head case

Poor Barrett has been sick all week. Luckily, it's just a cold, but that cold is trying its hardest to make him miserable.  Not to mention I felt a tooth poking out of the top gums this morning.  So between the hacking cough, constant drooling, runny nose, and throat and mouth pain - let's just say that this week was very trying.  Then we had to go and make it worse by picking up Barrett's helmet.

Remember when our pediatrician pointed out so off-handedly, "Have you noticed his head is a little flat on the back right side?" at his six-month wellness visit?  Then the physical therapist had to come and check him for torticollis and other issues I can't pronounce.  Then a visit to Children's Hospital, to the cranio-facial specialist.  Then a visit to the orthotics company for a head scan.  And finally, a trip to the orthotics company to get the helmet fitted.  Then, for an undetermined number of months in the future, bi-weekly appointments with the orthotics company to check on fitting.

The hubs and I took Barrett to his fitting, and entered a waiting room where we spotted a baby in a helmet.  I've never known a baby that had to wear one.  Honestly, before all this happened, I had just assumed that the helmets were on babies who had developmental delays and needed head protection.  How does one figure out that it's for shaping the head unless you're in the situation of needing one?  

The hubs and I looked at each other, and once left alone in the sweltering exam room (note to office renters - get thermostat access), we admitted that the helmet was so much worse on the parents than the baby.  Should I just say that it all went well and the helmet is great and we don't even notice it and how awesome is Barrett because he ignores the helmet and this whole thing will be a breeze?  I can't, not honestly.  It's a staggered process of getting him used to the helmet, wearing it for increased periods of time over five days until finally he's wearing it 23 hours a day.  It makes his head sweaty.  It makes his cheeks red and irritated.  It's that shitty spot of being a parent - caught between wanting your baby to be happy and doing what is best for him, and the answers aren't the same.  

I know, he will get used to the helmet.  I know, it's only for a couple of months.  And he won't remember any of it.  Britton has been asking when she gets to cover the helmet in stickers.  I want to know when I can throw it in the trash.  I'm kidding, though not really.  Here's to hoping he gets used to it sooner than later, and that his head gets rounded sooner than later!