Baby helmet (Docband) Experience + DIY helmet
Let’s start this off with why Alba needed her helmet..
Alba had a mild mixture of torticollis and plagiocephaly. Which is just flat head, but also she had some tight neck muscles so that explained why she favored one side vs the other. You can look up the whole meaning online but that’s the gist of it. Alba was always sleeping on one side vs the other and overtime it caused one side to be flatter than the other. Getting a helmet is more than just having a flat head, it also made her ears not be leveled from the front, and you can also notice her cheeks being fuller due to the misalignment. Keep in mind if your baby needs a helmet- this has nothing to do with you. We had the baby pillow for her, we gave her tummy time, we tried it all but sometimes it just happens. I will say babies need helmets for many different reasons, not just for flat heads. Some babies have surgery and need it after.
I will also say you will get stares during the time your baby has a helmet. Not going to lie I’d get so irritated when people stared at her. I’d stare right back at them because I’m such a momma bear haha. You just learn to keep walking and ignore them. Sometimes people will come up simply to ask and mention that they know a baby who’s going through the same thing and it’s so refreshing! I’m always open to answering their questions, but not just for them to stare lol.
To the moms who have to get their baby a helmet,
It’s sad at first and no matter what people say you do feel guilty. I know I did. You’ll miss kissing your baby’s head, but I promise after bath and during that 1 hr a day it makes you feel better. You might even grow to love the helmet! It does help when they bump into things haha. Alba made the funniest faces while having it, and I’d learn to love kissing her on the top of her head where there is an open part of the helmet. It goes by faster than you think. The first day or week will be the hardest for them to adjust and they’ll still sleep fine. I promise.
How to clean the helmet:
Use alcohol on a washcloth or spray bottle and let sit for 1-2 mins then wipe off.
You can take the helmet off when bathing, swimming, or outfit changes. Just make sure you put it right back on and if swimming try to stick to an hour of it so that you can put it back on.
From Aug 7th-Nov 11th.
The in between...
Every 2 weeks we’d go in for a check up. During the checkups they slowly remove some foam inside the helmet to help direct the growth in the right direction. Depending on where the flat areas are they’ll shave off more foam in the area they want the growth to go. Your baby has to wear the helmet 23hrs a day. We did go with the Cranial Technology company for her helmet from a recommendation from our dr. I’ve had moms ask me or talk to me about what systems they use to get pictures of her head.. they use their own machines- not Xrays so there’s no worries about radiation or any of that! I’ve also heard there are other helmet companies, we just went with them! I highly recommend them. They’re very nice and helpful with any questions along the way. As always research everything before choosing to go with a helmet company.
They'd put this over her head each visit (every 2 weeks) to see how round her head was getting.
DIY glitter band
I used a white paint to coat the helmet 1st
Used a white glitter paint 2nd
Used loose glitter and added all over the helmet
Repeat the 2nd & 3rd step again
Let dry & get a spray paint sealer & coat 2-3 times
Let dry & done!
I did this all the first day she had the helmet because if I shipped it off to be done or anything it would have made the helmet process longer. On the first day of having the helmet you’re supposed to wear it for 1 hr and take it off the next hr and repeat for the first day to make sure the baby is adjusting to it well without and irritation.
For the pink bow I’d attach, I used Velcro patches to attach on her helmet and the back of a bow so it’s be easy to change out!
Before & Afters
You’ll see the top of her head isn’t so pointy and more curved. The back of her head is more round and not as flat. From the front you’ll see that her forehead and ears are more aligned and not as wide.
I hope this helps any parents who have questions about baby helmets or if they're about to get one! It goes by faster than you think.
xo, natasha