A HAPPY beaming baby, little Logan was the perfect addition to his family.

But soon after he was born, his mum Kate Hirst noticed that something wasn’t quite right.

The tot only seemed to face one way and his head started to go a little misshapen.

Kate, 26, from Helme Lane in Meltham, discovered that her son was suffering from plagiocephaly, a condition known as flat-head syndrome.

She is now appealing to the community to help raise money for her son’s expensive treatment as the NHS will not fund it.

The single mum-of-four is now busy planning a series of fundraising activities in a bid to raise the £2,000 needed to buy her son a specialist helmet.

Little Logan Crotty was born on July 9, weighing 61b 11oz.

Kate said: “Shortly after he was born I noticed he always seemed to favour turning his head to the right – he hardly ever seemed to turn to look the other way.

“I mentioned it to various doctors, midwives and health visitors and I was told that he probably preferred that side and that it was nothing to worry about.

“As the weeks went by I started to notice his head going a little flat and misshapen.”

Kate told her midwife about this at Logan’s six week postnatal check and was assured that many babies get flat spots and this would most likely right itself.

However when she saw her doctor she decided to mention her son’s head and neck again.

The doctor diagnosed tortocollis – a condition where the neck muscles are twisted – but failed to comment on his head shape.

It was only when Kate got another opinion at the Steeper Clinic in Leeds, which specialises in treating plagiocephaly, that Logan was diagnosed.

Kate said: “He had a scan and I was told that Logan had severe plagiocephaly and that his neck condition had helped cause this.

“I was more angry than anything else because no-one had listened to me before.

“The treatment is expensive and I was quite upset by the fact that I was not going to be able to get this on the NHS. It says this condition is ‘cosmetic’ but that’s not true as plagiocephaly is linked to developmental delays, facial asymmetry and, in bad cases, can cause alignment problems with jaw and teeth.

“Logan’s face is already out of alignment and one of his ears is further forward than the others meaning that at the moment he would be unable to wear glasses.”

To improve his condition, the four-month-old needs a special STARband helmet.

He would have to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day for up to six months, which will help re-mould his skull. The helmet is made in America and has to be specially moulded to Logan’s head so it is expensive.

Kate said: “The helmet will force his head to grow in a more rounded shape.

“He will also be able to turn better, although he need physio for his tortocollis.

“The clinic in Leeds arranges for the helmets to be made but I have to raise the money for it myself.

“I think it’s really important that the treatment is available to everybody. At the moment it’s a postcode lottery and its not right that people are having to find the money themselves.” Kate, who also has children Jordan, 10, Lily-Mae, five, and two-year-old Leoni, is now looking at fundraising ideas and is appealing for locals to get in touch and show their support.

She said: “I’ve got a few ideas planned, like a raffle and I’m making star-shaped crayons to sell at school.

“If anyone can help me that would be great. Any extra money I raise will go to the Headstart4babies charity, which gives support and advice to families dealing with the condition.”

To help Kate contact her on 07873 118446 or visit her webpage www.justgiving.com/STARbandforLogan