Monday 16 September 2013

How to master tummy time if your baby suffers from plagiocephaly - Guest Post from Dr Kerstin Castle, Cosyplay




Dr Kerstin Castle has kindly written a guest post for us about how to master tummy time for babies suffering from Plagiocephaly:


If your baby suffers from plagiocephaly you may feel that you have a race against time on your hands.  During the first few months, your baby’s head is soft and grows at a phenomenal rate. Sleeping on the same spot every night means he might develop plagiocephaly or if he was born with it, it might become worse.  After five months, this growth rate slows significantly and the bones in the head harden.  You have been told, that tummy time is the solution, but you worry, because your baby shows no signs of being happy on his tummy and the window of time is closing.

Most health visitors and GPs will recommend tummy time, which has led many parents to attempt putting their young babies on their tummy with the result that the baby screams at which point many parents stop tummy time until the baby is “ready”.  If your baby’s head is perfectly shaped waiting for your baby to be ready is fine.  But what can you do if time is running out, and your baby is still not interested in tummy time?
Firstly, tummy time does not need to start on the tummy.  Put your baby on a soft surface, where you can both be comfortable and just play.  Roll your baby gently onto his side and see if he is happy in that position.  If not roll him back again.  See, you have just managed 15 seconds of time not spent on the flat spot. 
The most important part in making tummy time enjoyable for your baby is your presence.  You need to be physically close to your baby if you want to introduce your baby to tummy time.  Your baby needs to hear your reassuring voice, see your smiling face and feel your touch to know that whatever is occurring is intentional.

It is best not to wait until your baby starts crying on his tummy.  Make a game out of rolling about by pulling funny faces when he is on his tummy and turn him back as soon as his delight at your face wanes.  Over time, you will find that your baby becomes much more used to being on his tummy and he will enjoy the new perspective. 
Find a surface that is comfortable for both of you.  When you start tummy time, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time there, so you might as well be comfortable. 
It is true, that all babies develop at their own pace, but babies, which are encouraged to use their muscles, develop them quicker.  Any encouragement will lead to faster progress.  For example, if you lie on your back on the floor and “fly the baby” above you, you will feel your baby arching his back, trying to hold up his head.  It is not tummy time in the strictest sense, but it will help to get your baby to enjoy tummy time more quickly.
 
You should also consider that carrying your baby in your arms contributes to strengthening his muscles, because your baby will have to readjust his position and will try to balance whilst you move.  This will help with tummy time, because he will feel stronger, more coordinated and in control when placed on his tummy.  
Finally remember to relax.  Babies are amazingly sensitive to their parents’ moods and emotions.  You may be anxious to get your baby to master tummy time quickly, but without you realising it, you transfer your state of mind to your baby.   Make time every day to play on the floor with your baby and gradually integrate rolling about into your daily routine.  A comfortable surface for both you and your baby will be helpful, and allow both of you to be relaxed.  A familiar duvet, blanket or play mat, which is associated with fun and play will be the best place to introduce new concepts such as tummy time. 

This guest post was written by Dr Kerstin Castle, inventor of the cosyplay baby play mat.  Cosyplay baby play mats are made from memory foam and big enough for you and your baby, so you can be comfortable and relaxed whilst being part of your baby’s development.  See www.cosyplay.co.uk for more information.

Wednesday 11 September 2013

Almost Raffle Time!

So the raffle is approaching fast. I had all these great ideas how to promote all the prizes we have been donated but in truth, there are just too many - I tried and photoshop almost blew up. So what I have done is a little promotional poster listing what we have.
I also have about 10 more to add, just waiting on final confirmations before I add!!

BUMBLEBEE NEARLY NEW BABY AND TODDLER SALE

Date: 28th September
Place: Willingdon Secondary School, Willingdon, Broad Road, East Sussex
Time: 10am - 12pm
Entry to sale: Free
Raffle: Tombola style £1 per Ticket

Refreshments available!


Monday 9 September 2013

Third Check up!

So on Friday - Finny had his third appointment with TiM. That means he has had his helmet for 6 weeks already - the time is flying - wont be long before its off completely!
Well we have been so pleased with the results so far, Finnys Head is looking gorgeous - he has developed a beautifully round bonce - so naturally we were very excited leading up to Friday to find out what his new measurements were, the only down side was Chris wasn't able to get the day of work - So Nanny came with us again!!
So Finnys new Measure were CI: 84% (still, but this is only very very mild so not an issue) and Asymmetry: 11mm - That means he has reduced 7mm in Six weeks!! The helmet is working great and you can see on his chart below he is heading very nicely for the Mild category - lets keep our fingers crossed this progress continues :)


Another section in the Eatbourne Herald!

The Eastbourne Herald have wrote another article for us about our fundraising efforts. Its a really brilliant article thats reads beautifully please take a few minutes to have a read!

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/family-of-little-finlay-on-way-to-charity-target-1-5463795

Tuesday 3 September 2013

Where has the time gone?!

I have realised its been ages since I have posted about Finnys Progress. I have been so busy organising the charity raffle I have had little time for anything else, especially as I have had to wait in to receive the mountain of wonderful donations to raffle off!!
On top of this I also have done a few of my KIT days at work, which surprisingly I enjoyed and it meant Finny got to spend some quality time with His Aunt, Cousin and Nanny.

So where to begin with Fin.......He is crawling... well he pulls himself along with his arms, but has been doing so since the 3rd August. We really wasn't expecting him to be on the move so quickly, he wasn't quite 6 months when he started!! He constantly gets on to all fours and rocks backwards and forwards, but so far he hasn't had the confidence and co - ordination to scoot of like that...not that it matters cos boy can he pick up some speed dragging!! My mum brought him a little ball the other day - he loves nothing more than to chase it around the lounge.

He is progressing really well with his Solids, in fact he eats anything (apart from Ellas fish pie which I found out in a cafe the other day haha). He is also doing really well with his finger foods - I'm hoping this continues and he wont be a fussy eater like I was.

Out of the blue a tooth arrived!! This also surprised me as I was convinced he would take after me in that department as I didn't have any teeth until I was well over a year old......but no one has popped through!

In the development department, I was beginning to worry as Fin was struggling to sit. I know babies develop at different rates but Fin has always had this lean and when ever he sat, he would always fall to that side. I was worried the tightness from birth was still affecting him and off-balencing him. The last few days though he has come on leaps and bounds, although he still has the odd wobble, hes almost there. I think half of it may be a 'who wants to sit when you can move' on Finnys part!!

We also took him to the park the other day and he had his first little sit in a baby swing. He really loved it, I'm hoping now hes sitting better he will enjoy it even more the next time we go!


On to Finnys Head - he is due an appointment of Friday, I cant wait, just looking at him there has been such an improvement. I have said if the regression stopped today I would be happy, Hes not perfect, and I have always said it wasn't about perfection. At this stage Fins Plagiocephaly is no longer noticeably abnormal. You cant really notice the flatness as it is rounding out nicely, he still has a slight blossom, but the other side no longer leads up to the blossom at a flat angle, can you notice it? not as much. His facial asymmetry is no longer noticeable and his ears are more in line - Which means he shouldn't have problems fitting hats, helmets and glasses if he needs them when his older. Were thrilled at this stage with his treatment and we still have another 10 weeks or so to go. I will keep you updated when we know more after his check up on Friday :)

Heidi x
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