Re: Second day with helmet - TOUGH - help, suggestions for adjusting

[Guest guest]

Holy crap he is adorable!!! Great paint job He looks very happy in the picts

- I hope it

continues! It really does get much easier once it becomes more routine and the

time will

start flying by! Remember there is always someone here to help when you want

throw a

tantrum! Good Luck!!! - Meg

> >

> > Good email. Very inspirational. Thanks for sending! - /Cole

> is 8.5 months and been in DOCband since 12/1/08

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Jenna & Stein <jjstein@>

> > Plagiocephaly

> > Sent: Sunday, February 8, 2009 10:06:43 AM

> > Subject: Re: Second day with helmet - TOUGH - help,

> suggestions for adjusting

> >

> >

> > Hello,

> >

> > As you can see below, I have two boys that are 20.5 months

> > apart. My youngest is 6 months and has had his DOC band for 2

> > weeks. Here are some thoughts:

> > 1. Always rule out an earache or teething. If your child

> screams whenever (s)he lays down, or is constantly playing with one

> ear, there's a good chance they have an ear infection. If they are

> teething, this can easily cause mood swings and lack of sleep. Don't

> worry – these are both very normal. With our first son, my doctor

> told us that most kids get ear infections and all have teething

> issues. We used Hyland's Alll-Natural teething tablets to help and

> on a rare occasion would give him a dose of Tylenol if it was really

> bad.

> > 2. The DOC band, STAR band or whatever product you choose has

> been tested on thousands of children. They should not cause any pain

> but will probably be a little irritating while the kids adjust. (If

> you do think it's causing pain or you notice dark red marks, follow

> their instructions! )

> > 3. YOU help control your child's reaction to anything in

> life. This is a hard one to deal with because you want everything to

> be happy and easy for them. Try your hardest not to be upset or down

> as your child is trying to adjust. The saying " Fake it till you make

> it " is one of my favorites! Seriously, try for a couple of hours to

> just be happy and play with your child. Try to pretend that the

> helmet is not on when it is and just be SILLY. When my little guy

> gets irritated, I just try to switch things up to distract him. We

> play " airplane " and I kiss him or try to rub noses often and it

> cracks him up. He goes from cranky to giggles in no time.

> > 4. The more times you take your child in and out of the

> helmet, the more confusing it will be. If they get used to wearing

> it 23 hours per day, they will adjust and it will become their

> version of " normal " – even if it may not be yours. This is perhaps

> one of the most important points. It was hard for me to leave

> Tylerin his helmet for the full 23 hours starting the 2 night, but I

> did it and he learned to adjust.

> > I know things are easier said than done and I am NOT trying to

> > minimize your situation. When your child is unhappy it can feel

> like your

> > world is covered by a dark cloud. When we go through very

> stressful times

> > with our children and we can't help but have it affect us. (Last

> > week we spent an entire day between two Hospitals/Chldren's ER with

> my

> > older son. It was excruciating but I had to do my best to stay

> positive

> > so he would not be so scared.) Sometimes I find when I am able to

> stay

> > positive for my kids that all of us feel better at the end!

> > I hope that things go smoothly soon. It's great

> > that you have so many parents to reach out to on this site. You

> should

> > continue to post if you need support. I, too, have experienced a

> > wonderful support when I posted before my son received his band.

> I'm

> > sure that there is someone who can give you advice that helps. So

> long as

> > you do what works best for you and your family, you can't go wrong!

> >

> > Best wishes,

> > Jenna

> >

>