A Mother's Journey to Correcting Flat Head Syndrome
As a mother, I never thought I would have to worry about my daughter developing flat head syndrome. But after Madeline underwent two open heart surgeries and a lung surgery at just 4 months old, she was unable to move for several months, and her head became flat in one spot.
We were referred to a plastic surgeon for a helmet fitting, and it was then that we learned the consequences of not correcting the flat head. The doctor explained that if the flat head was not corrected, it would deform Madeline's face as she grew. The helmet therapy was the only solution, but it came at a cost - $600, which we could not afford at the time.
Insurance does not cover the cost of a cranial helmet, as it is considered a cosmetic correction. However, in Madeline's case, the flat head was a result of her operations and having to lay in a hospital bed in a certain position to be able to breathe and heal from open heart surgery.
After many searches, we finally found a doctor's office that kept used helmets and donated them to infants in need. We were overjoyed and grateful to have found a solution to correcting Madeline's flat head.
Cranial helmet therapy is a treatment option for infants with flat head syndrome. The helmet is worn for several months and helps reshape the head by directing growth to the underdeveloped areas. The helmet is customized to fit the infant's head, and it is adjusted as the head grows.
This was a frustrating time for me personally. I hated having to make her wear the helmet, because I was worried it was uncomfortable and she would cry. She had to wear it every day, all day. With some small breaks for changing and bathing. It was blue due to it being used so I bought little flower stickers to make it look pretty. "As pretty as a helmet could look." I had to push my self to make her wear it, because I knew she had to.
Being looked at as a bad parent for having your baby in a helmet, people asking "Why did you let her get flat head?" "Don't you hold your baby?" "Don't you know how to lay them on there side?" Of course I did, these comments hurt because I usually could explain that she had went through three major operations over a five month period and that was the cause of the issue we were trying to correct. I had to get tough skin and remember not everyone has walked in my shoes and they just don't know. and that's okay.
In conclusion, as a mother, it is heartbreaking to see your child go through so much at such a young age. But seeing the positive changes in Madeline after she began wearing the cranial helmet was truly miraculous. I hope this story can give hope to other families facing similar challenges and remind them that there is always a way to find a solution, no matter how difficult it may seem.
If you have questions or would like to share a similar story with me please email me
@ Findingthepieces25@gmail.com
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