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02-2-2009 - Michael Might Need A Head Helmet

My mood while writing this blog: Sad, Depressed, Mad

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We went to the pediatrican on Saturday January 31 2009 and this pediatrician that we never had before said the Michael has a very flat head. We'll Michael and I never knew that we had to turn Michaels head everytime he slept, we'll since Michael always sleeps on his left side his head is extremeley flat on the left side it kinda looks like someone smooshed his head with a flat iron. She told us that if his head gets more flat he would have to wear a helmet to straighen out his poor flat head. But my husband and I read that they are supossed to wear this helmet at birth to 9 months. He's already past that and they said that it might not work!!! I am so depressed and sadded about this. No one Fuc*** told us about this. We never knew that we had to turn his head evertime he sleeps. I hope he's gonna be ok and I hope the Doctors can solve this. My Husband and I are very saddened about this and I hope you can keep us in your prayers cause God knows we need them. He has to go to Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh on Wednesday February 4th @ 9:00 am. He is getting his head measured and checked out out by a Pediatric Neurosurgeon. I cannoot believe that this all happens by not rotating his head when he sleeps. They also basically told us that my son is RETARTED cause He is not WALKING or CRAWLING yet! He Might also go see a Specialist of CHildren who are not CRAWLING! WTF! I can't Eat, Sleep, Or basically Shit cause all of this. What If I do have a Retarted Son? Then What? All of this is going through my Mind right now and I can't stop crying!!!! Why God why Did this happen to my son? Why!!!!! Thank You To All My Lady Friends Who Are Taking The Time TO Read This. It Means Alot To Us. Please Keep Us In Your Prayers:) Michelle and Michael S.

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17 Comments on Michael Might Need A Head Helmet


jennabug - Friday, 6 Feb
Hey there! I'm sure everything will be ok with Micheal, Ava had a little flat spot on the back of her head and the doctor never even mentioned it! And she is perfect! It rounded out just fine! I have never even heard of babies needing helmets for a flat spot...just keep turning his head every few hours or at least every day and I'm sure he'll be just fine in no time. LMK how everything goes.

mrsengel - Friday, 6 Feb
i'm very sorry to hear about this situation. you and your family are in my prayers. how did everything go on wed. at the appt.? your love for your son will help you through this difficult time. if you need anything, please let me know. God bless

Nmp - Thursday, 5 Feb
Wait!!!!! These Dr's seem to be way overacting! He's still a baby and they develop at all different rates. And lots of babies have flat heads. I don;t know why they are sending you for so much more analyzing! I know it;s hard but relax... your baby is fine! LEt me know what they said on Wednesday.

LOViNMYKiDZ10 - Wednesday, 4 Feb
AWW SWEETIE I KNO ITS EARISER SAID THAN DONE BUT EVERYTHIGN WILL B OK IM SURE HIS HEAD IS NOT THAT BAD NO MATTER WAT HES GORGEOUS AND A VERY HANDSOME BABY!! AND ABOUT THE CRAWLING THING ALOT OF BABYS ARE DIFFERENT SO THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL U THAT UR SON IS RETADED OR CAN BE RETADERED BUT TO HELP HIM SWEETIE BUT HIM ON HIS BELLIE FOR A WHILE AT BIGHT AND SUMTIMES BUT HIM ON ALL FOURS AND ENCOURAGE THIM TO CRAWL IN A MATTER OF TIME HE WILL D OIT EVERY BABY IS DIFFERNT

dapie898 - Tuesday, 3 Feb
hes only 8 months...i dont think he is behind at all i cant believe your dr said that to you id find a new dr

Chrisssyp - Tuesday, 3 Feb
I am taken back by all of this...first off, please try to take a breath and relax. Obviously you and your hubby look at Michael everyday and see a beautiful little boy! After the doc told you about the flat head that is probably all you see now. Don't let it make you upset, if you didn't notice it before the doc appt then does it really look that bad? I totally disagree on the doc thnking that Michael is behind in any milestones. Isn't he only 9 months old? So what if he isn't crawling or walking yet! Some babies never crawl and go straight to walking! My daughter is 8 months and doesn't crawl...she only rolls EVERYWHERE! She is not even close to pulling herself up to stand. I am not worried a bit about it. Sometimes she still falls back when sitting and she has no teeth. I am not worried...every baby is different and when she is ready she will do these things and so will Michael! Your a great mom and dad! Keep your head up!

nmck - Tuesday, 3 Feb
Hey, i know it is easier said than done, but don't worry. This doctor may not have a very good bedside manner and doesn't realize he or she is scaring the crap out of you. There are a lot of things you can do. You are getting him checked out for the helmet, good for you. Also, if you begin to worry that he is crawling too late, etc look into Early Intervention services in your area. My Michael is in EI because he was a preemie and gets physical therapy from a developmental therapist monthly. if your Michael comes up with a delay in skills after an evaluation you will qualify for services too, and they are paid for by the county. Now that I have said all of that, my sister's son was a super late crawler and walker and he is now almost 3 and is perfectly smart, capable, and very physical. BUT, if you are worried about a delay, keep being proactive!! You are doing the right things, don't worry!!

eminsana - Tuesday, 3 Feb
I am sorry to hear. I bet everything will work out great. Dont stress about it! Be happy you have your baby boy and everything will work out, i promise.

I read ur comment about my belly. It sucks! I dont know why it keeps getting larger and larger. Hopefully my doctor decides to induce me early! I still have 3 more weeks to go! Ugh..

mommyof2in10 - Monday, 2 Feb
I'm so sorry! That must be tough. I have read some of the other comments people have posted in response to your blog and wholeheartedly agree with those who said not to worry about the crawling or walking. 9 months and not crawling is NOT considered abnormal. Some babies actually never crawl and go straight to walking. My niece started crwling when she was 11 months old and started walking 3 weeks later. Some babies just have no interest in it. Everything that I have read about crawling suggests that there should not be cause for concern unless baby is over one year old. AND if my dr told me that my son was retarded because he wasn't crawling by 9 months I would be FURIOUS! There is alot more that goes into diagnosing a child with retardation. The dr would need to look at all of the "milestones" together. Then they would compare the age at which those milestones were met to other children. If one or two are late then it's usually not a big deal. When infants are behind on several or most milestones then doctors generally look into this. I'm not a doctor but I am in school studying developmental psychology and milestones are one of the topics we cover thoroughly. I would definitely get a second opinion! I hope this info helps you at least a little bit. If you need to talk I am here!!!

nikkiekck - Monday, 2 Feb
ohh, and her head did change to "normal" and started walking abt 2 months after we got the shoe supports,i will be praying for you all. you can get through this!

nikkiekck - Monday, 2 Feb
what a blow huh! ive been there a few times. let me share what happened to me. My first wasnt hitting her milestones in the right times and also had a flat spot on back of her head. so started rotating her head when i saw her laying on it. she didnt walk till she was over a year. some kids just take their own sweet time.we got her some shoe inserts to strengthen her ankles at the advice of our headstart cordinator and then there was no slowing her down!lol! I would get a second opinion if makes you feel beter and co-operate with doc's but keep in mind almost always these things seem horrible at the time but GOD finds a way to work them out. Also if your not already linked to parents as teachers or early headstart to do that because they are soo helpful and have great resources for new parents! hope this helps you out! good luck!!

sls shannon - Monday, 2 Feb
oh and my daughter didnt crawl till she was 11 months old, and walk till se was 19months old

sls shannon - Monday, 2 Feb
I would just like to comment that i went through this with my daughter.. Her right side of her head was completely flat.. no one told us either, and with the new sids campaign.. "back to sleep" right.. i know how sad, and frusteratig this is.. i felt so guilty when this happened to my daughter, like it was all my fault.. we went to see many different doctors and surgeons.. their advice was that since it didnt affect her facial symmetry, maybe just her one ear was out by a milimeter, that they said the helmet was not neccessary.. they said her head would just sort of "pop" out on its own.. some doctors said it would some said it wouldnt.. BUT GUESS WHAT??? it did!!!not 100% but enough where you cant really tell, and she is still beautiful.. dont get sown.. this is a long process of worrying, but before you know it.. it'll be over.. but if they recommend the helmet.. go for it!!!!!!! and no he doesnt have to be before 9 months.. there heads are still soft until 18months.. but just softer before 9 months.. any improvement thats possible still,, is an improvemnt.. dont stress.. i know what your going through.. if you have any questions i might be able to help.. my daughter had what you call posistional plagiocephaly and you wouldnt know it now.. after a year, having her head put pressure on the other side helped big time.. im sorry this is happening to you.. but it'll improve no matter what
take care!!
shannon

Christine G - Monday, 2 Feb
Aww Michelle, I'm so sorry. I'm here for support if you need any. I'll tell you something, whatever happends to Michael, he is still your son and the love you have for him I know will not change. I hope that things go well for you at the hospital. My doctor gave me a book about pregnancy and after birth. It does meantion it in it, that would be the only way that I would have known though. It might be too early for him to be diagnosed with anything. He still has time to catch up. I'll be praying for you and little Michael.

STCT - Monday, 2 Feb
We'll be thinking you and the family. I hear this is more and more common these days. Did they say he has torticollis? For them to say he could be retarded is BS. He's nine months. I know a lot of babies that don't even walk until the are over a year. Let me know if you need someone to bent to. I'll be glad to listen. I know it's hard but, try to eat a good meal and get some sleep... remember to be strong for your handsome little man. XOXO


gr8scottswife - Monday, 2 Feb
Yes. That's one of the things no one tells you. I didn't know about giving them tummy time either until I read it somewhere. It really grieves me that your pediatrician did not notice his head at each of his check ups. Pediatricians should instruct new mothers about certain things, like flat heads and many other such things, upon the first visit. I am aghast that your pediatrician did not notice his head because they are supposed to measure the head at each appointment. Actually, I'm not surprised. My daughter's pediatrician did not notice that one of her patients was autistic until the child was two years old. She had been seeing this child since he was two weeks old. They are supposed to look for certain milestone accomplishments. If the child cannot, for instance, hold his head up by four months or follow a finger, that should ring a bell to say to any pediatrician that something is wrong. I guess pediatricians have too many patients to look after than to take time to fully conduct tests and observations for each child. I'm really sorry about all that you are going through. I don't know if this means much to you, but I'm going to pray for your son.

thebigtomato - Monday, 2 Feb
There's a girl in my month, Rachel918, whose daughter wears a helmet for flat head and hopefully will not have to wear it anymore soon. She would probably be a good reference for info if you have questions because her daughter, Alexa, has been wearing a helmet for a while now. Also, I wouldn't worry too much that Michael isn't crawling or walking. It's hard not to, I know, but just because he is physically behind developmentally does not mean he's mentally behind. There's another lady in my month whose son is in daycare and his daycare class is ages 5-10 months. She said only ONE of the babies is crawling and it's a 6, almost 7 month old little girl. The 5 month old little girl is rocking on hands and knees. NONE of the other babies are even up and rocking yet, including the 9 and 10 month babies. Some babies just do things a little later than others. He'll get it!