RE: For Those of You with Younger Children Deciding Whether or Not to Band

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Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you had such excellent progress.DOCbands are dynamic, not static (Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty = DOC) which means that the holding places put gentle gentle pressure on the head, and the head moves to the places where there is space in the band. But you are correct, age and growth spurts make a huge difference in how fast the process takes.Mom to Quinn, born 11/99, DOCband graduate for long/narrow (scaphocephalic) head shape 10/00.>------- Original Message ------->From : holmanmichelle[mailto:nietert2003@...]>Sent : 1/18/2008 11:38:23 AM>To : Plagiocephaly >Cc : >Subject : RE: For Those of You with Younger Children Deciding Whether or Not to Band>>My dtr's brach, tort, and plagio was caught first by our ped at

2 months - we tried repo and at 4 months I got a referral to CT. We qualified with 4 SD and 13mm. We were blessed that our insurance Aetna is in network with CT. We agonized about our decision but after some research and being a part of this group we decided to band. We almost held off banding until after Christmas which I AM SO GLAD WE DIDN'T. Age and growth spurts make a HUGE difference with the DocBand since it uses a static helmet meaning there is no pressure on the head but as the baby's soft head grows the flat spot kind of fills in the helmet (making it round) while the overly rounded part of the head is held by the helmet. The casting to helmet phase takes 10 days so Sophia got her helmet on Dec 17th and was just shy of 5 months. We noticed a HUGE difference within 10 days (our first post helmet visit due to the holidays) b/c she had a growth spurt. We've only been in the helmet A MONTH AND WE'RE ALMOST DON

E!!!! She falls on the moderate end and they said two to three more weeks - then said more likely two and I said I was hoping three just to be safe.Yes, you miss kissing their head (but you find ways to kiss around it - we are blessed by Sophie's chubby cheeks) and yes it does smell after a while (keeping the baby cool and using 91% alcohol w/toothbrush and wash cloth really helps - hers is bearable and we bath every other day b/c she has eczema). Honestly, as far as the public goes maybe since we have a CT in Dallas people are used to it but everywhere we go we get support, people telling us their stories of their kids, neices/nephews, or grandchildren and since I put her name on the helmet, everyone coos at her telling her how cute she is and calling her by name. Yes, she woke up a little more often but I just took advantage of more snuggle time. Finally, have a blast with the stickers! I am going to put some in h

er file today but we've had Christmas, pastel, and I'm almost sad as I'll do her last set for her baptism this weekend.Sorry for the long post but I may never have a chance again and just wanted to share our experience and send some encouragment. I just think of it as a molded styrofoam cup and will never regret banding. Her head looks great and time really does fly with it on - especially if you only have to wear it 6 or 7 weeks like we are.For more plagio info