RE: Fischer is getting a DOC band

[Guest guest]

,

Please believe me when I say that you are not different from anyone here - I

think almost everyone here was sad when they first found out that their baby

was going to need a band. It's OK to feel a little sad and I can honestly say

that the sadness does go away and the whole thing becomes easier and easier

with each passing day and week. As you see that head getting rounder and

rounder you will be very happy with your decision and I predict you will have

no regrets. Your baby is going to adjust to wearing the band in record time -

it will probably take you longer to adjust then your baby! As far as the

stares go, again I think most here can relate. I was very nervous the first

time I took out. I wasn't sure what to expect and how I would handle

the stares and comments. Guess what - it was easier then I thought. I took

the stares and comments as a chance to educate. When people stared I either

stared back or if they were close enough I would say, " She's cute isn't she " .

Then people would either agree and walk away or agree and ask about her

helmet. Either way I get a compliment on my gorgeous baby!! (hee, hee)

Everyone handles it differently. We have some people that choose to take the

helmet off when out in public or when out in certain public places, but not

others. Some people simply ignore. Some people carry brochures to hand out

when people ask. Some people take the opportunity to explain plagio and how

to prevent it. (that was my tactic) It is all up to you. You may not believe

this, but by the time was done we thought she looked kind of strange

without her helmet on - like she was uncommonly small - LOL! You will adjust

and this group will help you - that is what we are here for! You're going to

do great and you will be very happy with your DOCband. Fischer is going to

look great in no time and since he is so young the time will be short and it

will fly by - it really will. Hang in there - allow yourself some time to be

sad, but then decide that you are doing the right thing for your child and

that someday he may even thank you for not letting him grow up with a crooked

head - then you will be happy and proud!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I cried for the first couple of weeks leading up to the helmet myself. I

think most of the parents here felt sad or overwhelmed when their child was

diagnosed- you are certainly not alone in feeling that way. I have to

admit, we were told it would be 2.5 to 3 months in the helmet for our son

and I thought that sounded like forever! It's already been about a month

and a half now with it and the time has literally flown right by- and we've

seen some great correction already.

I was very apprehensive about taking him out at first, but this group helped

to give me some courage. We have received some stares, but mostly people

have been very supportive. My husband was carrying my son in the mall one

day and another dad came right up to him- my heart sank because I could only

imagine the comments that would be made- instead the dad talked with my

husband about how their child had gone through the helmet. Another man at

home depot came up to us and asked " is that helmet because he sleeps on his

back " , I answered yes, not wanting to go into full explanation, and he said

" oh, my grand-daughter is getting one, it's great that you're doing this for

him and never second guess yourself " . Needless to say, I was amazed by both

of those reactions and then was upset with myself for initially picturing

the worst.

My son was 4 1/2 months when he started wearing the helmet, and has gone

through a couple of big growth spurts so we were lucky to see some

improvement rather quickly. It is not an easy process, but at the same time

it is not nearly as bad as I had anticipated. People reacted far better

than I expected, and many will come up and just ask you questions.

Good luck, Fischer will do great, and so will you! Good luck with your

move!!

~, 's mom (6 months)

[Guest guest]

don't feel bad at all- I cried for 2 weeks after got casted but after about a week of having the band I realized how cute he looked in it and how special he was and it became very easy. Our first public appearance was scary but we really just got some stares and a lot of sympathetic smiles-we didn't get questions until we had been to the grocery store for the millionth time and the same people saw us and wanted to know what was up. Also there is a great little hand out you can print here is the link Click here: : Plagiocephaly Files if that one doesn't take you right there click here then click not he folder that says HELP FOLDER and you will see where you can print a little hand out that you can give to people that ask questions or just stare a lot and I found that quite helpful in the beginning. Click here: : Plagiocephaly Files . It does get easier-but don't feel bad about the way you feel we have all been there. You re a great mommy doing really well so just keep your chin up and let us know how it goes. The 6 weeks will be over before you know it. As far as breast feeding- I would suppose it would depend in your hold but you shouldn't have any problems with that. Clothing-if you have a habit of changing Fischer frequently throughout the day then clothing with snap fronts or bigger neck holes but I usually just took off the band to dress if the outfit I had for him didn't fit over the helmet. It is all of 2 minutes and I don't think it was an issue. The greatest problem you will encounter is his body adjusting to the temp change-he will likely sweat a lot in the beginning for about 2 weeks so you want to make sure you dress him cooler-maybe a ceiling fan or small table fan in his room to help keep him cool at night. You will do great-let us know.

Beck

[Guest guest]

,

Your not alone! Many of us that talk about the band so nonchalantly is because we are actually doing it already- but the before process is by far the most painful- your scared, your sad, you feel like why my baby, your anxious, your angry at the stares you can see will become your new way of life......don't worry! Your pre-band nightmares are much worse than the real deal! I educated myself from this great group, saw all the cuties in their bands, and it still didn't prepare me for seeing my own child wearing it- I felt so sad for him and burst into tears! But he could have cared less, and after a few days, it was like, ok, this is going to help him and I can do this! Focus on the positive effects it will have and not the negative impact (stares, comments) you feel will overwhelm you. People are really not that mean about it, and if they are, who cares, just remind yourself how really minor this is and be glad that it can be treated so easily. You will come into your own as soon as you get the band and start your daily routines- it is inevitable- soon you'll be calming the waters for someone else that is starting out and telling them its not that bad too!

Good luck!

' Mom