Starting band at 9.5 mos...advice, anyone?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

We're getting the band this coming Monday (Abby will be 9.5 mos) and

don't really know what to expect.

My child threatens to implode if anything resembling a hat gets

within

6 inches of her head. How have other kids with this anti-hat

philosophy managed to cope? How long will the screaming continue?

Also, selfishly speaking, I'm not relishing the thought of exchanging

the 'oh, how cute' comments for stares and rude remarks. I know it's

an opportunity to spread the word, but how bad are people *really*?

And last but not least, I'd love to hear from anyone who's been

through this with an older baby. I'm a bit concerned that most of

her

head growth has already occurred.

Excitedly yet apprehensively yours,

and Abby MacInerney

kemac@...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/26/00 9:06:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

rhondabestpress@... writes:

<< also got sick with a high

fever which made his head sweat and sweat, so I kept taking it off to

towel it dry and air for a bit, such that he wasn't in it the " 23

hrs/day " . >>

Rhonda-were you told to discontinue wear for fever? We were, everyone should

check with their orthotist to make sure, but for the bands, I was told to

take it off for a fever (they said what temp, but I can't recall.) Kimry

[Guest guest]

,

My boy, , is now 10-1/2 mos old, having gotten his band at 8-

1/2 mos. He's done very well with it, and we've seen wonderful

rounding out of his flattened head and ears coming into line (back

right flat, front right forehead out and ears out of line). At 9-1/2

mos he had a growth spurt which helped matters swing along, such that

2-1/2 weeks ago, they told us only 4 more weeks to go. Well, since

that appt, he slowed down growing, and also got sick with a high

fever which made his head sweat and sweat, so I kept taking it off to

towel it dry and air for a bit, such that he wasn't in it the " 23

hrs/day " . Monday at his appt got the news it will be longer as we

need more change. But I'd much rather get it right than hurry it too

fast (like taking braces off too early & /or not wearing retainer -

both happened to me, but I could go back and get braces again, but

can't do the DOC band again after the window closes next year). All

told though, it will probably be about 4 mos or so total in the band.

All that to say, the growth is slowing down, but it hasn't

stopped, so we will continue to see change, just not as fast as if he

was a lot younger or in a growth spurt.

I, too, worried about the " cute baby " comments ending to be

exchanged for stares/other comments. However, I still get lots of

comments on what a cute baby he is, how happy he is, his smile -

people do look past (or should I say " under " ) the band and see his

smiling face and twinkling eyes. It's kinda interesting to watch

people and see what they do. I find it's the jr. high age kids and

the great-grandmother age people that stare the most. Little kids

don't even give it a thought, or maybe ask about his " hat " . Numerous

moms have stopped me to ask about it, what it's for; two because they

were concerned for their own child, and one who's child had finished

the band in January. The questions are friendly and honest. I now

am so used to seeing in the band, sometimes when people look or

ask about it, I have to stop and jog my brain as to what they are

referring to.

Decorating the band certainly helps both my perception and the

publics perception. Makes it more fun and friendly. I change his

stickers every week or two.

Good luck with the process! Boy I can ramble on - sorry!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

I just had to say hello to you. I have a too!! What a good name! My

is 9 months old. He too is extremely good natured with a big smile

and twinkling eyes. We don't have a band yet but we are working on talking

to a neurosurgeon so hopefully in a week or so we'll have some more

information on what type of treatment we are looking at.

Glad everything is going well for your !

----- Original Message -----

From: Rhonda Sharp <rhondabestpress@...>

<Plagiocephalyegroups>

Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 9:04 AM

Subject: Re: Starting band at 9.5 mos...advice, anyone?

> ,

> My boy, , is now 10-1/2 mos old, having gotten his band at 8-

> 1/2 mos. He's done very well with it, and we've seen wonderful

> rounding out of his flattened head and ears coming into line (back

> right flat, front right forehead out and ears out of line). At 9-1/2

> mos he had a growth spurt which helped matters swing along, such that

> 2-1/2 weeks ago, they told us only 4 more weeks to go. Well, since

> that appt, he slowed down growing, and also got sick with a high

> fever which made his head sweat and sweat, so I kept taking it off to

> towel it dry and air for a bit, such that he wasn't in it the " 23

> hrs/day " . Monday at his appt got the news it will be longer as we

> need more change. But I'd much rather get it right than hurry it too

> fast (like taking braces off too early & /or not wearing retainer -

> both happened to me, but I could go back and get braces again, but

> can't do the DOC band again after the window closes next year). All

> told though, it will probably be about 4 mos or so total in the band.

> All that to say, the growth is slowing down, but it hasn't

> stopped, so we will continue to see change, just not as fast as if he

> was a lot younger or in a growth spurt.

> I, too, worried about the " cute baby " comments ending to be

> exchanged for stares/other comments. However, I still get lots of

> comments on what a cute baby he is, how happy he is, his smile -

> people do look past (or should I say " under " ) the band and see his

> smiling face and twinkling eyes. It's kinda interesting to watch

> people and see what they do. I find it's the jr. high age kids and

> the great-grandmother age people that stare the most. Little kids

> don't even give it a thought, or maybe ask about his " hat " . Numerous

> moms have stopped me to ask about it, what it's for; two because they

> were concerned for their own child, and one who's child had finished

> the band in January. The questions are friendly and honest. I now

> am so used to seeing in the band, sometimes when people look or

> ask about it, I have to stop and jog my brain as to what they are

> referring to.

> Decorating the band certainly helps both my perception and the

> publics perception. Makes it more fun and friendly. I change his

> stickers every week or two.

> Good luck with the process! Boy I can ramble on - sorry!

> Rhonda

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

we were too any sign of fever take the helmet off

christi

-----Original Message-----

From: AAKARA@... <AAKARA@...>

Plagiocephalyegroups <Plagiocephalyegroups>

Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 12:25 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Starting band at 9.5 mos...advice, anyone?

>In a message dated 4/26/00 9:06:09 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

>rhondabestpress@... writes:

>

><< also got sick with a high

> fever which made his head sweat and sweat, so I kept taking it off to

> towel it dry and air for a bit, such that he wasn't in it the " 23

> hrs/day " . >>

>Rhonda-were you told to discontinue wear for fever? We were, everyone

should

>check with their orthotist to make sure, but for the bands, I was told to

>take it off for a fever (they said what temp, but I can't recall.) Kimry

>

>------------------------------------------------------------------------

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>

[Guest guest]

Kimry,

I didn't call about whether to wear it or not, my instinct said to

take it off, but I didn't want to leave it off and loose time in the

band. However, hind sight - I should have called, based on your

comment - " told to discontinue wear for fever? We were, everyone

should check with their orthotist to make sure, but for the bands, I

was told to take it off for a fever (they said what temp, but I

can't recall.) "

Rhonda