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Thursday, October 06, 2011

Flat Headed Baby: Update

This morning, Caleb had a follow-up appointment with the baby-head-specialist*. 

They re-scanned his skull and examined his x-rays, along with the phsyical examination.  In short, the good news is that there is nothing medically wrong with his head.  Which was a relief.  I knew it was unlikely (the condition where bones are fusing together incorrectly is pretty rare, so the chances were in his favor), but as a mom, it's my job to worry.

On the other hand, it looks inevitable that he's headed for Helmet Town.  He's still young for helmet therapy (they wouldn't even start that until he's 6 months old), so they're going to continue to monitor it monthly, but it looks as though my attempts to re-shape his head with my good thoughts has been mostly fruitless -- and dangit, it's hard work trying to control things with my mind!  There has been some improvement in the flat spot, but the dr.** said we should be "thoroughly considering" a helmet when it's time.  Shoot.  Apparently, crossing your fingers and hoping to avoid something doesn't work!  Who knew?

The choice for a helmet is, ultimately, ours to make, but after speaking to the teachers at daycare***, it seems that, anecdotally, the helmet is dang effect in rounding out those unruly baby skulls.  And what's a few months in a helmet compared to a lifetime of a flat head?  I don't want to be blamed when he can't find a suitable hat or wear sunglasses; he'll have plenty to blame me for, I'm sure; may as well not be a slanty-head.

But, as of right now, he's young enough that it's still a wait-and-see issue.  It just looks as though we're waiting to see when he'll get his helmet assignment...in the meantime, Jerry has already mentally sketched out several "designs" for Caleb's potential helmet.  Let's just say that everything from flames to skulls/cross bones to mock-boxing-helmet designs have been tossed around.  In the end, this thing could be a work of art!

*Let me just take a moment to note something about this specialist's office: Apparently, this dude's office is THE baby-head-specialist office in Ft. Lauderdale.  Which is good because parents report a high rate of satisfaction from this doctor's approach and his results.  But, it's also kind of pretentious because it's so damn prestigious.  The office itself isn't that bad (it's location is, though: downtown), but the fellow patients' parents are a bit exhausting.  Everybody is rolling into the parking lot in their Escalades and BMWs, and they are strollering their kids into the waiting room in Peg Perego and Uppa Baby strollers.  Meanwhile, I'm just pleased that Norah let me comb her hair and that I don't have spit up (or shit up!) on me.

**We haven't actually gotten to meet with this big-wig doctor himself yet.  So far, we've just seen the P.A.  With the next visit, we have finally been granted access to the Emerald City to see Mr. Oz himself.

***I swear, the teachers at DC are just as knowledgable as pediatricians and specialists.  Simply through their vast experience with kids, they seem to have seen everything, and consulting with them is often times more valuable than any time spent with doctors.  Plus, they see our kids FAR more than the drs. ever do, so their assessment is one that I trust.

17 comments:

Crissy Rae said...

My cousin’s daughter had the same issue as Caleb when she was little. They did tummy time and tried the mind powers too and she ended up wearing the helmet for a few months and everything turned out perfectly. I think she’s four or five now and you’d never know she wore one. Helmet hair is cool anyway…

B. Kramer said...

Invest in some kick-ass stickers to make that helmet as bad-ass as helmet can be. I look forward to future posts when Caleb learns he can ram things with his head without pain. Cheers!

Carolina John said...

wow that sounds like quite the head doc!

I'm with Viper. Pimp out the helmet.

Meaghan said...

I'm not head doctor (that sounds funny), but I know a few stories like Crystal, where they had the baby doing lots and lots of tummy time, and that shortened the amount of helmet time. Good news is there's nothing medically wrong w/ him - YAY!

TNTcoach Ken said...

You mean my head could have been normal, damn my parents???? LOL, about you and Norah's appearance at the doc office.......

Debbi said...

Two of our triplet grandsons wore helmets for a few months. It did a world of good, no regrets from their parents at all. They're three now and all look fine.

And the helmets were way cool. Your attitude – what's a few months in a helmet compared to a lifetime with a flat head – is perfect.

Marlene said...

Sounds fancy! That's too bad that it looks like Caleb will need the helmet, but like you said - might as well fix it up now so there's one less thing to blame you for during the teenage years!

Unknown said...

My daughter had the flat head issue. It medically ended up not being and issue and once her hair grew you could tell at all. Maybe if a boy keeps his hair shorter it could be an issue? You all will be fine either way!

Erin said...

I know nothing about babies or flat heads except that another blog I read had to put her son in a helmet, too. You can check it out here. Just scroll back a few few pages.

James said...

Good luck with Caleb's head. My step daughter had the fused plate (craniosynostosis) but thankfully didn't need surgery or the helmet. She's 6 and if you're aware, you can still see some thickness there. We thought my 3 year old boy might have it too, but the specialist said he was borderline. The doctor was very interested because of how rare it is, yet we almost had two siblings with it.

Erin said...

I am glad/relieved it's not the cranioblahblahblah! A few months of pimped helmet head is worth it in the long run. He will be too little to even know what's going on and no teasing will stick in his memory. We will just tell him it's his 4 wheeling, motorcycling, bicycling, skate boarding helmet.

I also agree with the daycare ladies being the noncertified experts. They have been super good references for reality checks, tips, and extra "human" information.

Have a beer tonight to celebrate this being cosmetic and how lucky you are with two healthy kids (who happen to be adorable sweethearts too). :)

Lee said...

You totally need to make the helmet badass if he ends up getting one.

My cousin had a helmet for a while when he was a baby. Now he is 4 and his head is perfectly fine.

Wes said...

embarrass the kid now... your turn is coming :-)

Krissy said...

I think his helmet is going to be kick a*s I can't wait to see what your Jerry over there tricks it out with! And in the long run your son will be so thankful you and Jerry did the right thing and get his head taken care of early in life. It is tough but at least you know he doesn't have the rare issue you spoke about.

Agate Lake Girl said...

Glad it's nothing scary! A few months of helmet head versus a lifetime of Charlie Brown head? It's a no brainer! If it goes that route, I'm kind of excited to see how Jerry pimps it out. :)

Anonymous said...

If I were flat headed I would use my head as a place to set my beer.

Robin said...

You are right on about the daycare teachers--I ask them about everything and they always have some great advice!