Re: newcomer -just cast for starband

[Guest guest]

Kia-

Welcome to the group. Our son's are the exact same age down to the

day. I know exactly what your going through. We just started our

STAR band 2.5 weeks ago and it is going very well. My son Ian has

severe plagio and their not even sure the band will work. Like you I

had so many other concerns in the beginning with the boys, (by the

way I have twins) that his flat head, and lack of tummy time seemed

the farthest thing from my mind. The good new is our ped caught it

early our nuerosurgeon diganosed it immediately and into the band we

went. Where are you going for treatment? We live in Sacramento, CA

and travel to Stanford to be fitted. We also did not use the casting

procedure , they have a new technology that scans the baby's head

(just like a supermarket scanner) and the image of his head comes up

3D on the computer and then the cast/mold of his head is made. Be

sure to ask your ortho if they have this new technology it is much

easier. The only bad part is they put a little see thru stocking on

their head so that they are able to see out. Their are a few tears

but not to traumatic. My son is doing great in his band and is

sleeping wonderful in it. The worst part of the whole situation is

the commute to the ortho and the smell (we live in a hot climate) so

it does take a lot to clean out. I know what you feel on the guilt

but believe me your doing the right thing. Love to talk to you more

about your son.

-Ian

> Hi all,

>

> My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week. He

> had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

thank

> goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will be

7

> months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

am

> worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like because

we

> are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also feel

> completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me that

> this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it seemed

> like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful diaper

> rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

will

> never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will be

> all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

breech

> baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued by

> guilt about their child's head shape?

>

> Kia

[Guest guest]

Hi Kia & welcome to our group!

Oh, MOST of us in the group have been plagued by the same exact guilt

as you are currently. Please do NOT blame yourself for this! You've

done everythign the way Dr.s told you to do, you tried to reposition

him, and now you are getting your son the treatment to help correct

this problem! Instead of feeling guilty, you should be very proud of

yourself . You're doing everything right. These guilty feelings

are very very common though, all I can say is it's not your fault!

Trust me

Next, Cole is still plenty young enough to see great results with his

new band!!! He'll still be hitting many growth spurts in the mos to

come. My daughter didn't begin her DOCband treatment til she was

11.5 mos old with severe plagio, we still rec'd very good correcction

in just 4.5 mos time! 7 mos is a common age to begin treatment, most

parents are very pleased with their child's improvement, as I'm sure

you will be with Cole .

We are happy you are with us, please let us know when Cole's band is

in & how he (and you!) adjust.

Don't beat yourself up anymore!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

> Hi all,

>

> My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week. He

> had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

thank

> goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will be

7

> months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

am

> worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like because

we

> are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also feel

> completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me that

> this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it seemed

> like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful diaper

> rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

will

> never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will be

> all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

breech

> baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued by

> guilt about their child's head shape?

>

> Kia

[Guest guest]

Anyone else plagued by

> guilt about their child's head shape?

>

*Raising my hand!* I think its safe to assume that each and every

one of here have had to deal with our own guilt feelings, to one

degree or another. My plagio babies also happen to be twins, and I

used to feel like this was all my fault. It took a long time for me

to realize that I wasn't to blame and it wasn't my fault. And you

know what...its not your fault either. Its easier said then done,

but you shouldn't feel guilty at all! You did the best you could

with the information you had at the time, we all did!

My twins were about 8 months old when we received their STARbands.

My daughter, Kaylie, had a mild case of plagio, with some facial

assym. My son, Danny, had a mild to moderate case of brachycephaly.

I really can't say enough things about our ortho, he was a very

educated and knowledgeable man with tons of experience. Danny wore

his band for 3 months, and Kaylie for 4 months. They both received

an awesome amount of correction, and if you were to see them now, no

one would ever know that they didn't always have these beautifully

round heads. Where are you located? Maybe someone here in our group

has used the same ortho as you and could share their experiences with

you.

Good luck Kia, to you and Cole. Let us know when his STARband comes

in and how you all are adjusting to it. And again, welcome to the

group!

Niki

Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

Phila., PA

> Hi all,

>

> My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week. He

> had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

thank

> goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will be

7

> months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

am

> worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like because

we

> are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also feel

> completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me that

> this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it seemed

> like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful diaper

> rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

will

> never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will be

> all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

breech

> baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued by

> guilt about their child's head shape?

>

> Kia

[Guest guest]

My daughter is about to be 14 months old and she was just cast for a

helmet. I also feel guilty because I waited this long to start the

treatment. I began to look into this when she was about 6 months old

but her pediatrician also told me to wait it out and see if the

problem would correct itself. It has gotten much better, but is

still noticeable. I wish that I had pushed her doctor for a referral

sooner. Now my daughter will be in treatment for a minimum of 6

months and all I can do is pray that she will have at least some

improvement. Anything will be better than nothing! I tell myself

that the time will fly by and it will be worth it in the end. Good

luck!

> Anyone else plagued by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> *Raising my hand!* I think its safe to assume that each and every

> one of here have had to deal with our own guilt feelings, to one

> degree or another. My plagio babies also happen to be twins, and I

> used to feel like this was all my fault. It took a long time for

me

> to realize that I wasn't to blame and it wasn't my fault. And you

> know what...its not your fault either. Its easier said then done,

> but you shouldn't feel guilty at all! You did the best you could

> with the information you had at the time, we all did!

>

> My twins were about 8 months old when we received their STARbands.

> My daughter, Kaylie, had a mild case of plagio, with some facial

> assym. My son, Danny, had a mild to moderate case of

brachycephaly.

> I really can't say enough things about our ortho, he was a very

> educated and knowledgeable man with tons of experience. Danny wore

> his band for 3 months, and Kaylie for 4 months. They both received

> an awesome amount of correction, and if you were to see them now,

no

> one would ever know that they didn't always have these beautifully

> round heads. Where are you located? Maybe someone here in our

group

> has used the same ortho as you and could share their experiences

with

> you.

>

> Good luck Kia, to you and Cole. Let us know when his STARband

comes

> in and how you all are adjusting to it. And again, welcome to the

> group!

>

> Niki

> Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

> Phila., PA

>

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> > (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week.

He

> > had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

> thank

> > goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will

be

> 7

> > months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

> am

> > worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like

because

> we

> > are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also

feel

> > completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> > head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> > thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me

that

> > this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> > asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> > round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> > sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> > seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it

seemed

> > like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful

diaper

> > rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> > breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> > problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> > head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

> will

> > never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will

be

> > all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

> breech

> > baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> > there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued

by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> > Kia

[Guest guest]

Don't feel bad, you are not the only one on a guilt trip! I felt so

guilty after my daughter was diagnosed that I had my tubes tied so I

could " hurt anymore kids " . Can you say severe depression. my 2nd

child almost died at birth due to RDS and oligihydroamnios (low

amniotic fluid) and had to be vented for 10 days. My 3rd had Bell's

Palsy and 4th, Sydney has severe intrauterine pagiocephaly. All of

which, directly, yes directly were the fault of my womb! How that

for a one way ticket on the guilt trip express. My hubby, God love

him, is a wonderful man and told me that God gave me these children

because I could handle it and having hanidicapped children (yes, two

are handicapped) makes me a special person. He says I was given

Sydney (she was a souvenior from vacation...oops!) for a special

reason. I have since learned that it is not my fault that my

children are different from others. Recently, my 6 year old, who has

a resp. handicap and is used to people staring at him, caught someone

staring at HIS baby in the store. He tells them " God isn't finished

with her yet. It's okay " So maybe our children were given to us

this way to teach the rest of the whole that being different isn't

all that bad. Forgive the sermon, but my 6 year olds comment has

just inspired me. , Mom to Sydney Banded on 6-5-02

-- In Plagiocephaly@y..., " krippel2 " <kia@v...> wrote:

> Hi all,

>

> My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week. He

> had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

thank

> goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will be

7

> months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

am

> worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like because

we

> are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also feel

> completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me that

> this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it seemed

> like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful diaper

> rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

will

> never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will be

> all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

breech

> baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued by

> guilt about their child's head shape?

>

> Kia

[Guest guest]

Wow... twins must keep you so busy! My son was cast for the STARBand

last Tuesday in Norfolk, VA (we live in burg... just over an

hour away). They used the old technique, but it wasn't really too

bad. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of his helmet, and I'm

hoping he adjusts to it quickly (and that I do too!). Thanks for the

supportive words.

Kia

>

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> > (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week.

He

> > had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

> thank

> > goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will

be

> 7

> > months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

> am

> > worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like

because

> we

> > are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also

feel

> > completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> > head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> > thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me

that

> > this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> > asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> > round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> > sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> > seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it

seemed

> > like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful

diaper

> > rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> > breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> > problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> > head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

> will

> > never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will

be

> > all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

> breech

> > baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> > there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued

by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> > Kia

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the words of support. We are located in burg, VA,

and our orthotist is Harry Bright (who primarily sees patients in

Norfolk, but is in Newport News one day a week). I talked to Bill

Derringer at Orthomerica, and he had wonderful things to say about

Harry (I hope he's right). I'm glad to hear your twins got such good

correction (and with the STARBand!).

Kia

> Anyone else plagued by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> *Raising my hand!* I think its safe to assume that each and every

> one of here have had to deal with our own guilt feelings, to one

> degree or another. My plagio babies also happen to be twins, and I

> used to feel like this was all my fault. It took a long time for

me

> to realize that I wasn't to blame and it wasn't my fault. And you

> know what...its not your fault either. Its easier said then done,

> but you shouldn't feel guilty at all! You did the best you could

> with the information you had at the time, we all did!

>

> My twins were about 8 months old when we received their STARbands.

> My daughter, Kaylie, had a mild case of plagio, with some facial

> assym. My son, Danny, had a mild to moderate case of

brachycephaly.

> I really can't say enough things about our ortho, he was a very

> educated and knowledgeable man with tons of experience. Danny wore

> his band for 3 months, and Kaylie for 4 months. They both received

> an awesome amount of correction, and if you were to see them now,

no

> one would ever know that they didn't always have these beautifully

> round heads. Where are you located? Maybe someone here in our

group

> has used the same ortho as you and could share their experiences

with

> you.

>

> Good luck Kia, to you and Cole. Let us know when his STARband

comes

> in and how you all are adjusting to it. And again, welcome to the

> group!

>

> Niki

> Kaylie & Danny (STAR grads)

> Phila., PA

>

>

> > Hi all,

> >

> > My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> > (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week.

He

> > had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

> thank

> > goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will

be

> 7

> > months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

> am

> > worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like

because

> we

> > are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also

feel

> > completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> > head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> > thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me

that

> > this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> > asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> > round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> > sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> > seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it

seemed

> > like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful

diaper

> > rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> > breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> > problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> > head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

> will

> > never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will

be

> > all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

> breech

> > baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> > there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued

by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> > Kia

[Guest guest]

You must be very strong to be coping so well. It is amazing what

kids can teach us! Good luck with the band. Hope it helps both our

little ones!

Kia

> > Hi all,

> >

> > My son Cole has an extremely flat head all across the back

> > (brachycephaly). He was cast for a starband earlier this week.

He

> > had a CT scan on Monday to rule out fused sutures (they weren't

> thank

> > goodness). But I've been a wreck since all this began. He will

be

> 7

> > months old on June 20th (he should be in his band by then), and I

> am

> > worried that we won't see as much progress as I would like

because

> we

> > are starting late and his condition is pretty severe. I also

feel

> > completely responsible for not doing a better job with this. His

> > head was wide and flat in the back since birth, but I initially

> > thought that was just the " way he was " (it didn't occur to me

that

> > this could have occured in-utero). At his 2 month appointment, I

> > asked the ped about his flat head. He gave the typical " it will

> > round out " line and suggested side sleeping. I attempted side

> > sleeping, but Cole was very resistant. And I didn't take this as

> > seriously as I should have because of the advice I got... it

seemed

> > like no big deal. Unfortunately my son Cole also had awful

diaper

> > rash and colic and all kinds of allergy problems (I was trying to

> > breastfeed him and figure out what in my diet was causing him

> > problems). I think these concerns outshadowed concerns about his

> > head back when it mattered most. Now I am worried that his head

> will

> > never look normal and he will be made fun of... and that it will

be

> > all my fault! None of this happened with my first (who was a

> breech

> > baby... now I'm guessing because she was smart enough to realize

> > there wasn't room enough to be head down!). Anyone else plagued

by

> > guilt about their child's head shape?

> >

> > Kia