“It seems your little one has developed a flat area on their head,” the pediatrician announced, while I internally chuckled. (My baby? Perfect, thank you very much, Doc. Haven’t you noticed in these first eight weeks?) “Let’s hold off for a month before we decide on a cranial band,” he continued. (Gasp. Did he really just say that?) Handing me pamphlets adorned with adorable babies in helmets, the doctor explained that “flat head syndrome,” or plagiocephaly, can result from a snug intrauterine environment or from too much time spent lying on their back after birth. Um, definitely not the latter. I’ve cradled that little one every moment since they arrived, inhaling their essence regularly. So, thanks a lot, womb.
I got to my car and burst into tears. The next 24 hours were a whirlwind of frantic Google searches, bouncing between parenting blogs, and more tears. After four agonizing weeks, visits to various specialists, and trying every “natural head repositioning” trick imaginable, my baby finally got fitted for a cranial band—what I lovingly refer to as a helmet (or HELLmet). They wore it for twelve weeks, and I shed tears for about four of those weeks. But honestly, I have no regrets about the decision. If your baby needs a helmet, here are five reasons why you both will be just fine:
1. Your Baby Won’t Mind as Much as You Think.
Yes, your baby will notice the first time they get fitted for the band. Depending on their age, there may be some tears and attempts to yank it off. Your heart will break, and you’ll want to help them rip it off. You might even shoot daggers at the technician, who is merely executing your decision. That jerk. You’ll grimace every day when you remove the helmet for cleaning—not just because you dislike it but because it’s actually sweaty and smelly too. You might even remove it more often than recommended out of pity for your baby. But remember, the sooner they wear it consistently, the sooner you can toss that helmet into a bonfire and move on emotionally.
2. It’s More Common Than You Think.
You’re not alone in this journey. Many parents are dealing with plagiocephaly. Seriously, in today’s world, hearing “my child needs a helmet” is as commonplace as discussing the weather or lamenting about the lack of hours in the day. There are online retailers dedicated to decorating helmets, and support groups abound. In fact, members of Facebook parenting groups are ready to share their experiences and show you before-and-after photos of their little ones. As Michael Jackson said, “You are not alone.”
3. Time Flies.
Remember the moment you first learned you were expecting? It probably feels like ages ago, right? The same applies to that initial helmet fitting. While the days may drag on now, just like everything else related to parenting, you’ll blink and it will all be over. Even if that helmet is cramping your precious cuddling sessions and you curse its existence daily, this phase will pass faster than you think.
4. You’ll Become More Informed and Less Judgmental.
Let’s be honest—when you first saw a baby in a helmet, you probably stared and wondered what had happened. Was there an accident? Why is that baby so cheerful? Unless you Googled it right away, you probably didn’t know that many of these helmets are just cosmetic fixes. The parents of those babies are likely being proactive about correcting head shape while their little ones are still blissfully unaware. Now you know, so let’s focus on our own kids, okay?
5. You’ve Made the Right Choice for Your Child.
You’ve probably already done everything your pediatrician suggested to prevent the need for a helmet—lots of holding, sneaking into the crib every hour, turning their head, and even some massage techniques. If nothing worked, it’s time to accept that a cranial band is the best solution for your baby’s flat spot. So go ahead, take the plunge, and don’t look back. Your little one and their perfectly shaped head will thank you someday.
This article was originally published on February 27, 2017. For more insights into parenting challenges, check out this other blog post here.
Summary:
If your baby needs a helmet, know that it’s a common situation many parents face. While it can be emotional initially, the time will pass quickly, and ultimately, you’re making the right choice for your child. With support and understanding, you and your baby will navigate this challenge together.