What's with the helmet?
Archer has been in his DOC-Band helmet for 8 weeks now, and weβve been asked every question under the sun. A few people know what itβs for, a few people are inquisitive, and a few give him a sympathetic look. The fun part of it all is that we get to educate people and promote more acceptance of the helmets.
A DOC-Band helmet is a cranial orthotic device used to treat plagiocephaly, or the dreaded βflat spotβ. There are a few producers of this helmet, each a bit different, but they all do the same job. The objective of these devices is to help an infant's cranial plates grow equally and symmetrically, rounding the head. The helmet is super light-weight, cushioned with foam interior, and is custom made to perfectly fit the infantβs head shape. A physical therapist will then work with you and your infant to routinely adjust the helmet, shaving away the interior as needed to allow for growth in the desired areas. The soft cranial bone plates of an infantβs head do not harden until the age of 2 years old, giving plenty of time to correct any abnormal shaping.
The latest studies show that nearly half of children develop plagiocephaly during infancy. The study also shows that Β½ of those children would benefit from a cranial orthotic, and that ΒΌ need immediate correction. So, out of 10 babies, 5 would benefit, and 2 absolutely should have it. We knew our little guyβs head wasnβt exactly round, but we did not know the medical issues that could arise from not correcting it.
The helmet is for more than shaping, it helps prevent future medical issues associated with plagiocephaly. The PT explained to use that as Archerβs brain grows, it will only grow in the space itβs allotted. This means that if his head shape is not corrected his brain may not develop equally, which may then cause deficiencies. As parents, your number 1 job is to promote the safety and development of your child. Part of this is to do what is best for them, even if it makes you uncomfortable. I say this because some people have shared judgmental looks with us, thinking that something is βwrongβ with Archer. We donβt like it, but it is what's best for him, and that's all that matters to us.
The reality is that the helmet sucksβ¦. We have both been whacked with it when he swings his head around, he is getting a false sense of security since it cushions impact to his head, and most of all...it stinks something horrible. We clean it every day, but he has it on for 23 straight hours, giving it plenty of time to soak up all his sweat. He grabs for it when we take it off at dinner time. He has grown to like it, it is part of his normal day now. It isnβt going to be an easy adjustment when we take it off for good in 2 weeks. Mainly because as I said, he has developed a false sense of security with it. He stands up and falls over, the helmet softens the blow. He smacks his head on his crib bars, the helmet protects him. He uses it as leverage sometimes to move aroundβ¦β¦
In all, we were surprised by the amount of information we learned in the process of having him diagnosed and fitted. These bands have been around for a while now, but it seems that new parents are still under the thought that βtheir head will round out on its ownβ. They may, but they also may not. Why chance something that you can easily fix? βWhy arenβt there a bunch of flat-head adults if this is so important?β Well, your parents probably put you down on your belly in your crib when they brought you home from the hospital, something that has changed over the past 30 years. They also put you in bouncers and play stands, keeping you off your head. New studies show that until 3 months of age, most babies spend β of their life on their back in some way or another.
#Our little guy took a few hours to get used to his helmet, and now itβs growing to be a part of him. The fun part is that you can paint them, decal them, and design them any way you want. Arch has been rocking the baseball stitching, with both Chicago teams logos (itβs apparently only fair).
If youβve got a little one, or are expecting, just keep this in mindβ¦
You swore to do the absolute best for your child, no matter what.
