I always thought I overreacted to "therapy" things. I forget that there is a very wide range of normal and feel like if my kid isn't doing something before or right at average then something is wrong. Sharing an office and working so closely with PTs and OTs I learned a lot of their tricks.
So, it wouldn't surprise many people that I arrive at check ups with a very long list of questions/concerns for the pediatrician. Now, I've learned 2.5 years into Mommy world that pediatricians are SO different and what mine says may be totally opposite of my best friend. However, Caleb and I both agree that our pediatrician is really great for us because he is very laid back which is a good balance to my uptightness--my kids should be super healthy and on target or I'm doing something wrong mentality (which the Lord is teaching me a lot about by the way..). I remember asking at all of Carter's early check ups about head shape thinking he had a flat head and my pedi saying it's fine. So, again, I think Isaac's head is a little flat and expect the "it's fine" answer and he comes back with....yeah, it is pretty flat. I would recommend getting it checked out.
Enter mama guilt. Is Isaac's head flat because of letting him sleep in the swing all the time? Was I sacrificing my comfort for his--because I got all that good sleep, this poor baby is going to be stuck in a helmet 23 hours a day for who knows how long? Oh, it was bad. I was sick at my stomach for about 2 weeks and didn't realize it at the time, but looking back--my stomach is always affected by stress. I should know better. I did SO much tummy time. He is STRONG. He is symmetrical. His neck muscles are not tight at all. He really just has a flat head! Is it because of swing sleeping? I'll never know...it could definitely play a factor, but there are many other factors as well. I have to remind myself that if I even thought swing sleeping would cause a flat head and possibility for needing a helmet, I would have nipped it in the bud. Honestly, I was only hesitant to move him into his crib because I thought we were creating a sleeping monster that could only sleep when being swung like a pendulum. His head shape never even occurred to me until the pedi mentioned it at his 4 month appt.
Emotionally, I was feeling super guilty but had to put emotions aside and look at numbers. Long story short, we got numbers. His brachycephaly (flatness) was in the moderate range--but in closer to severe than mild moderate range. I probably researched over 10 hours on the internet, finding research studies (which unfortunately there are minimal long term studies because of back to sleep really starting in 98) , and emailing pictures of Isaac's head and reports to literally 6 different pediatric PTs to get their opinons. I prayed and prayed for wisdom. I talked to multiple Moms that had gone through it and although it was unanimous "I'm so glad I did it and it really wasn't a big deal at all"--to me, it is my baby and a big deal. Insurance will cover it, so our part is minimal. Caleb could see both sides, so he suggested we see what our pediatrician thought. So, I made an appt with the pediatrician and took him the report and sweet little Isaac and one look at the report Dr. came back with "no question about it--get a helmet."
Okay. Done. 2 weeks later little man got his helmet today and I have to say he looks pretty darn cute :). My crafty friend is helping me bling it up next week. So far, it really is no big deal and he's handling it like a champ. Unfortunately, he does sweat a ton, so I'm hoping his body will adjust or we will just be spending the next couple of months indoors. Carter is pretty much oblivious of the helmet and just knows it "cost a lot of money" so he can't play with it :).
Here are some before and helmet day 1 pics:
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