Baby Helmets for Flat Head?

[happysaver]

Anyone have their baby's head reshaped with a helmet?

Our son is 5 months old, and has a "moderate" flat spot on the right side of his head. We've been trying to reposition him and teach him to use the left side for 2 months now, with only minimal results. (Due to his reflux, he can't lay flat, even when sleeping. This makes it difficult.) The pediatrician thinks it's time to go get a consult from the DOC Band people.

My DH is reluctant because it's just cosmetic and we'd have to pay for it out of pocket. I'd feel bad leaving our kiddo with a flat head though, knowing we could have done something.

I'm curious about 3 things:

1. How much did it cost?
2. How long did your child have to wear it (from what age to what age)?
3. Was it worth it?

Thanks!

[jen276here]

When you say moderate, do you mean it is obviously visible or can you only feel it when you run your hand over it? Since he is only 5mos old and his fontanelles (sp?) haven't fused yet, there should still be time to correct it - even w/o the helmet, but I would ask the Dr. if the flat spots will affect his brain/growth and development and the success rate of the helmets for reshaping.

[happysaver]

His ped. diagnosed it as "moderate", whatever that means in doctor terms. It's not too visible from the front. It's most obvious when you look at his profile from the "normal" side, then look at his profile from the flat side. The doctor actually referred to it as cosmetic, with no mention of problems if it's not fixed.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I would think that once he is moving (crawling) and spending more time on his tummy active and less time sleeping he is head may be OK. I had a kiddo with a flat spot too like that and she is fine now.

If the pediatrician thought it was "Moderate" and said it was cosmetic why does he/she think it is time for a consult with the DOC Band people?

[CW&M Mom]

here is what you need to do.

You need to get him into physical therapy. You could try early intervention or just have the ped write a script for it...so that they can come and work on loosing his neck and getting him off that flat spot.

that being said...it probably won't do any good

the reason though why you need to jump through all those hoops is because that is what most insurance companies are requiring to pay for the helmet. They want them in therapy first.

There head quits changing by about 10 months...so you really need them in a helmet with in the next couple of months.

OOP ours was $1800. For insurance to pay...(when they finally did after writing letters to them) the insurance paid $3400 (and we got our money back). We had to have a plastic surgeon look at his head to recommend the helmet.

We had my son's fixed...because it had made his ears completely unsymmetrical...like not even close...and there was no way even hair was going to cover it up. His flat spot was in the back...on the side...so not exactly in the back...but on a diagonal.


We choose a pattern helmet....it had Dalmatians on it...the only thing I would do differently...is ask that the Datamation butt not be on the front of the helmet.

[happysaver]

If the pediatrician thought it was "Moderate" and said it was cosmetic why does he/she think it is time for a consult with the DOC Band people?

I'm not entirely sure. He told us to go get the free consultation, and see what they said, then come back and discuss it with him. However, they are in the business of making money, so I don't see them saying "Don't worry, he'll grow out of it!".

When he's able to sit upright (within a month would be my guess), he'll no longer be able to use his bouncy chair, or his bassinet, which are the 2 things that have caused the flat head. So I'm hoping the increased tummy time, sitting up on his own, and being in his "jumperoo" more often will help even it out.

[happysaver]

the reason though why you need to jump through all those hoops is because that is what most insurance companies are requiring to pay for the helmet. They want them in therapy first.

Thanks. The reason we'd have to pay OOP is because we have a $5000 deductible. So, even if we fought Blue Cross to get them to cover it (and I know it would be a fight, because they've been HORRIBLE), it would just bring us up to meeting our deductible for the year. At which point, it would be the end of the year, and we'd be starting our deductible all over again anyway.

LOL about the dalmatian helmet.

[CW&M Mom]

Thanks. The reason we'd have to pay OOP is because we have a $5000 deductible. So, even if we fought Blue Cross to get them to cover it (and I know it would be a fight, because they've been HORRIBLE), it would just bring us up to meeting our deductible for the year. At which point, it would be the end of the year, and we'd be starting our deductible all over again anyway.

LOL about the dalmatian helmet.

Then don't use insurance at all...because if they pay for any of it....odds are it will cost you more in the long run. Self pay vs insurance pay was vastly different prices.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I don't know I would wait a month and see if it gets better once his is sitting up more. Have you tried a Bumbo...I have heard a lot of parents that really liked them to help the baby sit up. My nephew used one and really enjoyed sitting in it when he was that age.

Various stores have them, here is a link to it on Target: Bumbo Baby Sitter - Green : Target which sells it for $35.09 which is a heck of a lot cheaper than the cost of a helmet! LOL

LOL at the Dalmatian picture above!

[happysaver]

Thanks Queen. I did get him a Fisher Price Bounce and Spin Froggy this week, which I'm using to transition him out of the bouncer. He's upright in it, so no more laying on the flat spot. I'm thinking I may wait a month and see how he does.

I REALLY don't want him in a helmet. Especially if it's just a mild cosmetic problem. Although part of me does wonder if the flattened area would effect his brain or development at all. That's the only thing making me want to consider a helmet.