Alex's Brace update

Houseplantgirl · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 10:50 AM

So Alex's brace has been sorta a headache for me.
It's awkward and uncomfortable and just UGH.
He's only been able to wear it for 1-2 hours at night, before he melts down and I HAVE to take it off.
Then he promptly will roll over onto his tummy and curl up, tuck his feet/legs under him and go to sleep.
So, last night, I waited to put it on him, till 1:30, and he slept with it on till 9 am!!
He did sleep with me, and nurse several times thru the night, and it wasn't too bad for ME, I just put the *top* foot on me, so he'd be more comfortable.
So hopefully he's getting more used to it and will start sleeping better and longer with it on.

I cannot rememer if I posted pix of the contraption, so I'll post them here, just in case I didnt'.

"Why you take picture of me? I cute?"

"Mommy, why you put me in bed, it no dark and I no sleepy!"

"ok, I done now, plz take off!"

yoroshiku · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 10:56 AM

I'm glad you posted pics. Now I'm really confused. What part of his leg has the trouble? Is it the upper part....like the thighs? I was thinking that it was going to be more in the calves of his legs. If you can....or even want to take the time.....try to explain what those shoes do. I just can't envision it. Maybe I should just google the "bow-legged" topic and see what comes up.

Sorry to be such an inquisitive pain. Just curious. Glad to hear that you are coming up with ideas that work better so both you and Cutie Boy can get some SLEEP!!

Rubie · #3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 10:59 AM

aww, that does look so uncomfortable. It looks like he's doing better at night though, kind of. I hope he adjusts soon. Hugs

loveleap · #4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:00 AM

Well, that looks totally irritating! Poor baby.

He is so CUTE though!

I hope he adapts more and more to the brace so you can get this installment over with!
So are our babies feet supposed to be slightly pointed outward or straight? I wonder this because Maya's feet look like they point to the sides, but her pedi didn't mention anything and with that brace on Alex's feet look like they point out some.
My DH picks on me all the time and says I don't walk right because his feet are straight and parallel and mine point out.

Houseplantgirl · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:09 AM

Stef-it's his knees and feet. He is VERY pigeon toed, as well as bowlegged. They said that the shoes being at a 75 degree angle, will help turn his toes out, as well as help the bwlegged-ness.
I was confused too, but they know what they're talking about....so I have to trust. LOL

yoroshiku · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:14 AM

I will have to say that the "contraption" is basically cute. I was imagining that it would be metal and black straps and stuff. Alex just looks so cute and clueless about what must be going on. Okay...so it's the knee part. Now that makes sense when I look closer at the pics.

So it is basically like the legs would look if you rode a horse too much?? Well, you are doing great, MOM!! Now you'll know how to set other Moms minds at ease if they come upon a situation like this.

Keep rockin'!!!!!

bethram · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:15 AM

That does look uncomfortable! I was trying to figure out if there was some way he could sleep on his belly but I guess that wouldn't work at all with his feet/ankles flexed. Just out of curiosity, why did they cut the toes out of the shoes?

MonicaD · #8 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 11:18 AM

aww kisses to sweet alex, that does look uncomfy!

Shellby · #9 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 12:25 PM

They cut the toes out so you don't have to keep re-fitting it to shoes that fit.

My sister had to have her brace because of the same reasons. She wasn't allowed to sit ...hmmm...can't think of a way to describe how she sat, so I'm going to post a picture of Tate demonstrating. She sat like this all the time, which aggravated her pigeon toed and bowleggedness.

I wonder, does Alex sleep like that? Or in a modified position of that? Just curious.

AshtonnJacksonsmom · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 12:30 PM

Wow, no wonder he was having a hard time sleeping. That looks pretty uncomfortable. He is so precious though. He is being such a trooper, you are too mom!

Lulu14 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 12:51 PM

He is just gorgeous!! How many hours do they want it on total? I'm glad he had a better night! Hopefully it will be done and over before you know it. Hang in there momma!!

Caseydilla · #12 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:18 PM

That does look uncomfortable to sleep in. He sure does look so sweet, though. He looks like a cute little snowboarder.

I hope he is able to get more adjusted to wearing it.

cabriolian · #13 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 01:25 PM

I was thinking he looked kinda surferish. It is cute, but does look like it would not be nice to sleep with.
How long does he have to wear them, a time or until they start correcting?

Stacey & OHC · #14 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 02:14 PM

oh I am glad that you explained it more, I was confused also.

Poor little guy, Chloe sleeps all tucked in also, she would NOT like that!

That "W" sit position is really bad for kids legs, knees and the like, when I am at school, I never let the kids sit like that.

chicagoirish · #15 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 02:49 PM

Perfect way to describe it, the W position, aidan likes to sit like that, but his legs are tucked in a little more, i do try to readjust him if i see him like that

I was imagining the leg braces that Forest Gump had to wear when he was a kid, I never imagined a bar at his feet. that poor thing, I wouldn't want to sleep with that either. Glad you guys are making the best of it, he looks like such a sweetie!

So yeah, how long does he have to wear those, a time period, or more likely, til he doesn't need them anymore? any general timeframes?

Nelleebellee · #16 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 04:47 PM

Poor baby. I hope he gets used to them. I must say, he is super cute though!!!
My friend's son had to wear the same brace but it was all day everyday....I'm pretty sure that it was for his hips.

Houseplantgirl · #17 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:11 PM

LMAO!! I call it his Forrest Gump brace too!!
haha!
Yes, Alex does sit in the W position ALOT!!
When he sleeps, his legs are more UNDER him, like this:

But now that I think about it, it IS pretty close to the W position.
hmmmm.

He has to wear it for at least 6 months, then we go back for a re-check.
The Dr. didn't say HOW MANY hours pre night he should wear them, but we are aiming for 8 hours.

They cut the toes out of the shoes, so that when his feet grow, his toes can hang over and we don't have to get new shoes on the metal bar. Also I think it helps to have the toes cut out, so that they can rivit the bar to the soles of the shoes easier.

reeree22 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-08-2008, 05:54 PM

I'm glad he's adjusting, since that does look uncomfy! He's such a cutie in the pics, that you can't even tell that he doesn't like it! I hope that 6 months does the trick, so he can go back to his normal sleep habits!