Plagiocephaly and helmets. Necessary?

[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'd do it if you have a boy, I have seen a number of young boys with misshapen heads. It's not as noticeable on girls with long hair. Yes, I know boys can have long hair too, but they are less likely to.

[Anonymous]

I would get the helmet. Severe definitely needs addressed.

Get a second opinion if you want to know for certain. The babies I’ve seen have been really improved by helmets. I don’t know anyone who regrets it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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'd do it if you have a boy, I have seen a number of young boys with misshapen heads. It's not as noticeable on girls with long hair. Yes, I know boys can have long hair too, but they are less likely to.

Agreed. Ears too on a boy. They can easily fix misshapen ears on baby boys now with just a plastic retainer looking device.

[Anonymous]

Part of this is the boom in what my kid's PT (different issue) called "container babies" -- infants who go from the car seat bucket to the bouncy chair to the swing to the reclined high chair and back again.

Give your baby lots of opportunities to move around and not be strapped in all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Part of this is the boom in what my kid's PT (different issue) called "container babies" -- infants who go from the car seat bucket to the bouncy chair to the swing to the reclined high chair and back again.

Give your baby lots of opportunities to move around and not be strapped in all the time.

Yes but let's not blame parents gratuitously. Mine had a flat head and was a preemie - Dr said it's common bc instead of floating around inside those last weeks, they are laying flat in the bassinet. There are lots of causes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Plastic surgeons and orthodontists are also trained, but it doesn’t mean they’re not trying to sell you a service.