj77]

I have a 13 month old son and Dr's and his ped have commented on it but didn't suggest helmets or anything. I am worried about being picked on etc when he is older. I was told it wasnt helpful after 10 months but a recent artical in the Sunday Telgraph has said it is treatable until 18months. I am booked in to the cranial facial specialist at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane which has taken me 6 months to get into but as have just moved up from Sydney and was wondering if there is somewhere else I can take my son as each day now is vital for him. I am starting to stress out. I would be happy to go the the Gold Coast or Brisbane anywhere where I can get in sooner. I dont care about money at this stage.

Sorry to waffle on but I am getting to the final stage of help. Thanks

[Roseythorn]

Hi,

I have pm'ed you.

[mum23girls]

In relation to this topic ( I realise it is a bit old..) just make sure your baby can turn their head so that their nose is over the shoulder. You will have to turn it for them. If it causes some distress, it means it hurts them, then a chiro would be able to help. If they just sleep on one side all the time to get a flat spot, it may mean that they just can't turn their head cause it is sore.... :wizard:

[daynaj77]

Thanks one and all. I found a specialist at Brisbane and they saw me the following week. The man there was excellent he said that my son has a small flat spot directly on the back of his head and that I helmet would never have really helped and if he had worn a helmet the end result would have been the way his head currently is. I was so releaved. I think for the past 13 months people hae told me how my son had a big head and made comments (people can be so mean) do they not think we wouldnt worry and be hurt by these comments. He has always been a bug boy he was born 4.2kg and is on the 110% for his age for weight, height and head but what do you expect from a 6ft tall women and 6.3ft man. It is lovely having a big robust boy.
So anyway I just wanted to say thanks and I hope that if your bubs do have helmet there heads turn out as cute and handsome and my sons, also if anyone if looking at this post and worried just go and get it checked out. I am still booked into the cranialfacial department at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane for XRays and stuff but I know that he is just beautiful the way he is. :thumbsup:

[arty]

I have just heard of a product designed by a French peadiatrician that is supposed to help reduce the risk of 'flat head'. It is too late for you to use it now Rosey but I thought others might benefit from knowing about it. It's called a 'lovenest' and is available online at urbanbaby.com.au. I have just bought one. Hope this helps!


Hi,

My 9 month old baby has a flat side on his head due to sleeping on the same side all of the time. I have an appointment next week to see about getting him one of those helmets to reshape the side of his head (they are called cranial remoulding helmet). Has anyone else had experience with one of these and were they happy with the outcome? And also what age was your bub when he had it, I am told around 4-6 months of age is the best time to reshape the head. But with my bub being 9 months I'm worried it won't be so effective.

[Kadens Mum]

Hi My name is Michelle. My son is two and also has a flat spot at the back of his head. We were unable to go with the helmet only because he also had premature fusion of the metopic suture (middle of forehead). Because of this the specialist said it would be to painful because of the ridge down the centre of his forehead. HOWEVER a close friend of mine had a helmet made for her little boy and was really pleased with the results. I haven't heard any negative feed back. Hope this helps.

:fingerscrossed:

[shell25]

Do you know what's in your head?

I know that this is a very strange question and it is not in anyway meant to be argumentative.

After reading through most of the previous posts about cranial remolding using helmets, I was amazed and scared to read, that it is thought that the helmets wont cause any ill effects, to the baby or infant that is wearing them.

Everyones head is made up of layers and one of the most important layers contains (CSF) cerebral spinal fluid, and is pumped from the base of your spine to your head and throughout your entire body, its job is to remove any toxins.

The cranial plates and sutures on an infant are movable, soft and smaller then an adults, as some have not yet fused together.

Just imagine what it would be like to wear a helmet and then to have it made firmer, for months.

What do you think would happen to the CSF and the sutures and the cranial plates in these children?

I'm am not completely against these, I am simply asking you at all look at the bigger picture here.

What is happening beneath the surface, while you are trying to change the appearance of your babies head.

I cant for a moment imagine what it would be like to have a child in this situation, as I my son isn't in this situation. We chose to have chiropractic care for years before we fell pregnant, we had him check at 2 days old and we all continue to have a monthly check ups.

Because I understand how the human body works, I completely believe and understand the benefits of wellness care with a chiropractic doctor.
I understand that as it was mentioned in the beginning, this starts from inter-uterine constraint and birth trauma, and the position of bub when sleeping.
There for we chose to sleep our son on a breathable mattress and on his tummy or sides from day one.

I have seen more and more children presenting with this side effect, it is so sad, because I know that chiropractic can make a change though it is usually seen as a last resort or too invasive, due to peoples misconceived ideas on how it works and what they do.

I have added in a link below, to help you gather more information on cranial remolding and how chiropractors should be your first port of call.

http://www.icpa4kids.org/why.htm

Should you wish to find a chiropractor that is trained to care for for infants this website will also help.

I hope that I have not in anyway caused pain in what I have said here, it is only for through seeing the changes personally through many years of care and as a chiropractic assistant that I wish to pass on this information to help parents make an informed choice about their child's future.

:smiliedance: