Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???

[Guest guest]

There have been both successes and failures with passive helmets since I've been

in the group. Hopefully yours will be a success! Please keep us posted. Also I

suggest taking pictures to see if your daughter is making progress. Passsive

helmets generally work best on young babies because they require more growth to

work, but each child (and helmet) is different. looks like a sweet girl

with beautiful eyes.

-christine

sydney, 3 yrs, starband grad

>

> My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it.

I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option

in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That

sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place

(O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here.

I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever

being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive

helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the

picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks!

From: christineashok <christineashok@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2009 5:09:49 PMSubject: Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???

There have been both successes and failures with passive helmets since I've been in the group. Hopefully yours will be a success! Please keep us posted. Also I suggest taking pictures to see if your daughter is making progress. Passsive helmets generally work best on young babies because they require more growth to work, but each child (and helmet) is different. looks like a sweet girl with beautiful eyes.-christinesydney, 3 yrs, starband grad>> My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That sounds like a great deal compared to

what I've seen on here. The othonics place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn>

[Guest guest]

I don't post much, but I wanted to share our experience regarding the passive

helmet. Our son has brachio. The back of his head was FLAT. I saw a craniofacial

specialist in my area. He referred us to a place called yanke bionics .They

design their own helmet. Our Dr. prefers a passive band. I was VERY skeptical,

but given his rec. decided to go with it. We started the week before

thanksgiving when our son was almost 8mo old. We have had remarkable results. I

think the results take longer, and you have to catch a growth spurt, but we are

so happy. He will be wearing it at least until his next visit at the end of

april. He still has a flatter spot which I am hoping to see improvement in,

but for the most part it is looking a lot better. If I get time, I will try to

post pics of before and now. The helmet is the plastic outer shell with foam

inside. We have had a couple modifications, but only for the first few weeks to

areas that were rubbing. The other person who posted is correct, the helmet is

made to the shape you want the head to be. I also have to say that I have been

very pleased with Yanke Bionics and the service and treatment our son received,

just in case anyone in OH is looking. I hope this helps, please feel free to

contact me if you have any specific questions b/c I know there is not much

posted on here about the passive bands, and most of what is is negative! Good

luck !

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: christineashok <christineashok@...>

> Plagiocephaly

> Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2009 5:09:49 PM

> Subject: Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???

>

>

> There have been both successes and failures with passive helmets since I've

been in the group. Hopefully yours will be a success! Please keep us posted.

Also I suggest taking pictures to see if your daughter is making progress.

Passsive helmets generally work best on young babies because they require more

growth to work, but each child (and helmet) is different. looks like a

sweet girl with beautiful eyes.

> -christine

> sydney, 3 yrs, starband grad

>

>

> >

> > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it.

I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option

in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That

sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place

(O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here.

I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever

being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive

helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the

picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks! has not had any rubbing so far but she has only had her band since Wednesday. She goes back this Thursday and then after that its once a month. is just a little over 7 1/2 months too. I'm hoping the kid that did the adjustments to her helmet to start did them right because he was in a huge hurry to leave the office and go somewhere. The regular person was at a conference and will be there this Thursday. I'm hoping he didn't take to much off around the ears. I am glad to hear of a positive experience!

Dawn

From: eyeluvbuks <eyeluvbuks@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2009 9:47:35 PMSubject: Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???

I don't post much, but I wanted to share our experience regarding the passive helmet. Our son has brachio. The back of his head was FLAT. I saw a craniofacial specialist in my area. He referred us to a place called yanke bionics .They design their own helmet. Our Dr. prefers a passive band. I was VERY skeptical, but given his rec. decided to go with it. We started the week before thanksgiving when our son was almost 8mo old. We have had remarkable results. I think the results take longer, and you have to catch a growth spurt, but we are so happy. He will be wearing it at least until his next visit at the end of april. He still has a flatter spot which I am hoping to see improvement in, but for the most part it is looking a lot better. If I get time, I will try to post pics of before and now. The helmet is the plastic outer shell with foam inside. We have had a couple modifications, but only for the first few weeks to areas that were rubbing. The other

person who posted is correct, the helmet is made to the shape you want the head to be. I also have to say that I have been very pleased with Yanke Bionics and the service and treatment our son received, just in case anyone in OH is looking. I hope this helps, please feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions b/c I know there is not much posted on here about the passive bands, and most of what is is negative! Good luck !> > > > ____________ _________ _________ __> From: christineashok <christineashok@ ...>> Plagiocephaly> Sent: Sunday, March 8, 2009 5:09:49 PM> Subject: Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???> > > There have been both successes and failures with passive helmets since I've been

in the group. Hopefully yours will be a success! Please keep us posted. Also I suggest taking pictures to see if your daughter is making progress. Passsive helmets generally work best on young babies because they require more growth to work, but each child (and helmet) is different. looks like a sweet girl with beautiful eyes.> -christine> sydney, 3 yrs, starband grad> > > >> > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I

don't remember that ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn> >>

[Guest guest]

My daughter had one starting at 9 months old. We were told she would have to

wear it a minimum of 6 months and that it likely would not correct that much.

She had minor plagio and severe brachy. She is adopted, so she had a big growth

spurt being given adequate nutrition and love. After 2 1/2 months she outgrew

the helmet with a pretty round head. Is it perfect? No, but all the noticeable

things were. We did however really keep it on the recommended 23 1/2 hours a

day. it was heard in the summer, but it was worth it.

Good luck,

>

> My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it.

I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option

in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That

sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place

(O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here.

I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever

being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive

helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the

picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn

>

[Guest guest]

I would like add to the discussion about active vs. passive helmets, and to the

last post about the effects on brachycephaly. My son has been in his helmet for

3 months and this is the first time I have ever heard the terms of active vs.

passive helmet. We live in NY and he has a helmet called the Ni.C. Band. He

has brachycephaly and was at 94% when we started and 3 months later he has only

has improved to 93%. At a recent visit to the Neurosurgeon (who recommended

that we get the helmet to begin with), we were told that my son looks " great "

and that he should wear the helmet " until he grows out of it " and then we are

done. We should continue visiting the Orthotist until he deems that the helmet

is too small. In terms of further correction, the doctor said maybe a little

bit will occur, maybe none at all. Based on the decriptions I read of the

" passive helmet, " I think that might be the kind we have, since we have been

going monthly, not weekly, and no one has ever mentioned using pressure points,

just waiting for growth spurts. I am sort of upset and confused by this entire

experience. My doctor did not explain any choices when it came to helmet types,

and clearly, the result we have gotten is not what I was hoping for. Now my son

is over 10 months old, and I am told we are almost finished. If I knew his

brachy was only going to improve 1% I would never have made my son wear the

helmet to begin with. I don't know exactly what my question is, but any advice

on how I should proceed will be much appreciated.

Thank you!

, 10 months old, in helmet for 3 months

> > >

> > > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with

it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an

option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash!

That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics

place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback

here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that

ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with

passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one (

Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks!

Dawn

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I thought NIC was the same as Hanger band, which is supposed to be active.

However if the ortho isn't good and leaves to much room then it becomes a

passive band. You should be seeing more correction unless your son is just not

growing. My daughter had brachy and from age 8.5 mo to 10 mo she improved 2%.

Over all in 5 mo she went from 96% to 85%. She started at 5 mo old.

I would suggest taking a trip to NJ and visiting cranial tech. Also search old

messages for your ortho's name. I remember a few complaints about the NYC area

and a lot of people saying NJ is worth the trip. There have been a few orthos

recommended in NYC too, but to be honest I don't remember any of the names

(again you can search old messages).

-christine

sydney, 3yrs, starband grad

> > > >

> > > > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with

it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an

option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash!

That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics

place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback

here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that

ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with

passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one (

Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks!

Dawn

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

You can still get results with an active band at 10 months and long after.  Passive are most effective for younger babies with more expected growth.  There is a very active poster on here, L R (Leila), that has shared her journey with correcting her daughter.  I know they got a later start by no fault of their own and have still had excellent results.  You may want to talk with her.

 

Elaine (twin A), plagio & tort, 9 1/2 mos, 2nd helmet since 1/5/09

On Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 12:53 PM, mcgannl <mcgannl@...> wrote:

I would like add to the discussion about active vs. passive helmets, and to the last post about the effects on brachycephaly. My son has been in his helmet for 3 months and this is the first time I have ever heard the terms of active vs. passive helmet. We live in NY and he has a helmet called the Ni.C. Band. He has brachycephaly and was at 94% when we started and 3 months later he has only has improved to 93%. At a recent visit to the Neurosurgeon (who recommended that we get the helmet to begin with), we were told that my son looks " great " and that he should wear the helmet " until he grows out of it " and then we are done. We should continue visiting the Orthotist until he deems that the helmet is too small. In terms of further correction, the doctor said maybe a little bit will occur, maybe none at all. Based on the decriptions I read of the " passive helmet, " I think that might be the kind we have, since we have been going monthly, not weekly, and no one has ever mentioned using pressure points, just waiting for growth spurts. I am sort of upset and confused by this entire experience. My doctor did not explain any choices when it came to helmet types, and clearly, the result we have gotten is not what I was hoping for. Now my son is over 10 months old, and I am told we are almost finished. If I knew his brachy was only going to improve 1% I would never have made my son wear the helmet to begin with. I don't know exactly what my question is, but any advice on how I should proceed will be much appreciated.

Thank you!, 10 months old, in helmet for 3 months

> > >> > > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn

> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

,

I hear your frustration. I didn't know much about about passive Vs active band either when my daughter got her first helmet. Even with that, her first orthotist was really good at convincing us that his passive helmet worked better than a DOC band or a STARband. I know better now but we did waste 3.5 months. My daughter grew considerably during that time but both her plagio and brachy got worse. At 9.5 months, we got her in a DOC band and changes started happening right away althoug she didn't grow as much. In two months, her plagio was resolved and her brachy improved by 5%. She is now almost 14 months old and into a second DOC band and we know that she has made even more progress.

If there is a Cranial Technologies in your area, it might be worth paying them a visit. Their band works and although your son is 10 months old, it is not too late...

Good luck and keep us posted.

Leila,

Maysa, 13.5 months old, week 6 in DOC band 2

http://mymaysa.wordpress.com/

From: mcgannl <mcgannl@...>Subject: Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???Plagiocephaly Date: Monday, March 9, 2009, 12:53 PM

I would like add to the discussion about active vs. passive helmets, and to the last post about the effects on brachycephaly. My son has been in his helmet for 3 months and this is the first time I have ever heard the terms of active vs. passive helmet. We live in NY and he has a helmet called the Ni.C. Band. He has brachycephaly and was at 94% when we started and 3 months later he has only has improved to 93%. At a recent visit to the Neurosurgeon (who recommended that we get the helmet to begin with), we were told that my son looks "great" and that he should wear the helmet "until he grows out of it" and then we are done. We should continue visiting the Orthotist until he deems that the helmet is too small. In terms of further correction, the doctor said maybe a little bit will occur, maybe none at all. Based on the decriptions I read of the "passive helmet," I think that might be the kind we have, since we have been going monthly, not weekly, and

no one has ever mentioned using pressure points, just waiting for growth spurts. I am sort of upset and confused by this entire experience. My doctor did not explain any choices when it came to helmet types, and clearly, the result we have gotten is not what I was hoping for. Now my son is over 10 months old, and I am told we are almost finished. If I knew his brachy was only going to improve 1% I would never have made my son wear the helmet to begin with. I don't know exactly what my question is, but any advice on how I should proceed will be much appreciated. Thank you!, 10 months old, in helmet for 3 months > > >> > > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive

expeirences with passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn> > >> >>

[Guest guest]

I agree that it is absolutely not too late. Starting at 93 percent, you could probably get into the normal range if you can get into an effective band within the next month or so. We started at 95 percent at 14.5 months and improved to 92.3 after 9 weeks. That's how I know that there has to be something wrong with either the helmet or the skill of the ortho in your case. My daughter has improved more than your LO and she is much older. You may be looking at a longer time of wear, but I'd be willing to bet that the DOC band could get you into or close to the normal range.

, mom to , 18.5 months

16 weeks in STARband plus CST

land Re: Any good results with a passive helmet???Plagiocephaly Date: Monday, March 9, 2009, 12:53 PM

I would like add to the discussion about active vs. passive helmets, and to the last post about the effects on brachycephaly. My son has been in his helmet for 3 months and this is the first time I have ever heard the terms of active vs. passive helmet. We live in NY and he has a helmet called the Ni.C. Band. He has brachycephaly and was at 94% when we started and 3 months later he has only has improved to 93%. At a recent visit to the Neurosurgeon (who recommended that we get the helmet to begin with), we were told that my son looks "great" and that he should wear the helmet "until he grows out of it" and then we are done. We should continue visiting the Orthotist until he deems that the helmet is too small. In terms of further correction, the doctor said maybe a little bit will occur, maybe none at all. Based on the decriptions I read of the "passive helmet," I think that might be the kind we have, since we have been going monthly, not weekly, and no one has ever mentioned using pressure points, just waiting for growth spurts. I am sort of upset and confused by this entire experience. My doctor did not explain any choices when it came to helmet types, and clearly, the result we have gotten is not what I was hoping for. Now my son is over 10 months old, and I am told we are almost finished. If I knew his brachy was only going to improve 1% I would never have made my son wear the helmet to begin with. I don't know exactly what my question is, but any advice on how I should proceed will be much appreciated. Thank you!, 10 months old, in helmet for 3 months > > >> > > My daughter got her passive helmet last Wednesday and is doing well with it. I know that active helmets are 100% a better choice however it was not an option in my area (St. Louis). I paid cash for it and it was only $1500 cash! That sounds like a great deal compared to what I've seen on here. The othonics place (O & P) is well known it my area and seem to not have any negative feedback here. I was surprised that it was a passive helmet because I don't remember that ever being talked about on here. Does any one have positive expeirences with passive helmets? I have also just posted pictures of my little one ( Rose), the picture does not show how mis-aligned her ears are though. Thanks! Dawn> > >> >>