Putting my baby in a helmet was the toughest decision of my life
With my first baby, I shared many of the same challenges as the other worried, overtired and overwhelmed new moms in our playgroup?breastfeeding struggles, sleep regressions and battles with diaper rash. But there was always one thing none of the other parents could relate to: my son?s plagiocephaly, a.k.a. flat head syndrome.
At my son?s two-month appointment, the paediatrician found a flat spot on the left side of his skull. There wasn?t anything wrong with his brain, thankfully, but his head was misshapen. She recommended that we roll up a receiving blanket and place it on the left side of his head while he was awake in the car seat or stroller so he would be forced to look right, letting the left side ?pop out.?
I was confident we could fix the flat spot by the next appointment. My husband and I were vigilant about making sure the receiving blanket was in place at all times, but the spot on his head became flatter. At our three-month appointment, the doctor began discussing helmet therapy?called cranial orthosis?with us. Our son had a cranial deformity. I was shocked?truly in disbelief?because all I could see was a beautiful baby who was perfect in every way. Our paediatrician?s son wore a helmet as a baby, so she didn?t sugar-coat the process. ?It?s going to be tough,? she said. ?But your son might thank you for his round head later in life.?
Except I was opposed to putting a helmet on my son and immediately said no to the idea. It seemed unnecessary and cruel?we would...
-------------------------------- |
|
The Private Schools opening their Gardens with the National Garden Scheme
18-05-2024 08:00 - (
moms )