Update on Torticollis and Positional Plagiocephaly

Rowyn Grace Sommer 10-16-08

I wanted to update yall on Rowyn's condition.

We took her to see the pediatric physical therapist on Thurs 10-16...

(Miss Rowyn is ready to go)

Chris met me there...

We were seen by Kim Solari...

and right away she confirmed to me that she does not think Rowyn has TORTICOLLIS... yipee... She went ahead and went through the daily stretches with us anyways... it doesnt hurt to know how to do them.

She did however confirm that she does have POSITIONAL PLAGIOCEPHALY

So she gave us some "Repositioning" tips for keeping Rowyn off of her head...
1. tummytime, tummytime, tummytime

(these were taken today 10-20-08)

..........basically, keep her off the back of her head as much as possible for the next 2 months...

....................she explained that a babies brain grows the fastest from 0-6months, and the brain growth is the only thing that will eventually push that flat spot back out...so it is absolutely imparitive that we keep her off the back of her head as much as possible.
2. when feeding her we have to lay her neck in the web of our hand between our thumb and index finger, so that her head is not laying on any surface.

..........or lay her on her side in her boppy(this seems to work better, she likes this postion better than being held, she is kinda long and gets all scrunched up in our stomach.)

3. she suggested that we get a puzzle piece mat

for the floor since we have hard woods... she said this might make it more enjoyable for her to be on her belly.

4. She also suggested that we get a side sleeper

so that even while she is sleeping... she is not laying on the flat spot.

The bolsters are repositionable(velcro) so you can take them off... turn the incline to the

side, like this... so that gravity will pull her little neck to want to lay the right way...

5. Lastly, she suggested that we get a big giant "yoga/therapy" ball

to play with rowyn on... its soft on her

tummy... and swaying her from side to side will cause her to pull away from the pull of gravity and stretch her little neck muscles.

Some additional things we have come up with...

side sleeping in the bobby....

is rolling up receiving blankets and postitioning them behind her neck to keep her head from resting on any highchair back.

and double'n up with the bobby pillows.
Please reply and let us know what you think.

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Internet Tips

While sleeping in a crib, cradle or playpen
Infants should be placed on their back for every sleep. Side sleeping is not as safe as lying on the back and is not advised. However, you can change your baby’s sleeping position by alternating your child’s direction in the crib. For example, place the baby’s head at the top of the crib one night and toward the bottom the next night. You also may try changing the baby’s head position—placing the infant to sleep with the head to one side for a night and then changing to the other side the next night.
Consider moving your baby's crib to different areas of the room; but be sure not to have your baby's crib always facing a wall. Babies are attracted to light and will try to turn their heads toward a window.
Once your baby is asleep, gently move his or her head to the non-preferred side (away from the flattened area).
Try placing a mobile on the side of the crib or playpen to encourage your baby to look in that direction.
During playtime
Be sure your baby gets plenty of supervised "tummy time" when he or she is awake. Tummy time gives your baby's head a rest, and encourages the use of arm, leg and neck muscles, which helps to strengthen them. The more time your baby can spend playing on his or her tummy, the better.
Try to reduce the amount of time your baby spends in car seats, carriers, swings, high chairs and other devices that allow your child to rest on the back of his or her head.
If your baby has torticollis, your doctor may teach you some home exercises that can help stretch and massage your baby's contracting neck muscles.
While feeding:
Alternate the arm you use to hold your baby while bottle or breastfeeding.
When feeding, encourage your baby to turn his or her head away from the preferred side.
Additional tips:
You can use soft pillows or rolled-up towels to hold you baby's head in position while in a car seat or carrier. Some companies make specially designed pillows to help hold the baby's head in the preferred position. Be sure to first ask for your doctor's advice.
Change your baby’s diapers from the side. This encourages the baby to turn his or her head to look at you.
Try using a front carrier rather than a car seat/carrier when you go out with your baby--and even around the house. Babies enjoy being held.

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Love, Chris, Megan & Rowyn Sommer

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4month check up, Ran into some Issues

When we took Rowyn to her 4month check up...
As always I had MUCHO questions for him... I always have a list, which in some way i think he appreciates.
...Questions for Dr. Foster...
1. When can Rowyn get a Flu Shot?
Response: At 6months, so next visit, she will do yet another round of shots and she can get her flu shot then.




2. When can i expect her to start teething?
She is drooling like crazy already!
Response: Probably around 9months, but he has seen children as early as 4months cut teeth.









3. How much formula should she be eating in a days time?
I read online that you should calculate 2.5oz per oz of weight, well for Rowyn that means 44.75oz

And broken up into 5 feedings a day, that comes to almost 9oz each feed... that just seemed like to much to me.

Response: 32-34oz

So, we are right on track... 8am:8oz, 11am:6oz, 2pm:6oz, 5pm:6oz, 8pm:8oz = 34oz


5. When can we start solid foods?
Response: 6months











6. Is there drops/ointment that I can use to unclog her tear ducts?
I have friends who have been telling me about medicine(ERYTHROMYCIN OPHTHALMIC OINTMENT) they got from their peditricians for their kids clogged ducts.

Response: No, just keep wiping with warm wash cloth, this ointment is used more for redness in the whites of the eyes.






7. Is this something we should worry about?
Forgive the camera lens cap dangling in the way.

The flat spot on the back right side of her head.

Response: Rowyn has a condition called TORTICOLLIS.







Torticollis, also known as "wryneck," is a condition in which baby's head is tilted. The chin points to one shoulder, while the head tilts toward the opposite shoulder. Congenital torticollis occurs at or shortly after birth.

No, this is not Rowyn,...lol... this is just an illistration from Web MD.

Our pediatrician also said that basically there are muscles in the neck, one on each side, under the ear stretching down to the collar bone. When one of the muscles is weaker than the other, it causes the baby to favor turning her head to one side.

This in turn causes POSITIONAL PLAGIOCEPHALY(flat spot on back of her head)

Technically, plagiocephaly is "a malformation of the head marked by an oblique slant to the main axis of the skull." However, more recently, the term has been applied to any condition characterized by a persistent flatten spot on the back or side of the head (also know as flat head syndrome).

Our peditrician referred us to a pediatric physical therapist.

Solari Pediatric Outpatient Therapy Services(SPOT)(OT and PT)
Director: Kim Solari OTR, SIPT certified
12850 Hillcrest Road, Suite 108
Dallas, TX 75230
972-404-1718

Our peditrician said that the therapist should be able to evaluate Rowyn and determine what stage she is in, then they will probably work with her stretching her neck, and showing us stretches and activities to do at home with her to further her improvement. He then stated, "If the therapy doesn't work" "We will have to look into getting Rowyn fitted for a Cranial Helmet"

I read somewhere recently that these run between $3,000-$6,000. HOLY MOSES! But you gotta do what you gotta do...right?

Here is some other info.

Tummy Time Severity Assessment Before & After Photos October Photos Brochure

I called and left a message at the therapist office to set up an appointment, and get this... the doctor herself called me back directly... wow, i thought... she was extremly nice and very reassuring. She said that they were not one of those offices that would just string you along, ...treatment, after treatment... just so they can bill your insurance and make more money...

She said that she would be glad to show me some things i could do at home with Rowyn so hopefully we would not have to go back and see them at all.

My concerns that i expressed to her were...

I didnt think Rowyn had TORTICOLLIS...everything i had been reading says that it is painful to the child, and that the baby would favor one side...
Rowyn can turn her head fully in both directions, and she doesnt appear to be in any kind of pain.

To the Right.

To the Left.

Well now that i look at these pictures side by side, im not as convinced as i was... but all the more reason to take her to see the therapist and get it all check out.

Also, this doctors office is considered OUT OF NETWORK... so i will basically be paying in full for every visit... which, granted... you gotta do what you gotta do... but I sure didnt want to be throwing $250 down the tubes just because of an unnecessary diagnosis...
But, then again... I have to take her, just to make sure... how can i not...right?
Anyways... the doctor was extremely nice and reassuring... i was impressed... so i went ahead and scheduled an appt.

We are going Thursday 10-16-08(Our 4yr anniversary i might add, together 7yrs3m)

So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I will update you all tomorrow when we get home.

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Love, Chris, Megan & Rowyn Sommer

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