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Behaviour/development

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Flat head syndrome/cranial bands

80 replies

Taffy01 · 07/03/2009 06:52

My son has been diagnosed with Torticollis which is preventing him turning his head to one side, consequently he always sleeps on the same side so is developing a flat side of head - everyone says this will right itself, but it is beginning to show on his face, one side of his forehead seems to stick out a bit... anyway, I have read about these cranial helments to help correct head shape - has anyone experienced similar symptoms and Im keen to hear anyones views/experiences on these helmets.....

OP posts:
Rollmops · 10/03/2009 07:08

We also did the special stretching exercises as recommended. Nada.
I was frantic with worry, bought every 'gadget'
ever invented (and sold at revolting prices to worried parents ), did enough research to start a dissertation so the decision to go with the helmet wasn't taken lightly.
I agree with everyone above, there was absolutely no pressure to go ahead with the therapy from the consultants (cranial surgeons). They actually dissuaded us from getting the helmet for our DT2 as well as according to them, his plagio was very mild and would correct itself with time

rebee · 12/03/2009 21:51

I was very concerned for my son as he deveoped a very obvious flattened area on his head by 6weeks.

GP recommened twisting a muslin square into a doughnut shape for him to sleep on. Worked wonders. I continued to use it as a prevention for an further flattening but removed it at 6months as he went into his own room an would wriggle around in the morning when he woke. He is now 7 months with a beautiful head shape

PureAsTheColdDrivenSnow · 18/02/2010 21:53

yes, I know this is an old thread but felt I had to answer seeker (was looking for a plagio thread for another thread)

seeker - you don't see kids with flat heads at primary because it took a long time for the back to sleep campaign to sink in. This is, in part, a major contributor to plagio/brachiocephaly

philippah · 05/10/2010 11:03

Starting with repositioning at 4months old, we then moved on to 4 specialists for 5 months all in close proximity (Wimbledon) who treat each aspect/element of the problem and liaise/work with one another:

MASSAGE to help shape - RATNA at The Vitality Centre had success by using massage directly on the head. www.vitality-centre.com

PHYSIO to work out what in the body is causing your baby to keep sleep on one side - Kerry and Lisa at Therapy 4 Kids are great www.therapy4kids.co.uk/

OESTEOPATH to help get rid of any tensions/restrictions of the body. www.fpo.org.uk/ Foundation for Pediatric Oesteopath in Clerkenwell were great then I wanted to step up the cranial osteopath treatment and continued with Julia Finaly:www.osteopathuk.com/

HELMET - Technology in Motion were very supportive and generous with their time. They didn't pressure us www.ossur.co.uk/clinical-services/clinics/London

My daughter was measured 94% brach and this was reduced down in 3 months to 88%. However her asymmetry/plagiocephaly has not really changed starting at 14mm now at 12mm. At 9 1/2 months we now might still resort to a helmet to get the final 5mm down on the asymmetry although am not keen it looks like nothing else will change the asymmetry. Dr Bletcher did say the side flat spot can't be remedied without a helmet.

usedallmyideas · 05/10/2010 19:09

I have not had time to read all of this thread but my son is now 5yo and was diagnosed with torticollis and plagiocephally at about 6 months. I found the tort lump when I had him sitting on my knee one evening and being a paranoid mum immediately thought he had cancer!!! The lump was quite big and I don't know how we hadn't noticed it sooner. His head was visibly flat and sort of slightly pointed at the back.

He was referred to a paediatric physio by our GP and we were shown the exercises to do (as mentioned by others earlier in this thread). We were also told about repositioning but as he was a bit of a wriggler, it didn't matter what we did, he would always go back to the comfortable (and wrong!) position. When we asked about treatment for the plagio, we were told that some parents opted to buy a helmet, but at that time they were not available on the NHS (I don't know if that's still the case).

We did some searching on the internet and made the decision to get a helmet from here. They were very helpful and as we went for almost a year, I think we got our moneys worth! He started wearing his helmet at about 8 months.

Granted, the problem may well have righted itself on its own, but we'll never know and on the grounds that a lot of boys have short haircuts (and it would have been noticeable if it hadn't fixed itself) we opted to fork out the money!

We did get a few funny looks, but not many and I just stared straight back at people! And anybody who asked about it, I was more than happy to talk to them. It's also surprising how many children you notice wearing the helmet once your child is.

They come in pretty colours and patterns so it doesn't look like the tot is wearing a hockey helmet or something!

Good luck with your decision and I hope it works out whatever you do Smile

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