Archer's Helmet

Archer got a helmet this week to treat his head flattening (brachycephaly). We went in two weeks ago for a head scan and found out he qualified for a helmet because the ratio of width to length of his head is close to 1 (.93), which means its pretty close to a circle. Most of us are closer to .80, which is why our heads are typically more egg shaped. Archer's score was in the moderate to severe range, so it was something we wanted to go ahead and correct. It is essentially cosmetic, although more severe cases can cause issues with vision and other problems. The docs say the younger we intervene the less amount of time he will be required to wear it.

For those of you who aren't familiar with baby helmets, I will share the little bit that I know and have since researched given Archer's need for one. With the movement to have babies sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS, many babies developed a flat head on the back or one side of their head. Sometimes this flattening can be the result of torticollis (or weakness/tightness of the neck muscles on one side), but Archer's neck is equally strong and loose on both sides. Andrew, on the other hand has left torticollis, and we are working on repositioning and stretches to reduce this and prevent further flattening for him on his left side (right now in the mild range).  Both boys were evaluated by a physical therapist a few weeks back and we will followup for Andrew next week. This flattening can be from sleep position, but can also begin in the womb.  Because of that, it is more common in multiples because they are often cramped and in funny positions. It is also more common in Twin (or in our case Triplet) A because the "gatekeeper" babies often end up with their heads in mom's pelvic bone. Archer has always slept staring straight up at the ceiling. At the same time, Archer was born with a rounder head (if you remember his newborn pics looked a little like the alien from The Flintstones, but in a cute way). So it is kind of a chicken/egg scenario.  Meaning, we're not sure if the back of Archer's head flattened out because he liked sleeping on his back staring straight up at the ceiling or if he liked that sleep position because it was already a little flat to begin with (who can remember those early days of sleepless fog?) causing his head to appear rounder.

We had a scan to get the exact dimension of Archer's head, which was used to make the helmet just for him.  As it was explained to me, his head has to grow, and the helmet "forces" his head to grow in the direction we want rather than in the direction it is currently growing (i.e., too flat in the back). Every baby's helmet will be unique to their head, but given the nature of Archer's flattening, his helmet will somewhat restrict growth on the sides while leaving room for the back to grow/round out.

Anywho, we are currently going through the following wear schedule:
  Tuesday - hour on, hour off, off for night sleep
  Wednesday - two hours on, hour off, off for night sleep
  Thursday - four hours on, hour off, off for night sleep
  Friday - eight hours on, hour off, off for night sleep
  Saturday and beyond - on for 23 hours a day

Right now, it doesn't seem to bother him one bit (see adorable picture evidence), but if anyone wants to come take night shift Saturday night, all are welcome. Just kidding (kind of). Naps in the helmet in the rock and play have gone fine, so tomorrow we are going to practice napping in bed to see how sleeping in the bed with the helmet goes. He fusses a tiny bit when we put it on, but then resumes normal activity. I have been trying to pair putting it on with a meal so he will have a positive association with the helmet (fingers crossed). Our other concern is the heat.  As you probably know, South Carolina summers are not known to be mild, so we have to make sure Archer doesn't overheat (hence Archer napping in his diaper below) or get a rash.

We'll keep you posted on our precious boys progress.