Plagiocephaly and helmets. Necessary?

[Anonymous]

To the people saying 4 months is too late - it is not. Many don't start until then and even after that, if a second helmet is needed due to baby outgrowing it, it's still effective. I have experience with this

[Anonymous]

How could you not try to correct this issue? Just be happy this is only a soft tissue problem and not true craniosynostosis.

[Anonymous]

Whether your child’s issue is truly “severe” or just marketing, I can’t say. But a 2014 study showed helmets are no more effective than no treatment at all for moderate and mild cases. And helmets aren’t necessarily going to fix some of the problems people have cited on here as adults, but PT might.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whether your child’s issue is truly “severe” or just marketing, I can’t say. But a 2014 study showed helmets are no more effective than no treatment at all for moderate and mild cases. And helmets aren’t necessarily going to fix some of the problems people have cited on here as adults, but PT might.

Yes, the helmets help with cosmetic shape. PT actually addresses the underlying mechanics. Dollars to donuts kids who need helmets also have serious one-sided preference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the people saying 4 months is too late - it is not. Many don't start until then and even after that, if a second helmet is needed due to baby outgrowing it, it's still effective. I have experience with this

We started the helmet at 8 months, it was on longer than it would have been if we started earlier, but it worked. We also got 2x week physical therapy to treat the underlying issue, torticollis. People who get helmets without PT are not treating the problem. OP, get your child evaluated - for kids under 5, it is frequently free or reduced price through the government for all families, not just those in need.

[Anonymous]

We did the helmet for plagiocephaly and would recommend it to others, especially at 4 months. Our child was 5 months, and ended up only being in the helmet for 5 weeks because we started so early. Our insurance also denied the claim at first - we were able to initially pay out of pocket, but had the agency dispute with our insurance, and they eventually covered the costs in full. But as others have said, if you don't trust the recommendation, get a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Fwiw, I had this issue as a baby, it was not addressed, and I've had migraines and muscle issues in my neck/shoulders for most of my adult life.

Do helmets address the muscle issue or just the cosmetic issue?

I think if the issue is a strong preference for one side, then PT is going to be more important than the helmet, although they probably work best in tandem.

[Anonymous]

Do it. Honestly there is no reason not to and I am someone who tends to think companies pry on parents' fear all the time today. But with an issue like head shape, it is clear cut. You clearly see the issue (not some made up issue) and it's clear as day how the helmet will help. One of my kids had the helmet around 4 months. It helped a lot. No issues with comfort. Looked really cute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do it. Honestly there is no reason not to and I am someone who tends to think companies pry on parents' fear all the time today. But with an issue like head shape, it is clear cut. You clearly see the issue (not some made up issue) and it's clear as day how the helmet will help. One of my kids had the helmet around 4 months. It helped a lot. No issues with comfort. Looked really cute.

The reason not to do it is the majority of shape issues resolve on their own without spending thousands of dollars and putting the kid under unnecessary discomfort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a couple things that are true about plagiocephaly and helmets in the U.S. First, the U.S. is the only country I know of where babies are routinely advised to wear corrective helmets. Second is that the predatory vibe you picked up on is correct - the helmet industry is interested in selling helmets, and the medical professionals who work there are not highly medically trained. As an analogy, they are more like drug reps than pharmacists.

However, neither of these statements means that a helmet isn’t a good therapy in your case. To get a better perspective, I would ask to be referred to a PT who is not associated with a helmet company. PT is the first line for plagiocephaly in the uk and Europe.

Yes!! I second the PT. I asked a pediatrician friend after being referred by our ped to the vendor.

We did PT and I asked the PT's opinion and she did not think it was needed. We dealt with the torticolis that was exacerbating the problem instead. My kid is now 8 and I don't notice any flat head or side preference.

[Anonymous]

Are you short of cash?

[Anonymous]

My son was born with a flat head and it only got worse, finally around 10 months a NP took it seriously and referred us to Cranial Tech. I do see how it can seem sales-ey, but they actually offered it to us free. They must have known I was poor, Idk. Would have been 3k otherwise.

He had it for almost 3 months, it was kind of too late at that point to make a large difference, but it put him from severe to moderate, so I was happy enough with it. Be thankful youre finding out at 4 months! Much easier to fix early on. My son is 7 now and its still noticeable when I wash his hair, but luckily its curly and thick so hard to tell when not wet.

[Anonymous]

It does work

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a couple things that are true about plagiocephaly and helmets in the U.S. First, the U.S. is the only country I know of where babies are routinely advised to wear corrective helmets. Second is that the predatory vibe you picked up on is correct - the helmet industry is interested in selling helmets, and the medical professionals who work there are not highly medically trained. As an analogy, they are more like drug reps than pharmacists.

However, neither of these statements means that a helmet isn’t a good therapy in your case. To get a better perspective, I would ask to be referred to a PT who is not associated with a helmet company. PT is the first line for plagiocephaly in the uk and Europe. “

Actually the “sales people” are actually more that likely PT or OTs themselves. I was pleasantly surprised to learn this. They aren’t random people with no training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do it. Honestly there is no reason not to and I am someone who tends to think companies pry on parents' fear all the time today. But with an issue like head shape, it is clear cut. You clearly see the issue (not some made up issue) and it's clear as day how the helmet will help. One of my kids had the helmet around 4 months. It helped a lot. No issues with comfort. Looked really cute.

The reason not to do it is the majority of shape issues resolve on their own without spending thousands of dollars and putting the kid under unnecessary discomfort.

I thought insurance covered it? I seem to remember mine did. And it did not seem uncomfortable at all. I was concerned about this but baby didn't seem to notice it.