I decided to write a post about the helmet that Eli is getting since i know my friends and family will have a lot of questions, hopefully this will help answer some of them.
A few months ago we noticed Eli tilted his head to one side a little bit more than the other, and his doctor determined that it was torticollis or just a stiff neck. It's not really a big deal but we went ahead with physical therapy, and exercises at home just to strengthen his neck up. The torticollis was also causing him to sleep with his head more on one side than the other and that kind of started to make his head flat because babies heads are still growing so fast and so much. All of this was probably caused by such a rough delivery but the awesome thing is that it is pretty easily correctable.
As far as the torticollis goes, he has been in physical therapy for a few months now and is doing great!!! He is right on track for his "milestones" like rolling over, transferring objects between both hands and all kinds of new things! He doesn't hold his head to one side anymore and can look from side to side much easier. He has improved so much!
His head has evened out a lot too because we have been re positioning him at bed time and nap time so he gets time with his head on the other side. It is still pretty flat in the back though, so with some consultations we have decided to go a head and get Eli a helmet. I know that probably sounds really scary, at least it did to me, but it's really not so bad.
The helmet is really thin and light weight and will help round out his little head so it doesn't look so weird. Not that my baby's head looks weird!!!!! But helping his head shape more roundly will help him with the torticollis too and i know he will thank us for it later when his head isn't flat in the back :) There is nothing developmentally wrong with Eli, the helmet is really just to make his head shape more like everyone else and to help him have a strong neck.
We didn't necessarily have to get him the helmet, but the more we talked to our physical therapists and family about it the more we knew it was the right choice for him. It was finally approved by our insurance so we get to have him fitted for it this Friday morning, the 28th and it should come in the next Friday on the 4th. I think we even get to pick a cute little design to go on it. :) I wonder if they will have owls or guitars......?
It is still a little scary to me, but i think that is just because i'm a mommy and i'm programmed to worry about my little guy. I do not look forward to all of the people who will make rude comments and ask me stupid questions, but i will get over it. Or rather God will give me patience to deal with it.
If you have any questions feel free to ask! I am thinking of blogging about his his progress with pictures but i'm not sure yet if i feel like that will embarrass him later in life or something. What do you think? Would you show his progress with pictures? Also i found a link to a good explanation about torticollis and helmets (because i am not a professional and can't explain it all) so check it out too.
FAQ tortecollis/ plagiocephaly
