Re: we're new and need advice!

January 31, 2009

Hi,

My daughter wore a starband for 5 mo (age 5 to 10 mo) and she did very

well. I wouldn't say it was a stress for her at all. She met all her

milestones on time or early, and was walking by the time she

graduated, so it really didn't interfere with anything.

It did improve her head shape a lot. I know our specialist (cranial

facial plastic surgeon) recommends banding at 10 mm or above, so by

his criteria you're right on the boarder. However I've seen quite a

few parents here than band at 8 or 9 and are very glad they did. I

looked at his pics and it would help his head, but he isn't severe.

I would be surprised if he had to wear it more than 3 or 4 mo. My

daughter had brachy (flat in back) which was pretty severe. I saw a

lot of parents come and go in this group during the time she was

banded who got good correction in less time. I would ask your ortho

why they think it will take this long - it raises a concern for me

that they might not have the best experience. I've also heard that

starbands only last about 6 mo at the longest, so 8 mo surprises me

for that reason.

-christine

sydney, 3 yrs starband grad

>

> I'm so torn I just don't know what to do. At his 6m check up Aidan's

> doctor referred me to a specialist to assess the degree of his

> misshapen head. He was born this way and it just never changed. I

> uploaded the results to my server here:

> Stats:

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/aidanhead-stats.jpg

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/aidanhead-front.jpg

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/aidanhead-top.jpg

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/aidanhead-back.jpg

>

> The link to the helmet manufacturer is here:

> http://www.orthomerica.com/products/cranial/cranialindex.htm

>

> Here are some resent photos of Aidan,

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/bath.JPG

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/bath2.JPG

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/feedingfront.JPG

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/122408-monkey6.jpg

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/rightside.JPG

>

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/starscan/122608-aidanhelpsdad.JPG

>

> Photos taken this morning in the bath:

> http://www.agabengalcats.com/aidan/wethead/

>

> The slight flat spot on the back right side of his head doesn't

> bother us, and I really don't see any medical reason to correct it.

> Will it bother him when he's older? I don't know what to do! Most

> people don't even notice that he has a flat spot, and if they do no

> one seems to think it's that bad.

>

> Aidan hasn't slept well since he hit 4.5 months and started teething.

> I think doing the helmet would add an extreme amount of stress to his

> life, and by extension to ours. I can't imagine him sleeping with

> this helmet when we can hardly get him to sleep as it is. The clinic

> is very far away and so just getting him to his appointments would be

> a battle. I read so many stories of people getting great results

> after 3 months, but we were told 6-8 months! I know it sounds short

> sighted in the long run, but for us, right now, that's a long time!

>

> At this point I don't expect it to get better...but being that he

> sleeps on his left side (the side that isn't flat) I can't see it

> getting worse.

>

> I just don't know if this is worth all the stress...and what dangers

> could be associated with using the helmet that we don't know about

> yet?

>

> What would you do? I need a reason to do this beyond the cosmetic

> aspect, and there just isn't enough information to confirm a medical

> benefit. I don't think his head looks that bad and either does anyone

> else. Most don't even notice unless they look at him from the top.

> Why would him through such stress at this age (where he's stressed

> enough from teething and trying to learn how to crawl/walk)...for a

> rounder head?

>

January 31, 2009

I agree with . 6-8 mos sounds like a longer than usual time. My son has a very similar shape to the back of his head as your son. We were told 12-14 weeks in a DOC Band would do the trick. Burt, Jacqui & Jacksen 30 Ansley Court Inwood, WV 25428 http://web.mac.com/bsoltero/--- On Sat, 1/31/09, christineashok <christineashok@...> wrote:From: christineashok <christineashok@...>Subject:

Re: we're new and need advice!Plagiocephaly Date: Saturday, January 31, 2009, 6:01 PM