OMT

Originally we were going to have to wait 3 weeks for Logan's first OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) appointment.  Luckily, there was a cancellation for Good Friday, so we went to the appointment in the morning before leaving town.

The nurse took him for a minute and said she could tell that he was stiff.  The doctor came in and talked a little bit about his diapers (we are still having mucous, but she thinks we should just keep with the formula we are on), his eating, sleeping, and overall mood. Then they went to work on him.

She said he isn't as bad off as some she sees, but that he was definitely stiff, had a start of a flat spot on his right side, and she could tell that he generally preferred to look that way.  Some kids can't look both ways.  He can.  He just favors one side.

She said things like the bumbo are good for him, because babies spines naturally come out in that shape.  I guess before there was such a thing as a bumbo, they use to make seats that are similar for kids who needed therapy.  She said they were all elated when it was available for the general public.  We had actually already started using the bumbo, so that was good.  Now we make a conscious effort to use it at least once a day.  Sometimes more if he tolerates it.

Even though he has great neck strength and control when holding him, he does not do that great with tummy time. She said that they are actually two different muscle types and skills and that I really need to be diligent with the tummy time.  I was trying to do it once a day, but she wants me to do it every wake cycle. He hates it.  He cries the entire 5 minutes almost every time.

She said that being on the tummy and lifting the head is more than just being able to do a push up.  It actually has a lot of correlation with other developmental skills.  We all know that babies use to sleep on their tummies and moved to "back is best" approach because of SIDS.  She said they saw a decline in the rate that milestones were met once babies started sleeping on their backs. This even includes things like speech.  How interesting!

She agreed that for safety purposes, it is best that he still sleep on his back.  But that if I am sitting right next to him for a nap, I should try to have him sleep on his stomach for a bit.  I actually had tried this before she mentioned it. Just as another way to give the back of his head a break.  Unfortunately, he is not a fan.  I have tried a few times since and he wakes up right away and fusses.  I guess I will keep trying.

She also wants me to try to put "interesting things" on his left to force him to look that way.  I honestly think he does look left and sometimes he even sleeps that way, but I am trying it anyway.  She said I could physically force him to look that way, but that it is not helping him learn that habit and willingly use those muscles.

So we are doing what we can.  He is willing to sit up more for longer periods of time.  He doesn't push his whole body back to lay down as much as he was doing.  Obviously, the main reason for these issues is the size of his head (which we can do nothing about).  We just have to keep working with him to help strengthen the muscles necessary and to prevent any further damage from happening.  We go back in a month for a follow up and another treatment.