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This may be a flame-able confession
And I know it isn't friday.
I dare not say this on the 3-6 boards because I KNOW I would get flamed.
But, I'm starting to think that pediatricians are prescribing helmets as another way for the healthcare industry to line their pockets.
SO many babies "need" them now (some I know legitimately do, but really some don't) and they cost $2500 and sometimes insurance doesn't cover them.
I know that part of the back of the head flatness comes from the "back to sleep" campaign to lower the SIDS risk so maybe there really is a big need for helmets.
For those of you that don't know what helmets are they look like this
But, I'm just not that trusting I guess.
I also think the same thing regarding Acid Reflux in babies, I think it is over diagnosed and medicated without trying other options.
Lucy has reflux but she isn't on medications because probiotics are doing the job so I see no reason to give her zantac/pepcid whatever.
Flame-able? I don't know but probably. I guess I'm a bit opinionated.
But I don't have big enough big girl panties (made out of flame-resistant material) to pose this question on 3-6.
Thoughts?
Re: This may be a flame-able confession
Can't wait to meet my baby boy!
Aw thanks Taylor!
I don't agree on the helmet stance. I think doctors are realizing that problems that a lot of adults have now (migraines and such) are being linked to flat spots on heads. I know I have a TON of migraines and it took a lot for us to realize that underneath all my massive amounts of hair there is a flat spot which is triggoring them. I think Dr.s now are being pro-active in fixing the problem while they still can instead of when it's to late.
Now for the Acid reflux, I totally think they are throwing that diagnosis out there way more then necessary. I know there are some babies out there who really do have issues, but most of the time, changing things up can solve the problem. The dr tried to say CJ had it and wanted to put him on meds... I just chaned things around a little and he was fine...
To me, it kind of goes hand in hand with the Parents / Schools / Doctors throwing labels like ADD and ADHD out there ALL.THE.TIME. People want an excuse as to why their kid might be acting up, or not getting good grades or whatever and that is the most easy one to say somoene has. And again, I know that there really are people out there who struggle with those issues, but for the most part, it' just being thrown around because someone needs an excuse for something...
I agree...Blake's pediatrician suggested we watch him cause he was starting to develop the mis-shapen head. If it's not better at his 6 month appointment next month, she wanted us to see the specialist. I noticed the shape awhile ago, and never said anything to DH. He never noticed it until the pedi pointed it out, and started to get paranoid about it. I say, if he never noticed it to begin with, then it's not an obvious problem right? I never thought it was bad enough to require the helmet, and I still don't.
My co-worker's kid really does need one, and the thing costs 10K! Insane.
I think that you have good points. I am not sure if they are valid or not but I feel like the health care industry goes through phases and has "pet projects". I think this happens a great deal in children's services because of the lack of answers sometimes where diagnoses are concerned. It's easy to pick something that is the cause or problem. It's helmuts now and could be leg braces next week. It reminds me of the influx of kids with ADD/ADHS diagnoses twenty years ago. Now it is autism and other autism spectrum disorders. Children's health care is a work in progress unfortunately.
As far as not giving your baby medicine to treat reflux... good for you for finding something else that works. I am so reluctant to medicate my son unless he needs it.
I agree if it is bad then it should definitely get a helmet
something like this
but this
looks fairly normal to me.
And what about doing things like less lying on their back (during play) and alternating their head side when they sleep before spending thousands of dollars for a helmet (and they will usually need more than one)
Jess you bring up a good point that it will prevent things later on if there are severe/or even moderate flat spots.
I'm just not convinced that so many kids need them
My head was a total cone head- total! For a while even... no helmet for me, and I think I turned out okay- DH may say differently.
I don't have kids, but I agree with you in general Christina. I do think that things are over prescribed because it's easy and convienent (like C-Sections).
I agree with Jess, really its the job of the parent to take the recommendation's and decide whats best. It's sad that we now have to look at children like cell phone plans where X, Y, and Z are sold to us, and we pick off recommendations.
Now I do have to say (and this may get me flamed) that I do think there are also people who go the other extreme, like DH's parents. I get wanting to go to a homeopathic doctor, and am all for people doing what is best for them, however when it effects your kids...
BIL is 11. He has really bad allergies. So bad that he can't be outside for more then like 5 minutes without a huge swollen eye in the spring (pollen). BIL so desires to go to summer camp, but can't with his allergies. I casually recommended that maybe he go on claritin or something proactive during allergy season, MIL said, we give him benadryl, I said, yes but thats a reactive medicine, not proactive. FIL says, well if he just went on the diet the homeopathic doctor gave him, he'd be fine. I say, so what's this diet, he says "no sugar, no food coloring, no gluten, no dairy". BIL is 11. What in the world does an 11 year old eat with that. To me, his quality of life is being effected... becuase FIL and MIL are so against any type of medicine. I even suggested allergy shots- since that's like not even a drug, just the ability to build antibodies. Nope.
That is also so far wrong to me.
That's insane. But that's not even drugs like you said! My dog is on those allergy injections even!
Regarding the helmets, I don't know if they are over-prescribed or not. Thankfully, Isabella didn't need one (I was worried she might for a little while).
But I do think that a big part of the increase is
A) people being more proactive about fixing things ahead of time (good, bad, or otherwise). I mean, look at how many more people have braces to fix teeth that likely would have not "needed" braces 20 years ago.
Maybe it is overprescribed. I honestly didn't look into it that much since Bella thankfully didn't need one. It probably depends on the pedi though. I would definitely suggest getting a second or third opinion if you disagree with the diagnosis, especially since the helmets are not cheap! And definitely a huge PITA. And I'm sure unpleasant for the babies.
And this is totally not a flame btw. Just my thoughts on the issue.
I don't think it's a confession to have an opinion sister!
Hmm so many problems in our world today. How do you know the right decision as a parent?
Emster had a helmet for about two months. She only had one, many kids only have one, unless it is really severe. It cost between $2500-$3000, I've never heard of them costing more. Most insurance does not cover it, though many have luck appealing the decision. I have very mixed feelings about it. Overall, I'm glad we did it. And I fully acknowledge that she STILL has a flat spot.
She suffers from torticollis where one side of her body has weaker muscles and is not as fully developed as the other side. This is the reason her neck 'leaned' and she developed the flat spot. I cannot tell you how much screaming and crying we both did for 'tummy time' before I knew about the tort and how hard it was for her--it upsets me now just to think about it.
She has been in PT, OT, and been through countless assessments--in home and at stupid centers. I cannot clearly express the worry I have for how she develops and knowing if what they say is right or effective for what I feel her needs are. Really I would have thought not as much was wrong with her until I had LB. When I compare their development I can clearly mark when she is behind (not that you can exactly compare your kids). She will always have issues with muscle tone and spatial recognition. One doc still thinks she falls on the autism spectrum and that makes me angry, which is really because I feel powerless against it.
Now I do think some things are over-prescribed. Depending on the parent and the pediatrician. It is natural to want what is best for your children and to want to trust in a system like the medical field. I have a friend that seriously takes her kids to the doc every.single.week. She is a little psycho, but it is part of how she copes. Call it over-protection or want of validation. All of us are just figuring it out as we go along. I think everyone needs to do their due diligence as a parent to be well educated and then pray for peace on your decisions.
this is a long reply and I am so not flaming you
I agree with B especially (bolded)- yes babies sleep/nap on their back. And have to ride in the car.
But I guess DD didn't spend a whole lot of time on her back, I would hold her/she would do tummy time/wear her in the wrap when we were out instead of in the carseat.
She also sleeps on her side because it is better for her reflux.
Maybe there needs to be a statement by the pediatricians in america to let parents know that they need to do more tummy time/not be on their backs while playing as much? I know that won't happen but they are the ones with the "back to sleep" campaign and though it is helping in some areas it is causing issues in others - so I think they should give viable recommendations to help that not happen.
/soapbox
Shell- Torticollis is TOTALLY a reason to have to get a helmet, there is nothing you could have done to help The Emster out other wise.She was born with torticollis.
These are the GOOD reasons for helmets.
Oh no, I totally agree with you. And I'm not saying that it isn't over-prescribed. It very likely could be. I just never did any research on it myself, so I'm not super informed on it. I just know that this is what my pedi told me regarding flat spots/helmets.
And my pedi really, really emphasized tummy time (a LOT). Which is why I was worried Bella would need a helmet since she HATED tummy time. Fortunately, she didn't. Maybe if she would have had a different pedi, that pedi might have recommended one.
I think it could very likely depend on the pedi. Are you wanting to stop using the helmet? If so, totally get a second opinion. Maybe your pedi is a little quick to suggest helmets? Or just mad that you feel like DD didn't really need one, and just venting. If so, vent away! That would frustrate me too!
Now I'm all for natural things.
But really he could try the injections- my husband gets them and does so much better now.
Sometimes those diets just aren't feasible AND if he isn't allergic to those things then he doesn't NEED to be off of them.
Though I do acknowledge that it probably would help his allergies. I don't know that I would do it.
But I would get him the shots or claritin etc
Well her head is still flat, her ears are uneven, and she is a little wonky in her head (not that she gets that from her mom)
so maybe they don't work--in fact I had this doctor come up to me in a store and tell me that 'research doesn't really support their effectiveness' um hello dude, I know that--google is my luver, but I needed something to try, some way to help her. and maybe it is a little less flat, who knows--she can just revel in being the screwed up middle child
Oh I guess I should clarify. DD doesn't have a helmet, nor has it been mentioned!
But, I just see on the 3-6 board so many moms that are now needing helmets for their kiddo's, it just seems like a lot.
I don't think DD needs one, if anything seeing all these kids that DO need one makes me scrutinize her head all the time (jeez like I need more to stress about) pedi didn't say anything at 4 months so hopefully she is just fine
Ohhhh. lol Sorry, I totally misunderstood. I guess that's what happens when I come on the board kind of sporadically. ;-)
I'm sure if your pedi hasn't mentioned anything to you by now, you are just fine.
Shell- um I don't know...I'm good with technology but not that good.
Maybe save it as a jpeg and then upload it to a photo sharing site then you will have a URL to post?
this is just the first page. can you see the look in here eyes--you did THIS to me.
darn it, it won't post
I think that if you had a child that is failing to thrive from acid pouring up his throat, you'd have a drastically different opinion about reflux/GERD.
And pediatricians aren't the ones prescribing helmets. Helmets are rarely covered by insurance, so there is very little policing of the medical necessity of them. OF COURSE there are children who need them, but I can say from my own experience that the companies that are head shape experts aren't always ethical.
Um, Whoa. I said nothing about FTT and AR and those who have that not needing meds.
I said sometimes I think it is over prescribed for cases that aren't that bad or may not really be AR.
Lucy has AR, not FTT not acid pouring up her throat. But she has reflux and refluxxes a lot (well she used to ) but with the probiotics it has helped her.
I just think some ped's are saying oh your kid spits up more than normal (what is normal) then let's put him/her on zantac. This isn't always the case but I just cant see how SO many people on the boards have kids with AR.
That's all.
I was not trying to say that kids that need it don't need it. There are FOR SURE cases that need it. That is what it is for.
Lucy was not a happy spitter necessarily, but she doesn't spit up now that she is on probiotics. If we miss a day, it's ugly.
I'm sorry you had to fight tooth and nail for your kiddo, that isn't good at all.
I still think she has "real" reflux, but I don't think she is on the very bad end of the spectrum- which your child is and therefore should be on medication.
Great topic, ladies! I like to see some posts about controversial issues!
I'm far from being completely natural/crunchy, but I also have a lot of skepticism when it comes to the medical industry. I've never heard of the helmet issue before, so it was interesting to read all the information on that.
Shell, thanks for posting your pictures! I don't know what you're talking about with her "accusation eyes" or what you said, I thought her expression was cute in the pic!
I DO have a strong opinion about ADD and ADHD being over-diagnosed in today's society. My degree is in Psych and I learned a lot about it in college.
So as i do not yet have children i don't have a lot to add the this subject but i do know that when my sister had her daughter and was trying to get her in some sort of sleep routine that Kaycee would not sleep on her back, she hated it, so my sister tried her on her side she hated that too. so my sister one day tried her on her tummy during nap time and it worked like a charm. Now i don't know if this has anything to do with her size from the time she was born and how early she was able to support her neck and turn her head from side to side while sleeping. It should also be stated that my sister has one of those carmera monitors and would keep a very very close eye on her to make sure she was ok. Now my sisters beleife is that yes there is SIDS but as a parent you have to do what is best for you and your children and if my niece was able to be a tummy sleeper then my sister was going to do whatever need be to keep her a- safe and b- happy and healthy. Some may disagree with these choices but like i have said and others have said you have to do what you as a parent think is best for your children.