I knew I'd have to explain this one to Clark before it all happened. So, I told him that Ava needed a new special hat to fix the owee that was on her head. He's fine with that idea and fine with the helmet but quickly insisted that he needed a new special hat too. I should have guessed he'd say that. Anyhow, we found this cute little safari hat the same day and he wears it all around now.
I keep getting the same helmet questions from different people so I'll answer a few of them here:
Q: How long does she have to wear it?
A: Anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months. It just depends on how quickly her head corrects it's shape. I'm hoping for 6 weeks.
Q: Does she wear it all day every day?
A: Yes, almost. She is supposed to wear it 23 hours a day. We take it off for one hour to clean her head and her helmet and to watch the pressure spots.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: No, it's not supposed to. So far she seems to me just mildly bugged at it. If it starts to hurt in any spots (the pressure spots) then we take it back in and they readjust it so that the pressure is relieved.
Q: How does it work?
A: I was wrong on this one in the beginning. It doesn't mold her head back into shape. There isn't that much pressure in there. It just allows for growth in the voids (where the flat spot is) and doesn't allow growth where there is already a snug fit. So, as her head grows it will just grow into the helmet space available and will become a normal shape.
Anyhow, wish us luck!
6 comments:
It's not even close to what I was picturing - much better!
I was picturing some opaque, clunky thing. The clear helmet is genius! :)
Seriously, I don't think it looks that bad, but I'm sure I'm biased.
I agree with Teri - it's not nearly as bad as I expected. I was picturing some big bulky white thing with a chin strap an all. This doesn't look too bad. We'll just mark with magic marker on it -- "no, I'm not a "special" child, I just have a flat spot on my head!"
I don't anything could ever make her un-cute! The helmet's even got that stylish pink strap--how trendy is that?! All of her play friends are going to be jealous...
Little Ava is so cute that she even looks cute in a helmet! That is totally different than what I was picturing - like Terilyn and Christy said. The helmet I've seen on that girl in our ward is pink kind of camoflaugey, and it doesn't have that strap. Clear is good because you can still see her cute hair through it. That cracks me up that Clark needed a hat, too. Well, good luck and I'm glad it's going okay so far. Have a good trip and Happy Birthday!!
Thank you for answering the questions I had! Ava ia adorable and nothing is going to take that away. Most people know all about helmets these days so hopefully you don't get too many stares or questions. I think the part I would hate the most is the sweating! Just 3 months at the most right? Just keep telling yourself that! I am so glad it's not bugging her too much either. Good luck guys!
There is nothing wrong with a sweaty head that makes it look like you have major medical problems. Trust me.
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