Oscar's Helmet - Day One

Yesterday was the big day - the day that Oscar was fitted with his shiny new helmet!  We went to the Orthotist's office where they put the helmet on for the first time, then made adjustments to the helmet by shaving off little bits of foam here and there.

What the heck is going on here, mom?

Our orthotist, Mark, removed some material from the front over Oscar's eyes, a little bit in front of his left ear, and some space around the lump on the left side of his head (where the calcified hematoma is) so that these areas don't rub too much.

 

Oscar thinks Mark is silly.

Okay, now I'm over this.  This game isn't fun anymore!

Once the helmet was fitted properly, I had to practice putting on and removing the helmet.  Oscar was not too happy about this process, since mommy isn't very good at it yet.  His little ear gets folded over when sliding the helmet on, but if I don't put the helmet all the way on at once (fixing his ear later), then it is uncomfortable and pinchy.  So, I have to just slide the helmet all the way on quickly, then readjust his ears and the fit as fast as I can.  You can imagine how difficult this can be with a wiggly and crabby 6-month-old who doesn't want to wear the helmet!  The more we practice, though, the better we get at it.

For the first five days, we are on a schedule of ever-increasing helmet wearing time.  On Day One, Oscar only had to wear the helmet for one hour, then he got a one hour break and he didn't have to wear it while sleeping.  By day five, he will be wearing his helmet for 23 hours a day, including sleeping time.

As Day One progressed, he seemed to be adjusting to the helmet with minimal fussing.  Occasionally he wanted to try to push off the helmet, but of course it wouldn't come off.  At those times when he started to get crabby about the helmet, we played distracting games and he usually forgot about it.  His head is pretty sweaty when we remove the helmet, but I am told his body will adjust to this over the next 2-3 weeks.  

Getting used to my new helmet during tummy time

Look at that smile!

So far, Oscar seems to be doing pretty well with this new appendage! I'm waiting on my stickers to arrive in the mail, and then we'll have a snazzy decorated helmet.  By the way, did you spot those two little teeth Oscar is showing off?  :)