Re: Debating on helmet

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome. I think you are in the toughest position because

choosing to band a baby with mild plagio is a difficult decision. My daughter

was more in the moderate to severe so we didn't think twice about banding

her. One of our moderators is from the Philly area and she used the

STARband. She thinks VERY highly of her ortho and feels really good about the

correction that her twins got using the STARband. Does your baby have any

facial assymetries or ear misalignment? I think those are the situations that

could lead to other medical conditions down the line if left untreated. If

there is just some mild flatness you may have very good look with PT for the

tort and repositioning.

The band does cause some extra sweating, but you learn to adapt and adjust to

help your baby stay cool during the summer months. Don't let that factor hold

you back if you feel strongly about the band - your baby is at a very good

age to get good correction.

Best wishes to you and please let us know what you decide to do.

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

-

I'm going to reply because we have chosen NOT to get a band/helmet for

our daughter, and I heard from very few that made the same decision.

When we went for our referral, I was gung-ho ready to have her casted,

but the Pediatric Neurosurgeon we went to said that for several years he

banded babies on a regular basis. Then he was unable to get the bands

for a period of time and he noticed that his patients' heads were

correcting at the same rate. Since then he has stopped banding. He was

extremely nice and knowledgeable, and completely willing to refer us to

someone that would band her if that's what we decided. It's a decision I

re-think everyday (and I try not to scrutinize her head that often), but

he assured us that you rarely see kids over 2 with noticeable facial

assymetry.

My thought is that plagiocephaly today is like feet problems were to my

generation as kids. They used to put braces on kids feet for turning in

or out.... and then they discovered that most kids outgrow that problem.

Those that didn't were able to be corrected later to the same degree as

if they had started earlier. Now you rarely see a kid in leg/feet

braces.

I don't mean to open a can of worms, or cause any emotional reactions to

people that have chosen to band their kids. I just want you to know that

whether you do or whether you don't, there are plenty of us out here to

support you either way. It's not an easy decision either way, and I pray

that I am not making a big mistake. Where we live was a factor (deep

South Texas), as it's already summer with temperatures in the mid-90's

for the past 3 weeks. I don't know how we would get her to stay in the

band when it's really summer and over 100 everyday.

Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

& Katrina

[Guest guest]

:

Would you mind keeping us updated on Katrina? Many parents join our

group who decide not to band or helmet, but we never hear from them

again - we have so many members wondering IF their child's head will

actually round out on it's own over time, etc. so it would be great

to have input from one who has actually gone with the wait and see

approach.

Best of luck with it all - you've put a lot of thought into whether

or not to band/helmet - Mommy usually knows best!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCgrad

MI

> -

>

> I'm going to reply because we have chosen NOT to get a band/helmet

for

> our daughter, and I heard from very few that made the same

decision.

> When we went for our referral, I was gung-ho ready to have her

casted,

> but the Pediatric Neurosurgeon we went to said that for several

years he

> banded babies on a regular basis. Then he was unable to get the

bands

> for a period of time and he noticed that his patients' heads were

> correcting at the same rate. Since then he has stopped banding.

He was

> extremely nice and knowledgeable, and completely willing to refer

us to

> someone that would band her if that's what we decided. It's a

decision I

> re-think everyday (and I try not to scrutinize her head that

often), but

> he assured us that you rarely see kids over 2 with noticeable facial

> assymetry.

>

> My thought is that plagiocephaly today is like feet problems were

to my

> generation as kids. They used to put braces on kids feet for

turning in

> or out.... and then they discovered that most kids outgrow that

problem.

> Those that didn't were able to be corrected later to the same

degree as

> if they had started earlier. Now you rarely see a kid in leg/feet

> braces.

>

> I don't mean to open a can of worms, or cause any emotional

reactions to

> people that have chosen to band their kids. I just want you to

know that

> whether you do or whether you don't, there are plenty of us out

here to

> support you either way. It's not an easy decision either way, and

I pray

> that I am not making a big mistake. Where we live was a factor

(deep

> South Texas), as it's already summer with temperatures in the mid-

90's

> for the past 3 weeks. I don't know how we would get her to stay in

the

> band when it's really summer and over 100 everyday.

>

> Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

>

> & Katrina

[Guest guest]

,

I am so glad to hear that you have chosen to reposition. I hadn't

realized that you had made your decision. Please be sure to keep us

up to date on how Katrina does! I wish you luck with it!!!

On a more personal note, I just wanted to say that my younger brother

wore braces on his legs for years and also underwent numerous

surgeries to correct his feet and legs. For years the doctors said

that most likely they would have to break his legs and reset them in

order for them to ever be straight. Luckily his surgeries and braces

worked enough that it never came to that. My parents didn't put him

through this because it was a cosmetic issue, but because he had a

functional impairment. Had they left it alone, it never would have

corrected on its own and he never would have gotten so much

correction if they did the surgeries later because his bones would

have already grown in the wrong direction. Simply put, he never

would have walked. I'm not exactly sure why I'm spouting all of

this. I guess after seeing my parents and my brother go through

this for 16 years before he got the all clear, I didn't think it was

a fair analogy between helmets and leg braces.

Anyway, I apologize if I offend. I also do not mean to open a can of

worms! In fact, I know the decision whether or not to band is very

personal and I support each and every members decision because only

they know what is right for their family. And I really don't think

anyone will have an emotional reaction towards your post in regards

to banding their child. In fact, I bet I am the only emotional

nunzio to reply, and thats only because of what my brother went

through with his feet and legs.

Best of luck to you, and Katrina! You guys are well on your

way to a nice round noggin! Be sure to keep us updated!!

Niki

Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

> -

>

> I'm going to reply because we have chosen NOT to get a band/helmet

for

> our daughter, and I heard from very few that made the same

decision.

> When we went for our referral, I was gung-ho ready to have her

casted,

> but the Pediatric Neurosurgeon we went to said that for several

years he

> banded babies on a regular basis. Then he was unable to get the

bands

> for a period of time and he noticed that his patients' heads were

> correcting at the same rate. Since then he has stopped banding.

He was

> extremely nice and knowledgeable, and completely willing to refer

us to

> someone that would band her if that's what we decided. It's a

decision I

> re-think everyday (and I try not to scrutinize her head that

often), but

> he assured us that you rarely see kids over 2 with noticeable facial

> assymetry.

>

> My thought is that plagiocephaly today is like feet problems were

to my

> generation as kids. They used to put braces on kids feet for

turning in

> or out.... and then they discovered that most kids outgrow that

problem.

> Those that didn't were able to be corrected later to the same

degree as

> if they had started earlier. Now you rarely see a kid in leg/feet

> braces.

>

> I don't mean to open a can of worms, or cause any emotional

reactions to

> people that have chosen to band their kids. I just want you to

know that

> whether you do or whether you don't, there are plenty of us out

here to

> support you either way. It's not an easy decision either way, and

I pray

> that I am not making a big mistake. Where we live was a factor

(deep

> South Texas), as it's already summer with temperatures in the mid-

90's

> for the past 3 weeks. I don't know how we would get her to stay in

the

> band when it's really summer and over 100 everyday.

>

> Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

>

> & Katrina

[Guest guest]

,

I think each and every one of us have gone through the what if scenarios, and

some of us, even once getting the band, wonder, are we doing the right thing?

This is such an emotional, and very personal decision that only as

individuals can we decide what is the best route for our kids. It sounds as

if you have put a lot of thought and information together and have decided

that repositioning is the best choice for you. I hope that others can feel

that this is an option as well, and continue to follow your tips and

suggestions for what seems to work best for you. Please keep us updated on

Katrina's progress- wishing you all the best!

I did want to share a story on the leg braces though: The daycare

goes to was pretty much shocked to see him in the helmet, and I explained it

to them as best I could. The Director told me that when she was born her

legs were also twisted and needed braces. Her mother did not want to see her

baby in casts and was afraid of what people might think. As a result, as a 5

year old she was forced to get leg braces. She lived in Alaska and walked to

the bus stop- the steel froze from the ice! She was so embarrassed as a 5

year old having to be so different, and was a bit resentful that her mother

did not spare her this humilation by taking care of the problem when she

wouldn't have been so impacted by the situation, but rather her mother spared

herself whatever humilation she felt she would endure by having a child with

casts on. I only say this because you mentioned that sometimes things like

leg problems can be worked out later on, but I feel the severity of the

situation dealt with at a later age not only affects the child physically,

but emotionally as well.

Also, a book by Karmel Ross shows photos of children (with plagio

caused by tort) that had noticeable facial asymmetry, and they were I would

guess anywhere from 10-14 years of age. They do a split of the photo and

show the asymmetry. Just wanted to share that and keep you as informed as

possible. I know that each case is so very different, so only the parent can

decide if the asymmetry is severe enough (in our case we felt it was) to

decide to band.

Good luck to you and please keep us posted. Although there are so many posts

about banding that it seems that's all we're about, we are also supportive of

repositioners and want you to achieve success without a doubt!!!! Please

continue to post- you will be a great repositioning asset so that others can

learn from your achievements!

' Mom

[Guest guest]

Niki-

I'm sorry if I offended you.... definitely not my intention. I was

thinking more of issues like my cousin had. His parents (upon advice of

their doctors) poked holes in the toes of his shoes and tied them

together. He had to sleep with them on to keep his legs from turning

out. I also knew a another little boy that wore a brace attached to the

bottom of his shoes to turn his feet out. It seems like pigeon toes and

bow-legs were the fear of my parents' generation for their kids.

I realize there are very serious cases out there (like your brother) that

probably wouldn't improve without assistance, and I'm so glad we live in

a time where technology can help us out like it is. I'm just a bit

skeptical with the mild and moderate cases.... are the marketers playing

on our fears? As parents, we want to do EVERYTHING we can to help our

kids --- and sometimes it's so hard to do NOTHING, even if that is right.

Is it a control issue? Since the clinical studies are just now being

done, it's hard to know what is right.

I guess the best any of us can hope for is to gather the facts, make the

best decision we can, pray a lot, and apologize for any mistakes we make.

Best of luck to everyone.

[Guest guest]

Niki-

I too wore leg braces. I have been plagued with ankle/knee problems

my whole life. I have had joints scoped and ligaments reconstructed

so many times, I can't even tell you. I think it's time again for

another surgery actually! My knees are dislocating! Anyhow, I also

didn't think the leg braces were a fair analogy and it actually hurt

my feelings because I had been through so much. I'm sure polio

vaccines weren't a good idea at the time either - hehe! These bands

have been around for how long - 15, 16 years.

My cousin's son had legbraces about 2 years ago and they did wonders

for him. yes, they still do them!

> > -

> >

> > I'm going to reply because we have chosen NOT to get a

band/helmet

> for

> > our daughter, and I heard from very few that made the same

> decision.

> > When we went for our referral, I was gung-ho ready to have her

> casted,

> > but the Pediatric Neurosurgeon we went to said that for several

> years he

> > banded babies on a regular basis. Then he was unable to get the

> bands

> > for a period of time and he noticed that his patients' heads were

> > correcting at the same rate. Since then he has stopped

banding.

> He was

> > extremely nice and knowledgeable, and completely willing to

refer

> us to

> > someone that would band her if that's what we decided. It's a

> decision I

> > re-think everyday (and I try not to scrutinize her head that

> often), but

> > he assured us that you rarely see kids over 2 with noticeable

facial

> > assymetry.

> >

> > My thought is that plagiocephaly today is like feet problems

were

> to my

> > generation as kids. They used to put braces on kids feet for

> turning in

> > or out.... and then they discovered that most kids outgrow that

> problem.

> > Those that didn't were able to be corrected later to the same

> degree as

> > if they had started earlier. Now you rarely see a kid in

leg/feet

> > braces.

> >

> > I don't mean to open a can of worms, or cause any emotional

> reactions to

> > people that have chosen to band their kids. I just want you to

> know that

> > whether you do or whether you don't, there are plenty of us out

> here to

> > support you either way. It's not an easy decision either way,

and

> I pray

> > that I am not making a big mistake. Where we live was a factor

> (deep

> > South Texas), as it's already summer with temperatures in the

mid-

> 90's

> > for the past 3 weeks. I don't know how we would get her to stay

in

> the

> > band when it's really summer and over 100 everyday.

> >

> > Good luck to you. Keep us posted.

> >

> > & Katrina

[Guest guest]

,

Wow, a sore spot for your mom or you??!!! That sounds so painful! Slicing

and dicing doesn't sound too pretty! It's funny you mention that- yet

another woman, a co-worker, shared almost the same story about leg braces for

her son, who did get them, and people thought she abused her baby (this was

about 30 years ago). She said it was very difficult because it wasn't that

common and people would ask her if she dropped the baby, etc. Your mom

probably went through that too- what a tough cookie! Apple doesn't fall far

from the tree huh? How's that appeal going?

' Mom

[Guest guest]

>The Director told me that when she was born her

> legs were also twisted and needed braces. Her mother did not want

to see her

> baby in casts and was afraid of what people might think. As a

result, as a 5

> year old she was forced to get leg braces. She lived in Alaska

and walked to

> the bus stop- the steel froze from the ice!

OMG ! I don't blame her for moving to Florida after that!

I don't remember having braces. My mom doesn't like to talk about

it. She was only 22 and had 2 very young kids. It was hard on her

talking care of us let along my crooked feet! I walked at a young

age, 9 months, but it was quite obvious that I was going to have

problems. Boy were they right. My ankles have been sliced and

diced at least 7 or 8 times plus 2 straight years in pt as a

teenager. It never has been tramatic for me, but it is still a sore

spot for my mom - and I am 30!

Dane's mom (2/14)

[Guest guest]

> we have so many members wondering IF their child's head will

> actually round out on it's own over time, etc. so it would be great

> to have input from one who has actually gone with the wait and see

> approach.

> >

>

>I can say, that with Kira(my 2 yr old), my pediatrician didn't want

to correct it, she said you won't notice it when her hair grows. Well

I have to say, once kira was up and about and not sitting in a swing

or infant carseat...her head corrected it self and I can't see any

signs of the " flat spot " . But it's one thing when you have a chlid

with long thick hair, and it's another when you have a child that

doesn't. Makes me wonder if sean's will straighten out, but I don't

want to wait til it's too late to band him.

~Corinne

[Guest guest]

Corinne -

Did Kira have any facial or ear asymmetry with her plagio? We saw

some success with the flat spot during repositioning, but the

asymmetry never moved until we got the band.

TIA,

>

> > we have so many members wondering IF their child's head will

> > actually round out on it's own over time, etc. so it would be

great

> > to have input from one who has actually gone with the wait and

see

> > approach.

> > >

> >

> >I can say, that with Kira(my 2 yr old), my pediatrician didn't

want

> to correct it, she said you won't notice it when her hair grows.

Well

> I have to say, once kira was up and about and not sitting in a

swing

> or infant carseat...her head corrected it self and I can't see any

> signs of the " flat spot " . But it's one thing when you have a chlid

> with long thick hair, and it's another when you have a child that

> doesn't. Makes me wonder if sean's will straighten out, but I

don't

> want to wait til it's too late to band him.

>

> ~Corinne

[Guest guest]

> Corinne -

> Did Kira have any facial or ear asymmetry with her plagio? We saw

> some success with the flat spot during repositioning, but the

> asymmetry never moved until we got the band.

> TIA,

>

>

>No, kira didn't have that at all, just the flat area. is

different, his right ear looks like it is up further, but no facial

asymmetry.

~Corinne