Mum thanks readers as £1,000 mark is reached for baby Baker

Rachel Wilkinson with baby son Baker Wilkinson

The family of baby Baker Wilkinson, who needs special treatment to treat is “flat head syndrome”, have thank Rochdale Online readers after announcing that £1,000 has been raised towards funding the treatment.

The 12-week-old baby boy was diagnosed with the condition shortly after birth, which causes an asymmetric flattening of the head and can lead to various problems with his physical development.

Mum Rachel Wilkinson said she is “over the moon” to see that they are almost halfway to affording his treatment, which will include a baby helmet to correct to structure of his head.

Rachel said the aim of getting £2,300 is more of a reality after seeing such compassion and generosity from the local community. 

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/104045/baby-baker%E2%80%99s-appeal-after-flat-head-syndrome-diagnosis

Rachel said was taken aback to find that her baby’s treatment was classed as “cosmetic” and would set them back further than they are able to afford.

She added: “People would think it was available on the NHS. We thought it would be. It’s quite strange that it would be classed as a cosmetic treatment when it is clearly something that he needs.”

“Baker’s condition has so many possible issues, it can even unbalance his ears, making it very difficult to get him glasses if we should ever need them.

“He has a tendency to only look one way because the shape of his head restricts him.”

Typically, babies with Plagiocephaly develop a ‘parallelogram-shaped’ skull, with flattening of back of the left or right side of the skull, frontal bossing on the same side as the flattening and bulging on the opposite side at the back. There is sometimes a tendency to only look in one direction, as the neck muscles may be tighter on this side. This is known as Torticollis and requires therapy to help correct it.

It can also cause problem with his jaw which could become a problem when he starts teething and eating.

Specialists will be able to help reduce the severity of Baker’s deformity with orthotic treatment after a few months, but first he will need the helmet to help him start his recovery.

To donate, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/2dt7egv8