The Helmet Chronicles: fitting and adjustment period

Today The Little Ninja got his helmet.

When we first arrived at the orthopedic store, we were given a cup of coffee (or in my case, tea) and went into the fitting office, where the model of The Little Ninja's head was revealed complete with helmet. We were instructed how to wash it and what to expect and given suggestions for how to 'break it in', or get The Little Ninja (and us) used to him wearing it.
The fitters had made a yellow foam model of his head and then filled up the less round bits to shape a nice, symmetrical, round head. The helmet was built on this model of The Little Ninja's ideal head. It restricts growth where his head is already protruding, and leaves space for it to grow out to fill the ideal head mold.

At first, the helmet was too long, covering his eyes and not leaving enough space for his ears. The technician marked this and then milled/ground/filed the helmet to the right shape. Once he was happy with the shape, he sanded it all smooth. It was interesting to watch. Then he put on the helmet one last time before packing it up for us to take home (with the ideal/comparison head mold inside).

We were told to take The Little Ninja home and put the helmet on him for just 15 minutes the first time, when he was fed and rested and had his familiar toys in his familiar environment to distract him. We were told to act normal so he would understand that the helmet was normal.
After we took the helmet off the first time, The Little Ninja's head was completely soaked with sweat. After just 15 minutes! We dried him off and wiped off the helmet and then an hour later we put the helmet on again, this time for half an hour. We did it! We all survived. And to be honest, I think the helmet's cute. I'm happy with the 'ice age' pattern and am already glad we decided to do this.

Tomorrow we start the adjustment period - one hour with the helmet on, one hour off. This'll be mostly The Recyclist's responsibility as I will be heading downtown for my review/writing session and dinner afterwards.

We go back in two weeks for fine-tuning or can make an appointment sooner if we have any problems or see any pressure points.

Here's hoping the adjustment period continues as well as it began!