need abit more 'flat head' info?

Question

i have had alot of response about asking about flat head and i appreciate it. could someone please help me abit more though. my son is 6 months old, is this 2 old to have a helmet? should i go to my doctor or health visitor? is there a charge as im a single mom on benefits? and how long does the helmet have to be on him and will it hurt him? i appreciate all your help. xxx

Answer 1

I have been a child care provider for 20 years. One of my children I cared for wore a helmet for a flat head. He was about 10 months old when he began wearing his, so 6 months old is not too old and may even be too young. Most babies have some degree of a flat head because they lay on their backs and have a preferred way to lay their heads while sleeping. Also, during waking hours are often laying on their backs on the floor or are in a slight reclining position in an infant seat, swing, or playpen. About 6 months, many babies are able to roll over on their own and can put themselves into different sleeping positions so their flat heads begin to regain shape on their own. They also begin to sit-up more on their own or supported with pillows. So, about 6 months, many babies do not spend as much of their time with their head pressed up against something. The little boy I took care of was heavy and had a large head so he was not able to roll over on his own very well nor did he have good head support. The flat spot on his head was extremely pronounced. He wore his helmet 23 hours a day and it did not bother him at all. He never fussed with it. I am sorry that I don't remember exactly how long he wore his, but I think it may have been for 2-3 months. The helmet does not hurt. I am not familiar with how a health visitor works. If he/she comes to your home on a regular basis then I would check with them first, but it will probably be your baby's pediatrician who will prescribe the helmet and monitor the progress. Right now I have a little boy I am caring for who will be 1 on March 3. He still has some remnants of a flat head, but is regaining shape on it's own. He was very late in developing his ability to roll over and even now always stays on his back lying on the left side of his head when he sleeps. Help your son practice sitting up by supporting him with pillows while sitting on the floor. His flat head may begin to resolve itself on it's own. I think having to wear a helmet is rather uncommon as I only know one other child besides my daycare child who had to wear a helmet.

Answer 2

I'm not sure if 6 months is too old, but my sister-law's baby had to wear a helmet and he had to wear it 23 hours a day. Also, I'm not sure how much it is, it may be expensive and I'm not convinced that you will be able to get this with your benefits because I think they don't consider it necessary, I can't say for sure though but I know in my state that is pretty much how it is. Good Luck!

Answer 3

he is NOT to old to have the helmet. He is at a good age. After 1 year the chances of it working are slim. My sister went to her regular doctor and they referred her to a specialist. My sister and her hubby both work and they had to pay for it. It cost them about 1500 $ but being a single mom on benefits.. I doubt you will have to pay that. My nephew had his for about 6 weeks and it didn't hurt him. Just made his head sweaty and smelly sometimes. But now his head is perfect. I didn't answer your first question about it but I hope I helped with this one. Good luck

Answer 4

go see your health visitor and ask her she will tell you everything you want to know