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

January 18, 2008

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

DONE!!!! 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 her 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.

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