Showing posts with label Helmet Chronicles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helmet Chronicles. Show all posts
Monday, August 13, 2012
Helmet chronicles conclusion and follow-up
Right, so during my extended hiatus from blogging, The Little Ninja completed his helmet therapy. That was in January. We are VERY PLEASED with the result. The Little Ninja's head is no longer triangular/noticeably asymmetrical. Also, he can wear normal hats. And that's the real win, isn't it?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Helmet Chronicles: progress and setback
So you know how we were having so much trouble getting The Little Ninja to sleep with his helmet on at night? We totally solved that.
It seemed that the problem was mostly that he didn't want the helmet back on after his bath. My brilliant solution: bath him in the morning and since the helmet doesn't seem to bother him once it's been on for a bit, we now just NEVER TAKE IT OFF. At least, not in the evening before bed. And you guys, it worked like a charm! He sleeps! With the helmet!
And you know what else?! The helmet guy measured his head at the appointment on Saturday and IT'S ALREADY IMPROVING! Seriously, after just two weeks, and those not even full-time! Yay!
So obviously, after good news like that and much applause for my fabulous solution to the sleeping problem, it all had to go wrong.
The Little Ninja has a fever. And since he needs to be able to get rid of the heat, we have to keep the helmet off until his temperature returns to normal. So far, the helmet's been off for two days already. 2 DAYS!
Two days of mostly sleeping, on his back, no less, possibly making his flat spot worse! Not to mention that the poor little sucker obviously doesn't feel well. And that he isn't allowed at the daycare with a fever so I'm babysitting and not working. I hope the fever goes away soon, so The Little Ninja feels better and we can put the helmet back on. It doesn't work lying on the shelf, after all.
It seemed that the problem was mostly that he didn't want the helmet back on after his bath. My brilliant solution: bath him in the morning and since the helmet doesn't seem to bother him once it's been on for a bit, we now just NEVER TAKE IT OFF. At least, not in the evening before bed. And you guys, it worked like a charm! He sleeps! With the helmet!
And you know what else?! The helmet guy measured his head at the appointment on Saturday and IT'S ALREADY IMPROVING! Seriously, after just two weeks, and those not even full-time! Yay!
So obviously, after good news like that and much applause for my fabulous solution to the sleeping problem, it all had to go wrong.
The Little Ninja has a fever. And since he needs to be able to get rid of the heat, we have to keep the helmet off until his temperature returns to normal. So far, the helmet's been off for two days already. 2 DAYS!
Two days of mostly sleeping, on his back, no less, possibly making his flat spot worse! Not to mention that the poor little sucker obviously doesn't feel well. And that he isn't allowed at the daycare with a fever so I'm babysitting and not working. I hope the fever goes away soon, so The Little Ninja feels better and we can put the helmet back on. It doesn't work lying on the shelf, after all.
Monday, September 5, 2011
The Helmet Chronicles: Success and failure
After the success of the first week, building up the hours during the day that The Little Ninja wore his helmet, we thought we were in the clear. The Little Ninja seemed not to even notice the helmet, though he did sweat a lot. This weekend we decided it was time to extend helmet time from all day to include night.
What a freakin nightmare.
It seems he can't sleep at night with his helmet on. Or at least, that's what we deduced from the hours he spent screaming when we put him to bed. No amount of soothing, cuddling or distracting toys were any help. He rubbed his eyes, he yawned, and threw a tantrum because he couldn't sleep. For HOURS. I know the helmet guy said we were supposed to be tough and not, under any circumstances, take the helmet off when he was crying. That we had to show The Little Ninja that the helmet was there to stay and that crying would not make us take it off. He also emphasised that the longer the helmet is worn, the more effect it will have. With this haunting our thoughts, we made it through hours of screaming. But there is a limit, people. At a certain point you start questioning whether a shapely head is worth all this pain and anguish.
We totally caved.
I mean, the helmet guy isn't pulling his hair out listening to the screaming and going out of his mind trying to soothe The Little Ninja. No, that would be me. And The Recyclist. So we took off the helmet, dried off The Little Ninja's head, which by that time was totally soaked, walked around to sooth him, and then laid the little guy back in his bed. He was asleep in seconds. Seriously.
We tried it again the next night and the next night. Same thing. We are all going crazy. We go back to the helmet place next Saturday for the first check-up/adjustment. Are we going to have to tell the helmet guy that it just isn't working? That we've failed already?
What a freakin nightmare.
It seems he can't sleep at night with his helmet on. Or at least, that's what we deduced from the hours he spent screaming when we put him to bed. No amount of soothing, cuddling or distracting toys were any help. He rubbed his eyes, he yawned, and threw a tantrum because he couldn't sleep. For HOURS. I know the helmet guy said we were supposed to be tough and not, under any circumstances, take the helmet off when he was crying. That we had to show The Little Ninja that the helmet was there to stay and that crying would not make us take it off. He also emphasised that the longer the helmet is worn, the more effect it will have. With this haunting our thoughts, we made it through hours of screaming. But there is a limit, people. At a certain point you start questioning whether a shapely head is worth all this pain and anguish.
We totally caved.
I mean, the helmet guy isn't pulling his hair out listening to the screaming and going out of his mind trying to soothe The Little Ninja. No, that would be me. And The Recyclist. So we took off the helmet, dried off The Little Ninja's head, which by that time was totally soaked, walked around to sooth him, and then laid the little guy back in his bed. He was asleep in seconds. Seriously.
We tried it again the next night and the next night. Same thing. We are all going crazy. We go back to the helmet place next Saturday for the first check-up/adjustment. Are we going to have to tell the helmet guy that it just isn't working? That we've failed already?
Saturday, August 27, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Helmet Chronicles: Digital Modelling and Transportation Difficulties
Today I went to Rotterdam with The Little Ninja to have his head measured for his helmet. We stuck him in a Bumbo seat with a play saucer and pulled what looked like the foot of some spotted panty hose over his head. The technician took digital pictures while spinning him around in the seat to get all sides. Some fancy computer program aligned the pictures using the dots on the head hose and came up with a 3D model of his head.
It was pretty cool, actually. And I was impressed to watch The Little Ninja sitting in the seat all by himself. Maybe we should get one of those things - Internet, he could SIT! But seeing as he's almost six months old now, he'll probably learn to sit one of these days anyway. So maybe we'll skip the Bumbo.
So by now that 3D model of my son's head has travelled cyberspace to the foam modelling people. They're going to make a physical model of his head and then fashion a helmet around that.
If that wasn't enough excitement, I got to choose the pattern for the helmet today! I was kind of disappointed, really. I thought there would be more selection. Still, I like the swirly blue one I picked. It'll be kind of like a bowling ball. But not quite that round. Or shiny.
Transport was a drag. I'm married to The Recyclist, so we're all eco-conscious and stuff. So we don't have a car. Which means I take public transport everywhere. Now, this is Holland, not Canada, so it's not the impossible task it might at first seem. However, travelling alone with a kid in a stroller makes certain transport options significantly more difficult than they would otherwise be. Like certain trams (streetcars) that have a raised floor, so I can't take these if I'm alone with The Little Ninja because I can't lift him and the stroller up the steps. And certain train stations that are under construction don't have elevators to the platforms; again - can't do it alone. As a result, the 58-minute route suggested by the handy public transport planner was a no go. I had to walk to a further stop than usual, where I took a bus to a further train station than usual, but one that did have an elevator. It was not a good connection.
Then, the level-floor train that was scheduled was replaced by a raised-floor train. Panicking, I managed to get us inside, but not in the right place so I had to sit on one of the pull-down seats rather than in a normal cushioned seat. Still. The train was on time and we got to Rotterdam on time. They also have raised-floor trams there, so I opted for the subway, which would leave me a longer walk, but that I was sure had elevators at both ends. On the way back, I realised that the particular tram that goes past the orthopedic centre is a level-floored one. Figures. I took that one downtown and went shopping. More on that next time.
Shopping complete, I headed for the nearest tain station: Rotterdam Central Station. I totally forgot, however, that Central Station is under construction and currently has no elevators. While I was trying to decide if it was worth it to take a tram back to the other station and calculate whether I'd still catch my train, a nice young guy handing out flyers offered to help me carry The Little Ninja up the stairs.
Is your jaw on the floor? Are you as surprised as I was? As I still am, hours later? That might be the first nice thing a stranger has done for me since I moved here. Six years ago.
This time the train WAS level-floored so yay. And I therefore didn't panic to get inside, but walked calmly to the correct door, allowing me to get a real seat. Yay. Not so yay was after I got off that train and went to catch the bus home. It's August still, right? That means it's summer, doesn't it? It was freaking cold and windy today (with showers) and the frigging bus didn't come. I watched two trams go by (the tall ones I can't get into alone) while I waited for the stupid bus. In the freaking cold and wind. And Ninja was getting upset too. Fun all around. Finally, though, we did get home. The next bus did come and we were home and warm not too long afterwards.
Sometimes, I wish we had a car. Today, for example, our trip would have been so much easier. And faster. But I, like my husband The Recyclist, love the Earth and am willing (for the moment at least) to suffer a few inconveniences for its sake. Or so I keep telling myself.
It was pretty cool, actually. And I was impressed to watch The Little Ninja sitting in the seat all by himself. Maybe we should get one of those things - Internet, he could SIT! But seeing as he's almost six months old now, he'll probably learn to sit one of these days anyway. So maybe we'll skip the Bumbo.
So by now that 3D model of my son's head has travelled cyberspace to the foam modelling people. They're going to make a physical model of his head and then fashion a helmet around that.
If that wasn't enough excitement, I got to choose the pattern for the helmet today! I was kind of disappointed, really. I thought there would be more selection. Still, I like the swirly blue one I picked. It'll be kind of like a bowling ball. But not quite that round. Or shiny.
Transport was a drag. I'm married to The Recyclist, so we're all eco-conscious and stuff. So we don't have a car. Which means I take public transport everywhere. Now, this is Holland, not Canada, so it's not the impossible task it might at first seem. However, travelling alone with a kid in a stroller makes certain transport options significantly more difficult than they would otherwise be. Like certain trams (streetcars) that have a raised floor, so I can't take these if I'm alone with The Little Ninja because I can't lift him and the stroller up the steps. And certain train stations that are under construction don't have elevators to the platforms; again - can't do it alone. As a result, the 58-minute route suggested by the handy public transport planner was a no go. I had to walk to a further stop than usual, where I took a bus to a further train station than usual, but one that did have an elevator. It was not a good connection.
Then, the level-floor train that was scheduled was replaced by a raised-floor train. Panicking, I managed to get us inside, but not in the right place so I had to sit on one of the pull-down seats rather than in a normal cushioned seat. Still. The train was on time and we got to Rotterdam on time. They also have raised-floor trams there, so I opted for the subway, which would leave me a longer walk, but that I was sure had elevators at both ends. On the way back, I realised that the particular tram that goes past the orthopedic centre is a level-floored one. Figures. I took that one downtown and went shopping. More on that next time.
Shopping complete, I headed for the nearest tain station: Rotterdam Central Station. I totally forgot, however, that Central Station is under construction and currently has no elevators. While I was trying to decide if it was worth it to take a tram back to the other station and calculate whether I'd still catch my train, a nice young guy handing out flyers offered to help me carry The Little Ninja up the stairs.
Is your jaw on the floor? Are you as surprised as I was? As I still am, hours later? That might be the first nice thing a stranger has done for me since I moved here. Six years ago.
This time the train WAS level-floored so yay. And I therefore didn't panic to get inside, but walked calmly to the correct door, allowing me to get a real seat. Yay. Not so yay was after I got off that train and went to catch the bus home. It's August still, right? That means it's summer, doesn't it? It was freaking cold and windy today (with showers) and the frigging bus didn't come. I watched two trams go by (the tall ones I can't get into alone) while I waited for the stupid bus. In the freaking cold and wind. And Ninja was getting upset too. Fun all around. Finally, though, we did get home. The next bus did come and we were home and warm not too long afterwards.
Sometimes, I wish we had a car. Today, for example, our trip would have been so much easier. And faster. But I, like my husband The Recyclist, love the Earth and am willing (for the moment at least) to suffer a few inconveniences for its sake. Or so I keep telling myself.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Helmet Chronicles: Introduction
Today we had an appointment at a nearby hospital. It was a kind of intake interview for The Little Ninja and The Recyclist and I as his parents.
See, when he was about 2 weeks old, we realised that The Little Ninja had a flat spot on his head. At the back, to the left. From above, his head looked kind of triangular. Technically, this is called positional plagiocephaly. The flat spot may have been formed by his position in utero, by his 'assisted' birth, or by a preference to turn his head to his left in those first two weeks. He certainly did prefer to face slightly to the left, but I'm not sure whether that was because there was already a flat spot there, so his head just rolled into that position or because of something else, causing the flat spot. In any case, we mentioned it at our one-month Well Baby appointment and the doctor gave us some exercises to do with The Little Ninja, to try to encourage him to turn his head to the right.
At the two-month Well Baby appointment, we mentioned it again and the doctor referred us to a physiotherapist. She measured The Little Ninja's head and how misshapen it was. This is given a score on the ODDI - Oblique Diameter Difference Index. 100% would be a perfectly round, symmetrical head, which, obviously, no one really has. 100 - 104% is considered round. 104 - 108% is slightly misshapen but will probably resolve with physiotherapy. Above 108% is not likely to resolve on its own and justifies helmet therapy. The Little Ninja scored 107% at 2 months, but the real measurement would be at 5 months. This was just to give a frame of reference. The therapist gave more exercises and we made regular appointments to check the progress.
We quickly broke through the left-side preference, but the flat spot remained. No longer lying on the flat spot, a bulge appeared under the flat spot making The Little Ninja's head look somewhat less triangular.
At 5 months, the physiotherapist measured The Little Ninja's head again. After three months of turning his somewhat triangular head to the right, strengthening his neck muscles with exercises, and giving him time on this tummy so that his flat spot could grow out, he now scored 111% on the ODDI.
I don't know exactly how that happened. Maybe the first measurement was wrong, maybe the bump under the flat spot is actually worse than the flat spot, I don't know, but his head is somehow more deformed now than it was three months ago.
Which means The Little Ninja is getting a helmet. Our next appointment is on Tuesday, when they'll make a complete 3D model of his head in order to make the helmet.
Thus begins The Helmet Chronicles...
See, when he was about 2 weeks old, we realised that The Little Ninja had a flat spot on his head. At the back, to the left. From above, his head looked kind of triangular. Technically, this is called positional plagiocephaly. The flat spot may have been formed by his position in utero, by his 'assisted' birth, or by a preference to turn his head to his left in those first two weeks. He certainly did prefer to face slightly to the left, but I'm not sure whether that was because there was already a flat spot there, so his head just rolled into that position or because of something else, causing the flat spot. In any case, we mentioned it at our one-month Well Baby appointment and the doctor gave us some exercises to do with The Little Ninja, to try to encourage him to turn his head to the right.
At the two-month Well Baby appointment, we mentioned it again and the doctor referred us to a physiotherapist. She measured The Little Ninja's head and how misshapen it was. This is given a score on the ODDI - Oblique Diameter Difference Index. 100% would be a perfectly round, symmetrical head, which, obviously, no one really has. 100 - 104% is considered round. 104 - 108% is slightly misshapen but will probably resolve with physiotherapy. Above 108% is not likely to resolve on its own and justifies helmet therapy. The Little Ninja scored 107% at 2 months, but the real measurement would be at 5 months. This was just to give a frame of reference. The therapist gave more exercises and we made regular appointments to check the progress.
We quickly broke through the left-side preference, but the flat spot remained. No longer lying on the flat spot, a bulge appeared under the flat spot making The Little Ninja's head look somewhat less triangular.
At 5 months, the physiotherapist measured The Little Ninja's head again. After three months of turning his somewhat triangular head to the right, strengthening his neck muscles with exercises, and giving him time on this tummy so that his flat spot could grow out, he now scored 111% on the ODDI.
I don't know exactly how that happened. Maybe the first measurement was wrong, maybe the bump under the flat spot is actually worse than the flat spot, I don't know, but his head is somehow more deformed now than it was three months ago.
Which means The Little Ninja is getting a helmet. Our next appointment is on Tuesday, when they'll make a complete 3D model of his head in order to make the helmet.
Thus begins The Helmet Chronicles...
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