Four Month Old Son Needs Helmet

Updated on July 13, 2009
R.P. asks from Richardson, TX
15 answers

Sigh. I found out today my son needs a helmet as his head has a flat area. Our first appointment was six weeks ago, and, at the time, they recommended tummy time and stretches to help with the spot. My husband, myself, and the wonderful people at our daycare put a lot of time and attention into their instructions, hoping to avoid the helmet. My question is: Have any of you had to get a helmet for your baby? How did it go? We're using Cranial Technologies on Hilcrest Plaza in Dallas. Has anyone else been there? What was your impression of the care?

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm feeling a little more informed on the topic, which will hopefully help us make a decision. My son went to the peditrician today, so I asked her opinon. Basically she said the flat spot's not too bad, and the odds are small it would affect his development. But she did seem to think the helmet would be the preferred route. We're now waiting to hear from insurance, and we're looking into getting a second opinon at some the places you moms recommended. Thanks again for all the wonderful advice.

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R.L.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried going to a pediatric chiropractor? My infant developed a very flat spot on his head due to torticollis. His pediatrician suggested the chiropractor route before the helmet because the helmet ends up trapping the body fluids up in the head instead of letting them flow the way they should. We have been going now for a few months and there is a HUGE difference!! We go to Dr. Melissa Shelton and she is great!

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E.H.

answers from Dallas on

R., you are going to get a lot of advice on this topic, but you need to trust your instincts. My daughter, who is turning 2, also had to wear a helmet from Cranial Technologies. I actually took her to 2 places for consultations after my pediatrician recommended we get a helmet for her. Cranial Technologies was more expensive for us, but I just felt better with the staff, their knowledge, etc. At first I was given the advice to stretch her neck, etc., but at the time they said we could try it out for a few weeks, but by the time I took her (she was around 6 months), they didn't think the stretching would fix the problem. I wasn't so concerned with the flat spot on her head (because her hair could hide it), but with the possible long-term problems - because of the flat spot being off-center, her facial features were off-center. It wasn't noticeable to the naked eye, but I did a ton of research and if her face continued to develop this way, it could impact her vision, her hearing and have other significant long term effects. I was devastated at having her wear a helmet, but she totally could care less. When we first put it on, we got all excited about it and she never noticed it after that (she probably cried for about 10 minutes). We followed the rules - only taking it off for 1 hour a day (for bath time) and she only needed it for 6 weeks. I am so happy with my decision and would recommend this procedure for anyone who is in the same situation I was. Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

One of our twins had to wear one for about 4 mos. (6-10 mos. old). He had torticollis and plagiocephaly and was already in physical therapy for the stretching before we went in for our first appt. with Cranial Tech. I feel they are very up front and honest with their opinions on whether or not your child will need a helmet, and if they feel there will be a great benefit or not. We really liked the staff and our clinician, Lisa (she was wonderful!). It really did make a huge difference with our son and we are very pleased with the results. Our insurance didn't cover the cost at all, but it was well worth it. If you are unsure about the helmet, get opinions from your pediatrician and maybe a referral to a specialist just to get some other opinions to help make your decision. Hope this helps. Feel free to message me if you have any other questions. Good luck!

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J.G.

answers from Dallas on

I work in a child dev. center and one of our little guys recently had to have a helmet. He is doing just fine with it. It's light weight and it really doesn't seem to bother him. It has made an amazing amount of difference in a very short time. The parents seem to be very pleased.

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W.T.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter had a helmet for severe flat head and we used Crainial Technologies too. There is another place that is half the price and has a much better fitting process called Hanger. I haven't used them but have had many friends who did. The fitting process at CT is painful for you as a parent and terrifying for your child. Mine cried the entire time (they put plaster over your child's head to make a mold, let it sit for a few minutes, then break it off, they make holes for her eyes and nose, but it's not pleasant). We also had issues at first with it fitting properly and had to go in several times and almost had to redo the whole initial molding process (one spot rubbed a spot raw on her temple). She wore the helmet for three months and once we got it fitted correctly she didn't mind it at all and it worked great. We were supposed to do two helmets since hers was so severe but we just did one and she still has a somewhat flat head, but now that she's 2 and has a full head of hair it's not that bad. I would also wait until your child is six months before getting a helmet. He still is a bit young. It will look worse at 4 months but then start to get better from there.

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S.C.

answers from Dallas on

We went to Cranial tech for our boy and he ended up not needing a helmet - just neck exercises. They were great to us but I have heard from others that they tend to over-treat. Often times physical therapy for the neck is usually all that is needed. If the baby has developed a pattern to sleep on one side of the head it is a result of, or it produces, a muscular issue that "pulls" the head to that side thus the baby wants to sleep on that side. I would encourage you to go get a second opinion at the Dell Childrens Cranial-Facial group in Austin, TX.

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

I've been there too. I know that sigh all too well. We did end up at CT and they were great with us. They DO NOT cast in mold anymore. It's all computer generated.

My child adjusted so quickly to the helmet. In fact it was a non issue with her. It was mom who had a harder time, guilt. I dreaded the looks, while I did get them and questions I just answered them directly and she looked very cute! Then you will get the people who will say my child had one and look at them now. Always made me feel better. I'm now a person who tells others our story too!

There are so many reasons for the flatness and most are out of parent control. My baby was a preemie and was incubated for a period time and we just couldn't get the flatness to "pop" out. I was a tummy, turning crazy lady.

My child had the helmet for 3 months and I remember at the end I was like, how silly I was for the anxiety...it was really no big deal and over so quickly. We joked that if she ever gets a compliment on her head she had better thank her parents! Is is perfect no, but did it improve yes and no one can now tell only a trained head person (hee, hee).

My great nephew was suggested to get one and they did not have the money for it and you can see it with out a doubt. He is now 4. Is he a happy, healthy, smart, handsome boy - you bet. My husband and I wonder if he'll get picked on by peers as he gets older - so awful, but a reality. My husband was no for the helmet until he saw my nephew.

I had never heard of the fluid flow issue - more guilt :). I would ask your pedi about that.

Not sure if this was helpful or not two/three sides to all situations. Approach all with a sense of humor and a grain of salt. You're the mom follow what you think is right in your heart.

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A.E.

answers from Dallas on

Hi R.,
My first son also had to have a helmet. We used the same place that you are going to, and we really liked it. The staff is very understanding, and easy to work with. Our specialist's name was Mike, and he was great! He worked really hard to make sure that the helmet was adjusted perfectly to fit my sons head. My son adjusted really quickly to the helmet, although it took me a little while longer. I had some guilt issues associated with it, I felt like I had done something wrong. We painted our helmet to look like camo, and used letter stickers to put his name across the front. That way the helmet didn't look so clinical. He only ended up wearing it for about 4 months, and now he's 3 yrs and his head looks great! I think you'll find that the folks up at cranial technologies will do a great job for you. You can contact me if you have any other questions.

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M.P.

answers from Dallas on

Hi R.,

I was told my son needed a helmet too by Cranial Technologies. They measured his and then told us the process in creating a helmet specifically for him. I was mortified when I left there. It seems cruel and unnecessary. After some thought and alot of consideration we decided against getting the helmet and I couldn't be happier. I don't know if my sons head ever lost the flat spot. They said his head was off by 4mm. Looking at 4mm on a ruler I'm a bit upset that our society is training us as parents (to train our children) that perfection is necessary. In my mom's generation there were no helmets and in my generation there were no helmets to perfect the shape of a baby's head and we all turned out just fine! What I found in my son's case (and it's been 3 yrs) is that when his hair grew in around his head you can't tell whether it's flat or not. And who really has the perfect body? I have one hand that is slightly larger than the other, friends with one foot slightly larger than the other, and every woman I know has one boob bigger than the other. I think the helmets are a commercial hype to scare people into spending money unnecessarily. No one doctor has said the shape of a childs head is going to affect them developmentally. Why put your baby through that kind of traumatizing therapy. One last point I noticed is that when we left Cranial Technologies, telling them we would think about it...they called more than once to find out if we were going to use their services. Much like car dealership, I found them to be hard sellers trying convince us through nice "fear" tactics that a helmet was necessary. As you can tell, I am totally against helmets for babies! My advice to you is to research it and go with your gut. I feel so bad every time I see a baby with a helmet. Babies are too helpless to be subjected to the rigors of costmetic beautification so early in their lives!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

Though the helmets (DOC Bands) are expensive (we paid for it ourselves because our insurance wouldn't cover it), they're worth it. My daughter (born March 2008) wore one from this same company, same location for a few months starting when she was 8.5 months old. I'm so glad we did it. Let me know if you have other questions -- I'm happy to help!

Oh - and they no longer do the old casting process. They measure your baby's head using a 3-D digital camera system. Quick & painless!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I've been there myself.....just know you're not alone. My son wore a helmet from 6 months - 10 months and it never bothered him one bit. Now, his head looks great!!! I wanted to give you a support website that I found and it was a God send. It's other moms going through the same thing along with Mom's who's already gone through it that give advise and things that helped them.

It's: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AllAboutPlagiocephaly/

Check it out, like I said, I got so much good information and tips I don't know what I would have done without them. Good Luck & God Bless!!! The time he's in it will fly by, I promise.

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C.M.

answers from Dallas on

My almost 4 yr old son had a DOC band from CT when he was 9 mo. old until he was almost a year. Our tech. was Jennifer. Everybody at the office was great and we are very pleased with the results. The casting process and him wearing it 23 hrs a day was much easier than I expected it to be. We were self-pay and even though it was expensive we think it was worth it. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to try to answer them.

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D.B.

answers from Dallas on

Our daughter wore a helmet from 14-18 months old, which is too old to see major results. However, we did see minor improvements. The back of her head was flattened from too much crib time at her orphanage. We went to Cranial Technologies at 11 months and they did not recommend a helmet because they didn't think we would see enough results and they said her hair would cover the back of her head anyway. At the insistence of our pediatrician, we got a second opinion and ended up using Star Cranial Technologies in Dallas. They used a laser scanner to assess the shape of her head and her results were strong enough evidence that our insurance company covered the helmet under durable medical equipment. We have 2 friends whose children had helmets at an earlier age and they both had very good results. I've also talked to a number of parents in the waiting room who were very pleased with the results their children had experienced. Cranial Technologies has a very good reputation but I would check on the experience of the orthotist who is working with your child on an ongoing basis.

Our daughter had so much hair on her head that she sweat quite a bit. We had to keep the house very cool so she didn't develop a rash on the sides of her head and forehead where the helmet fits snugly. We washed her hair every morning and let it dry before putting the helmet back on. She also had sweat glands on the lower back of her head that became blocked so they had to loosen the fit of the helmet. We had frequent visits and the orthotist always did whatever was necessary to help my daughter, even if she had to adjust her schedule for unexpected appointments.

We called the helmet her "pretty little hat" and she loved wearing it! At first, we put her in bed with us because she was a little disoriented when she woke up at night and had it on. That way we could immediately comfort her and she soon adjusted. Also, there are so many other moms, dads, and grandparents out there who have had kids and grandkids go thru this. Everyone is so gracious, curious and likes to tell their own stories. People would smile at my daughter and she would break into a big grin and a giggle. It was really cute and made the process so much easier.

In retrospect, would I do it again? I don't know. I guess I would. I kept thinking, what will she say when she's 16 years old? Thank you or why didn't you? That's what made the decision easier for us.

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M.T.

answers from Dallas on

We went to Cranial Technologies as well for our son who is now 15 months. They tried to tell us it was absolutely necessary at our 1st appointment. We worked very h*** o* tummy time and turning him to not sleep on the same side and it corrected itself to where we felt we did not need the helmet. We ended up having 3 appts where they kept measuring his head. We felt like were back and forth in the necessity of our son needing a helmet or not, but we thought with just a 2mm difference it was not necessary. Not everyone's head is the perfect round shape. I believe there are some children who can benefit from a helmet, but with our son we felt the spot was so minimal it was not necessary. And, it was improving with every appointment from turning him. And, now his head looks perfect to us and he is happier than ever! I would get another opinion as I believe they try to get a helmet on most of the babies that walk in the door. Good luck! :)

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T.S.

answers from Dallas on

Let me know what you find out. We had the same advice also for our 2 month old.

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