Resident of the Month!

 

I feel the like the last few weeks have merged into one big long week that has rushed by in a blink of an eye!! I have been so busy arranging stuff for our Raffle and just general life, that I cant believe its October today!!

Anyway to cut things short - I opened an email a few weeks back from a lovely lady named Jenny who advised me that Chris and I had been nominated for Eastbournes Resident of the Month for August - How Exciting - I don't think I have ever been nominated for anything in my life, so I didn't think there was going to be any chance of winning. I carried on reading and it sounded like it had been decided. I contacted Jenny who confirmed that all we needed to do was pop into Advanta (the sponsors) to get our picture taken for the Herald (Again) and we would be presented with a certificate, yes we had won!

I feel so Honoured - I never set out doing any of this for recognition. I just wanted other mums and dads to be able to have information about plagiocephaly to help them monitor and make decisions regarding their own little ones treatment options. I also wanted to ensure that we put as much money back into the charity as possible to help people who may not be as fortunate as us at raising funds. The Charity is a lifeline for families on lower incomes,  and no family should have to go without when it comes to treatment for young babies.

Last Thursday I met Chris during his lunch break and we took Little Finny into Advanta and we met Jenny and Yiotis who presented us with our certificate above!! We have also been given a meal for two at a local restaurant called Ridgeways up in Meads. I cant wait its been ages since Chris and I last went out....in fact Chris fell asleep last time in the cinema!! Haha!!

Jenny also advised us that, all winners throughout the year are put forward for Resident of the year....now that would be awesome - however I'm sure the competition are all amazing, so we will just dream for now!

H

Osteopathic Centre for Children - Free Osteopathy for babies and Children!

 

The Osteopathic Centre for Children is a charitable oesteopath centre based in Wandsworth, London. They aim to provide families the option of osteopath treatment regardless of your ability to pay. The clinic ask for a donation but this is not essential to you getting treatment for your child if you cant afford it.

Cranial Osteopathy is a great treatment for reducing plagiocephaly and on many occasions will reduce the condition enough to not require any further or other treatments. This is obviously dependant on the severity to begin with, but Treatment can be quite expensive. take a look at there website for more details: http://occ.uk.com/

The OCC is a charity and is only able to run due to the kind donations it receives, if you wish to donate please go to the website to find out how.

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.

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!

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

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