On with the splint

It was a big day for Starbaby on Wednesday. We drove 2 hours to hospital for a foot check up with his amazing consuiltant and to collect his AFO splint to use in the day when he goes down to part time BnBs. We were geared up for 3 more weeks full time but his consultant is so happy with how well his little foot is doing, and how keen he is to be on his feet, that she decided it was best for him to go into his day splint today!

His foot is not a 'normal talipes' foot so she said from the first time we saw her that, combining that with the fact he is a bit older than most babies being treated (and so able to put weight on his foot more), he might need a slightly 'tweaked' approach.

 The splint already bringing its own challenges (hot sweaty foot and finding baby sized over knee length socks) but... he gets to move his feet independently in the day! I can sling him properly! Happy day. Also very happy that the little flexible 'gripper soles' shoes (starry, of course) that I bought him 2 months ago in readiness for this moment, fit perfectly on both his splinted foot and other foot.

We've looked forward to this moment for a long time but has no idea it was coming this week. I'm finding it a little hard to adjust to almost the whole of his lower leg and foot being encased in hard plastic... and knowing that this is going to be the way it is for at least 5 more years, possibly forever. It feels so unnatural to touch his foot and feel it so hard. But I know I'll get used to it in time.

Thankfully Starbaby seems fine in it, although we're having to give him breaks a few times a day for a change of socks and to dry the moisture that collects at the back of the splint. I'm hoping we might be able to arrange for some air holes to be made, or else I don't know how we're going to cope once the weather is warmer. He has very sensitive skin so I'm worried about it getting sore.

 But overall... things are good. It's great to be onto the next stage.