Safety helmet

[badkitty]

Would be interested to hear if anyone has had a safety helmet for their DC - OT is apparently going to talk to us about it next time we have a visit. Portage has recommended it as DS's forehead is constantly covered in bruises. I have never seen any kids with them before so just interested if others have used them and the reactions you get.

I managed to buy a helmet from a NT baby catalogue but it is too big and slips off or over his eyes all the time so not much good! So am interested to find out about NHS helmets - do they make them to size and are they completely hideous? I will be delighted if he gets one as it will mean I can let him crawl without constantly hovering over him but would be nice if it was comfortable for him and also not too awful looking!

Hey Badkitty

I know lots of littlies with helmets (given for epilepsy amongst other things) and I don't think they are hideous at all.
BUT, I have worked in the industry forever now, so may well be desensitized!

They generally give a stock helmet just to fit a head circ (unless there are very specific requirements) which are made of foam and are washable. Not saying that's what you'll get, but I imagine it'll be something similar.

There's a pic here on page 28.

I think they are cute
x

I have bought a thudguard (NT), but not had the chance to use it as DGS not walking yet. It does fit though and looks fairly sturdy. Not a full helmet as used in epilepsy but very lightweight. Managed to get it for 1/4 of the price on fledglings, but think they are sold out now.

Hi everyone,

Thudguard is the one I bought - he looks v cute in it with the little ears (I might add a pic to my profile if can get it to load up) but his head is too small or too much of a funny shape for it even though I have shortened the elastic, so it slips. At least the ones in the catalogue come in different sizes.

He needs one because his balance and awareness of where his body is are rubbish and he has no safety awareness at all (particularly if cross when he flings his head around in a tantrum) so his poor old head gets banged all the time - however much you try you can't always be quick enough to stop him. It is quite fortunate that portage, physio etc have all seen him in action and know what he is like otherwise we might have social services round asking about all his bruises!

We have one. BUt ds1 won't wear it. The best we can do is tell him he'll have to wear it when he starts bashing himself.

I'm hoping DGSs poor hand eye coordination will stop him taking it off when the time comes! He can pull sun hats off easily though! When they've had a brain injury at birth the last thing we want is for him to end up in A&E! When DGS has a tantrum he just goes rigid and screams (no head banging!) Thudguard dead cute though