Helmet therapy..anyone???

[Dean'smom]

Hi everyone......my son got his helmet yesterday and we are gradually beginning the therapy......has anyone's child worn one of these?? I am having a hard time with this, and I never thought I would. He really doesn't like it, and I know we have to give it time, and apparently he will get used to it, but I am skeptical right now. He can't turn the way he wants, and it makes him mad, he also won't lay on his back with it on. I am beginning to question whether it fits properly or not. We go back Wednesday for a check. Does this get easier??? I am also feeling stress because I have to go back to work 2 weeks from Monday....thanks.....

[Jennifer]

I can't help, but I'm sure it get's easier....just a period of adjustment I suppose. I'm pretty sure there are some here who used them....they should post soon!

[Mom2William]

I do not know how much I can help, but Will did get used to the helmet. He was older (3 yrs.) and could understand that he had to wear it or he could not play. But he did adjust quickly within a week, altho. he did not like it snapped under his chin.
His helmet did not stop him from turning his head or anything. Is your son's hitting his shoulders or just awkward for him? We did not have to wear it while sleeping so lying down with it was not an issue for us.
Good luck and hang in there!

[Melissa]

Bryson had the helmet several times, and I remember that we had to have it 'fixed' a couple of times - they used foam inserts to adjust the padding and get a better fit. (I don't know if the way they do it is any different these days, or not.) Bryson did get used to it. One thing you might try is letting your son decorate it. If you get some of the puffy stickers (plastic type, not paper) he can put them on himself. Then, if he wants to change them, you can carefully remove them and use alcohol to rub off any sticker residue. The plastic puffy stickers work best because they come off in one piece and don't look too ratty too fast, like the paper one's would. Maybe if he can decorate it, and change the decorations from time to time, he'll adjust to it more quickly. Good luck!

[cheryl2]

Hi, Clara had a helmet for 6 months after her CVR/FOA. She did get upset about it for the first few days, but got used to it amazingly quickly. Does need wear it 23 hours a day? Is there a break in period? I remember thinking that it was the break in period that was hard. What Clara didn't like at first was taking it on and off severl times a day. She adjusted once we were keeping it on all the time. Also, check his head-if there are any red spots, it may need adjusting. Good luck, hang in there. Clara would actually ask for it by the end!

[Dean'smom]

thanks everyone. Dean is only 4 months old.....and his helmet has cute jungle animals on it......so decorating it is out, and I can't seem to reason with him!! He does have to wear it for sleeping, and will be wearing it 23 hrs a day. We are in the break in period now- so it is on off, which he doesn't like. He won't sleep with it on until Sat. He won't even lay down with it on, on the floor, he want to be held the whole time it's on. I am really worried about sleeping. Thanks for your help....

[Melissa]

Boy, things have changed - back when Bryson had his helmet, you had a choice of blue or pink, and that was it, LOL. I know it's hard, but it's just one of those things he'll have to get used to, it sounds like. Bryson didn't like his the first few days, but was fine after that - but then he was older, too. I don't remember how old he was when he got his first one, but it seems like he was probably close to a year old or so...he didn't have a helmet with the craniectomy, and I don't remember him having it with the CVR at 4 months, but I think maybe he had it with the one at 10 months. I hope Dean gets used to it quickly and maybe it won't be such a scary thing for him after that...

[Katie]

Dillon also had a helmet, and the break in period was pretty tough. He would get so mad when we put it on! We also had to have it adjusted several times before we got that perfect fit. Dillon did get used to it after a little while. During the part time period, we started distracting him after we put it on. We'd play with him, give him his favorite toys, etc... We also had him take a couple of naps in it before going to full overnights. I think the adjustment part time period was supposed ot be a week or two, but it was about three weeks before we had Dillon in 23 hours a day.
Once he adjusted to it and went full time, there really were no problems (except the gallon of sweat an hour :giggle). He wore it for three months, but then one day realized he coule pop it off his head and it never stayed put after that.
It takes time, but he will get used to it :hugg

[Dean'smom]

Hi. Ok...awake time is better, but now we're tackling the sleeping. he's having a hard time with it. I think part of the problem is that shen he lays on his back, the helmet moves toward his and is on his eyebrows..that doesn't seem right, does it? We go Wed. for an adjustment, and I hope they can fix that.....we didn't make him sleep overnight in it last night because he was so overtired from not napping.........this is tough.

[lucsdad]

oh, boy. lucas is being fitted for his helmet on monday.
he's so irratable right now. i can see we'll have problems too.
keep the advise coming.
lisa

[Gena]

Hi Lisa and all,
Jeremiah had his surgery the 22nd of Dec. Still learning the terms but his saggital suture line was fused. Follow-up with surgeon was the 3rd and he ordered helmet therapy. Since surgery Jeremiah has been so ill. He doesn't even act like the same baby. We're to take him for fitting the 12th. Any comments/advice on what to expect appreciated.

[Dean'smom]

Hi. Sorry to hear he has been so ill, hope he is better now. I am just checking messages, I haven't been on in a while....I hope his mold went well- was it done with plaster? My son did not like that. How did your's do? Let me know how the helmet therapy is going- we have about 5.5 more weeks to go, then hopefully we are done!