UPDATE-Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

DD is favoring one side and has the start of flat head in the back. The ped gave me a script today to have her evaluated for PT. Is this something I could have prevented? We never let her sit in one thing too long and I do as much tummy time as she'll allow, which is not much. I feel like I screwed her up!!

Update: Just wanted to update and say thanks. I called early intervention today and they told me someone would be contacting me early next week to set up a screening for DD. I am so happy!!!

Message edited 2/1/2008 8:52:27 PM.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

It get hurt to get her evaluated. My eldest daughter received PT services from the time she was an infant....it's actually very informative and does help them alot....

we all feel like we are screwing them up. It is my biggest concern that Ive ruined them in some way.... Im sure you are doing a wonderful job.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

You did not screw her up!!!!!!!!!!

Megan had the start of a flat head..her ped never mentioned pt..just said to do as much tummy time as possible. She HATED it. She would lay to the left all the time. The second she rolled, it fixed itself. Keep doing what you are doing hun and she will be fine.

If she does need pt, not a big deal I am sure. At least your ped sounds good, unlike mine!

I heart you!!

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Sometimes they have weak neck muscles (torticollis) which causes the favoring of one side. My DS had it and received PT when he was a baby. It was not a big deal and the sooner you do something about it, the quicker it goes away. It's all very manageable and sounds worse than it is. My DS was getting the flattening too. When it's your first child (it was my oldest I am talking about too) you don't always know why they might favor the one side or that you should switch them or how soft their heads really are. Try not to beat yourself up, it's not a bad Mommy thing at all. Most of them hate tummy time esp if they have a neck muscle weakness.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Stop!!!! You did nothing wrong


My DS needed PT for his torticolis...which it seems like your DD is going to be evaluated for. The flat head is probably a result of the back to sleep which we do for their safety so not your fault...it seems to be very common. I have slept DS on his belly so we didn't have to deal with that but they had expected to see it when he first went in. He did however have mild left torticollis where he favored one side.

If you do a search you'll see where I have posted on this...and feel free to fm.

At the beginning of this month we heard the words we had been hoping for from the PT...no more torticollis! So please don't beat yourself up over this....it can be fixed!!!!

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

yes, we just started 2 weeks ago for PT related to torticollis. it's not a big deal at all, as long as it is treated. we got 2x a week right at Good Sam Hospital.

we also had to change a few things around here to encourage her to look the other way. just simple things - like where her aquarium is in her crib that she likes to look at, and the location of her changing table.

ETA: we also got some exercises to do at home with her a few times a day. 2 weeks in and the therapist said she already sees an improvement.

Message edited 1/28/2008 2:15:40 PM.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Posted by Karen

yes, we just started 2 weeks ago for PT related to torticollis. it's not a big deal at all, as long as it is treated. we got 2x a week right at Good Sam Hospital.

we also had to change a few things around here to encourage her to look the other way. just simple things - like where her aquarium is in her crib that she likes to look at, and the location of her changing table.

ETA: we also got some exercises to do at home with her a few times a day. 2 weeks in and the therapist said she already sees an improvement.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

My son will be starting PT very soon for torticollis. He will be around 4.5 mos when it starts. If I caught it sooner he would have started it earlier. Everyone including my own DH said I was crazy and seeing things. I finally told my ped and he agreed and we had him evaulated.

The PT will be in my house 2x a week. It is through a program called Early Intervention. Ask you doc about it!

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Posted by Mrs-Boop

Posted by Karen

yes, we just started 2 weeks ago for PT related to torticollis. it's not a big deal at all, as long as it is treated. we got 2x a week right at Good Sam Hospital.

we also had to change a few things around here to encourage her to look the other way. just simple things - like where her aquarium is in her crib that she likes to look at, and the location of her changing table.

ETA: we also got some exercises to do at home with her a few times a day. 2 weeks in and the therapist said she already sees an improvement.

Thanks everyone!

We'll be going to Good Sam too...just waiting for them to call me back!

Message edited 1/28/2008 3:44:44 PM.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

my DD has it too and she is getting PT for it, we just started few weeks ago, it's nothing to worry about , I posted about that a while ago and found out that my DD isn't the only child that has it, like I thought, it's very common and it's 100% treatable, just takes some PT and some exercises at home. please do not worry everything will be just fine.

Message edited 1/28/2008 3:51:14 PM.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Argh!! My insurance does not cover PT....my parents are both yelling at me to try things on our own at home and if it doesn't seem to be working we will contact my cousin who is a PT. What to do. My parents are both old schoolers and believe the doctor is jumping the gun a bit, they say most babies will favor a side and eventually, with stuff adjusted at home and the better her neck control gets (which she is really starting to lift her head for prolonged periods on her own) it will correct itself.

What to do??

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

My advice would be to talk to the pediatrician...let them know that PT isn't covered under your insurance and see if they can help.

With all my heart I have to say that I do not regret one second of PT for my son. It was one of the best things we could have done for him. I don't know if this would have corrected on it's own...our parent's really can't say either...they slept us on our bellies so the issues were not the same.

I can give you some advice to help if you are going to go on your own:

- Tummy Time is key!

- Positioning is key (we actually made a guide for our daycare providers and I can share it with you if you want)

- Ask your Pediatrician for some stretching and strengthening exercises to do with your DD.

- Avoid the swing and bouncy seat.

- Use these for the carseat and stroller - my PT recommended them and I love them:

Link

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

That's so weird. I think they have to pay for an infant.

When DD had to go for torticolis it was free.

GL

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

And I just want to share my son's progress - sometimes the visual explains it better:

When I first noticed it:


Now (well Christmas - now is even better):

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

No, but wanted to send you some .

I am sure he will be fine--it's good to get things checked out and if there is a problem, address it while he's young.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Did Good Sam call you back yet? I have not had to pay a dime yet - I don't know if it's due to our insurance or if it's considered early intervention. Maybe ask Good Sam - they are probably the experts on the insurance end.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Thank you all...being a special ed teacher you'd think I would have thought of all this..mommy brain is toasted. I am going to call the ped tomorrow and see if we can go through the state. If we have to, we will pay for it, I just tend to freak about things, with all these expenses on the horizen with daycare and whatnot. Thank you all for the stuff to try at home.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Why don't you try calling your insurance company? I don't know why it would not be covered. Mine was covered with a copay.

I tried to get someone to come to the house. It was hard to go out with 2 newborns all winter twice a week.

Unfortunately, torticollis is not covered by early intervention because it is not a developmental issue.

u should definitely go to pt. I think it was totally worth. Their are stretches that you can do at home. Maybe your cousin can show you?

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

My ped said DD was starting to get flat head and favored one side too her right side. She didn't reccomend PT yet. She said to try to do things to get DD to look in the other direction like shake toys talk to her on that side etc. Flat head syndrome I think is common because now you are supposed to put them to sleep on their backs. I try to give DD some tummy time even though she hates it. My stepfather suggested laying her head on a pillow during the day so she's not laying face up on a hard surface. I think it was on this board that someone suggested some kind of massage to the head to give it's shape back.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

Both my DS and DD get PT in our home through early intervention and I have to say I LOVE IT and their teacher. She is so helpful and please remember it is not your fault. Things will get better but definietely contact EI. Good luck.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

I don't know, if the ped is recommending it, I would probably go now. It's not that big of a deal, I am sure, though I understand your fear. When we went for DDs 4 month check up, the Dr. was a little concerned about her muscle development. He said to monitor until the six month and to do lots of tummy time between now and then. I asked for a referral right away, I don't like to wait. That said, we took her in for a sick visit on Friday (she's just over 5 months) and he checked her out again and said she's made dgreat improvement and doesn't need the PT evaluation any long. So, my recommendation is to make the appt and do as much tummy time as she can take between now and then. Even if it corrects itself, at least you cover all your bases.

Also wanted to add that you did not screw her up. With back to sleep there's tons of this type of stuff popping up.

Re: Did anyones Newborn need physical therapy??

oh don't blame yourself. :( this probably started before the baby was born.