Having a hard time with the STARband

January 30, 2002

Hi--my son is 6 1/2 mos. old and we received his STARband on Monday

afternoon. So far we have had nothing but trouble. I think the band

is too loose and told the orthotist so; he added a little padding at

the base around the back of the nack but it still shifts. He told

me, and I confirmed this talking to Orthomerica today, that it should

be somewhat loose so he will have room to grow. But I don't see how

they can classify this as active remolding if it's not actually

pressing on (molding) his head, and we're just waiting for the head

to grow? Plus the cutout for the face seems too small, it's a squared

shape and keeps slipping over his eyes.

But my biggest concerns are that my son is not tolerating the band.

Yesterday we did one hour on, one off; today it's 2 hours on, 1 off.

He fusses and cries and thumps on the band. He's short tempered and

seems to have a hard time doing his regular activities. When I lay

him on his back in the band I think it may be hurting bis neck. I

can barely feed him in the band, because it makes his chin touch his

chest when he has it on in his high chair, so it's hard to get food

in his mouth. He's not eating or drinking as much as usual, and has

been spitting up a lot, which he does when he is upset. Tomorrow he

is supposed to begin sleeping and napping in the band. I don't know

what to do or where to turn. We have an appointment next week with

the orthotist for adjustment but by then he is supposed to be wearing

the band 23 hours a day.

I'm afraid I've made a really poor decision here. We decided on the

STAR over the DOC because of distance--4 1/2 hours each way driving

if we had gotten the DOC, plus it cost three times as much. But

maybe we would have had the same problems with that as well. I also

feel like I am giving up the rest of my son's babyhood, since he'll

likely be walking by the time he comes out of the band. I can't

snuggle him anymore because he keeps bopping me in the face with the

helmet.

Any words of advice, anyone? Please?

mom to Asher 7/15/01, banded 1/28/02

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