Delays because of helmet?

[Colin's Mom]

Has anyone else experienced any delays in development or changes because of the helmet? For three weeks after Colin starting wearing his helmet, he stopped "talking". The only sounds he made were cries. He was cooing and all that before and after the surgery, but stopped when the helmet started. The drs. said it was not the helmet, but a day after the national specialist came to adjust the helmet, he started talking again. He became quiet again right before we got a new helmet. Also, he is seven months, and not rolling over from his stomach (at least during the day, he can do it at night). He used to roll from his stomach after the helmet, but I think it scared him b/c he went so fast. His helmet weighs a pound (on the drs. scale) and he is not yet 20 lbs. Of course, he started sitting at 5 1/2 months and he pulls himself to standing, so most other areas are on track. Has anyone else had these, or similar experiences? Thanks!

[dannlark]

Sorry, no helmet experience here but it makes sense if his helmet isn't fitting properly that maybe it's very distracting to him when it's snug? And the weight of the helmet can also be a factor. I think once his neck gets stronger it'll be easier on him. Hope some other moms with hands on experience will chime in...

[amizzle]

Our boy started wearing his helmet at 10 weeks old. There was definitely a little adjustment at first getting used to the helmet, but it only lasted a few days maybe a week. Hopefully as Colin gets used to the helmet, and gets stronger these will fade away. Carson wore his helmet for almost a year and met every milestone just on track.

****I think I talked to your husband about surgery, been wondering about you guys, feel free to PM me sometime, would love to hear all the details****

[Abby'sMom]

I'm not sure if we've "met" here on CK yet so just in case...:welcome
Colin is an absolute cutie!


My daughter Abby had surgery at 10 weeks and went into her helmet at 12 weeks. We did not see any specific changes related to language development because of the helmet although I did express concern that she may be hearing the world around her "muffled" because of the way the sides of her helmet sat so close to her ears. They made adjustments to ensure her hearing was not being obstructed. She has been a big babbler right from the get go.

When Abby was about 4 months old we had her evaluated by early intervention "just to be sure she was on track". I was actually surprised to learn that she was delayed in several areas. There is no way to know for sure if her delays were related to her condition, the fact that she had surgery so young, or that she had to wear a helmet. It may have been a combination of all those things. The good news is that during the course of the year (while she was wearing her helmet) she did "catch up" thanks to the help of EI. Have you considered having Colin evaluated by a developmental specialist? The support we received was wonderful!

Here's what we did observe while Abby was in her helmet...

When she rolled from her belly to her back it seemed once she got half way around, the helmet and gravity "helped" roll her the rest of the way.

She seemed to struggle to roll from her back to her belly because she would roll her legs and torso but the weight of the helmet seemed to keep her head planted where it was. In time her neck muscles got stronger and it got easier for her.

She seemed to have to work harder to crawl because once she was on all fours the helmet seemed to make it harder for her to lift her head to look at the horizon. Again, she got stonger and overcame this over time but she "face planted" frequently while she was learning. We were given games to play with her to encourage her to look up while she was on all fours.

She didn't seem to have as much trouble with sitting and pulling to stand as I recall.

She was 11 months old when she came out of the helmet and it was about that time that she had her final evaluation with EI and they felt she was no longer delayed in any areas.

The last thing I noticed is that the helmet seemed to physically prevent her from tilting her head back to drink her bottle on her own so I would either have to hold it up for her or lay her down to drink. After she was out of the helmet she continued to have a problem holding her bottle by herself. She would get frustrated and cry until I laid her back. When she was 13 months old it finally "clicked" for her...it was also about this time that she took her first solo steps. She didn't start "really" walking until she was 14 months.

I hope this helps with some of your questions. Every child and every case can be so different. I guess my main point is that I don't think the helmet hinders development enough to outway it's amazing benefits but it certainly can play a roll in developmental delays. So I just think it's really important to stay on top of things...which it appears is exactly what you are doing. :hifive Good job mom!

[Colin's Mom]

Thanks so much everyone. I have been wondering about EI for a while. I don't think my husband is ready to take that step. He thinks I'm being too...something or other. I've talked to a developmental therapist, and of course our pediatrician, and got different answers. He had a speech eval not too long ago, but I don't have the results. Maybe it's time to take that next step. Thanks for the support. I was wondering if I was thinking too much about all of this and making a mountain out of a mole hill. But I would hate it if I missed something. I'll keep everyone posted.

[Kaitlynn's Mommy]

Hello, I'm sorry I'm a little late on this!!!!

Kaitlynn was devlopmentaly behind, in a few areas. She sounds a lot like Colin. She didn't really roll over until 6-7 months, and wouldn't sit or even attmept to crawl. She didn't make many noises unless it was totally quite. I'm not saying they were related to her surgery or her helmet, because we really don't know that.

The things I can say were related to her helmet were, her lack of using a sippy cup until almost 13 months. Holding her own bottle unless she was laying down. Looking up at people.

We have had EI for almost a year now, and I have to say I wouldn't change it. If it wern't for the Physical Therapist comming twice a month, I don't know if Kaitlynn would be walking. She now is almost 18 months and is all over the place, she doesn't talk as much as my older children did, but oh well.

Are you a SAHM??? I am and my husband was the same way that yours is. He didn't care, and didn't think we needed EI, even my pedi didn't think we did. But I pushed and went through with calling EI and getting things set up. My DH has only been around a handful of times when the physical therapist comes or when we've got services in the house. If you feel there is something wrong in your heart, don't hesitate to do what you think is right!!! You know Colin best, and you know your gut feelings as well!!!

HUGS! Let us know what you decide!!!