Who should I listen to pediatrician or orthodist?

August 13, 2008

My son just turned 1 and has been in his starband for about 6 months

and are very pleased with the results. We were told that somewhere

around 1, the head hardens and growth will slow, so we may not see

much change from now on. The orthodist said his measurements were

good, but his head could still round out a (very)little bit more. So,

keep it on for another month. But then our pediatrician said that his

head looked good and for peace of mind, just wear it at night for the

next month. Who do we listen to??

Another note, the ear holes were cut too big and now he's got bumps

around his ears (where the helmet isn't covering). The orthotist said

it would round out once the helmet was off. But, I don't trust anyone

now who says " It'll round out on it's own. " I'm afraid it'll only get

worse if we keep it on as the band is getting tighter now. Is it worth

the risk? Who should we listen to? Any advice would be appreciated!

August 13, 2008

It sounds like neither of them know what they are talking about. The bumps should round out if they are soft tissue bulges from fluid collecting but if your band is to tight because he has outgrown it could be a major problem. six months seems like to long to be in one band. Is there anyone you can go to for a second opinion? Who should I listen

to pediatrician or orthodist?My son just turned 1 and has been in his starband for about 6 months

and are very pleased with the results. We were told that somewhere

around 1, the head hardens and growth will slow, so we may not see

much change from now on. The orthodist said his measurements were

good, but his head could still round out a (very)little bit more. So,

keep it on for another month. But then our pediatrician said that his

head looked good and for peace of mind, just wear it at night for the

next month. Who do we listen to??

Another note, the ear holes were cut too big and now he's got bumps

around his ears (where the helmet isn't covering). The orthotist said

it would round out once the helmet was off. But, I don't trust anyone

now who says "It'll round out on it's own." I'm afraid it'll only get

worse if we keep it on as the band is getting tighter now. Is it worth

the risk? Who should we listen to? Any advice would be appreciated!

August 13, 2008

I agree... try to get a second opinion if you can. 6 months is a LONG time to

be in a band. DOCbands are only on for 16 weeks tops because of head growth.

Simpson

mommy to Aidan, DOCband graduate 10/07

> From: <firefly8815@...>

> Subject: Re: Who should I listen to pediatrician or orthodist?

> Plagiocephaly

> Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 11:46 AM

> It sounds like neither of them know what they are talking

> about. The bumps should round out if they are soft tissue

> bulges from fluid collecting but if your band is to tight

> because he has outgrown it could be a major problem. six

> months seems like to long to be in one band. Is there anyone

> you can go to for a second opinion?

>

> Who should I listen to pediatrician or

> orthodist?

>

> My son just turned 1 and has been in his starband for about

> 6 months

> and are very pleased with the results. We were told that

> somewhere

> around 1, the head hardens and growth will slow, so we may

> not see

> much change from now on. The orthodist said his

> measurements were

> good, but his head could still round out a (very)little bit

> more. So,

> keep it on for another month. But then our pediatrician

> said that his

> head looked good and for peace of mind, just wear it at

> night for the

> next month. Who do we listen to??

>

> Another note, the ear holes were cut too big and now

> he's got bumps

> around his ears (where the helmet isn't covering). The

> orthotist said

> it would round out once the helmet was off. But, I

> don't trust anyone

> now who says " It'll round out on it's

> own. " I'm afraid it'll only get

> worse if we keep it on as the band is getting tighter now.

> Is it worth

> the risk? Who should we listen to? Any advice would be

> appreciated!

August 13, 2008

Can you post photos of the bumps around his ears? It sounds worrisome, to much pressure can be dangerous and cause brain damage. Who should I listen to pediatrician or

> orthodist?

>

> My son just turned 1 and has been in his starband for about

> 6 months

> and are very pleased with the results. We were told that

> somewhere

> around 1, the head hardens and growth will slow, so we may

> not see

> much change from now on. The orthodist said his

> measurements were

> good, but his head could still round out a (very)little bit

> more. So,

> keep it on for another month. But then our pediatrician

> said that his

> head looked good and for peace of mind, just wear it at

> night for the

> next month. Who do we listen to??

>

> Another note, the ear holes were cut too big and now

> he's got bumps

> around his ears (where the helmet isn't covering). The

> orthotist said

> it would round out once the helmet was off. But, I

> don't trust anyone

> now who says "It'll round out on it's

> own." I'm afraid it'll only get

> worse if we keep it on as the band is getting tighter now.

> Is it worth

> the risk? Who should we listen to? Any advice would be

> appreciated!

August 13, 2008

How long have the bumps been around his ears? I'm thinking that they

are most likely fluid buildup, it's known to happen around the ears.

If they have been that way for a while, when the helmet was

definitely fitting him well, I would say it's just fluid and it is

supposed to disapate (sp?) after treatment (my therapist said

anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months - my son has a bump in the space

between the velcro opening). However, if the bumps just started

appearing, I would be concerned that the helmet is getting too tight

and causing the bumps to form, and I'm not sure what happens if that

is the case. Six months is the longest a StarBand should be worn.

After that, it loses strength integrity and really doesn't do much

good, especially if there is no or very little foam left. And worse,

if he has outgrown it and it is too tight, it could make his head

shape worse (it could start growing upward out of the hole and cause

a ridge in the shape of the hole). I think if you're comfortable

with his head shape, you should just stop treatment. I would rather

stop now then leave it on and regret the negative effects. I would

begin by asking the ortho about the 6 month life of a StarBand and

if you're not satisfied with his answer, either seek a second

opinion or just take it off.

Good luck!

Jake-23m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DOCBand #2 10 weeks)

Jordan-4

>

> My son just turned 1 and has been in his starband for about 6

months

> and are very pleased with the results. We were told that somewhere

> around 1, the head hardens and growth will slow, so we may not see

> much change from now on. The orthodist said his measurements were

> good, but his head could still round out a (very)little bit more.

So,

> keep it on for another month. But then our pediatrician said that

his

> head looked good and for peace of mind, just wear it at night for

the

> next month. Who do we listen to??

>

> Another note, the ear holes were cut too big and now he's got

bumps

> around his ears (where the helmet isn't covering). The orthotist

said

> it would round out once the helmet was off. But, I don't trust

anyone

> now who says " It'll round out on it's own. " I'm afraid it'll only

get

> worse if we keep it on as the band is getting tighter now. Is it

worth

> the risk? Who should we listen to? Any advice would be appreciated!

>

August 13, 2008

Listen to the ortho, and the bumps WILL go away, I promise. My son had the same thing, and it was concerning, but all is well now. I would keep the band on for the 23 hours a day like the ortho says because Pediatritians don't really seem to know what they are talking about when it comes to this.My 2 cents!!!From: <nwilkens2275@...>Subject: Re: Who should I listen to pediatrician or orthodist?Plagiocephaly Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 8:15 PM