Re: glad i did band in time - second year growth

[Guest guest]

Change is dependent upon the growth as well as the flexibility of the head to move dependent upon the sutures not being closed. My ortho told me that the sutures closed between 18 and 24 months so that may be where that belief comes from. That being said, I have also heard that this is not true and that our sutures aren't completely closed until adulthood.

Anyway, on the growth note:

We had 's 2 year doctor's appointment today and she's had a major growth spurt with her head size. Between 18.5 months and 24 months, she's grown 2.5 cm according to the pediatirican's measurements. That's from below the charts to the 7th percentile. She's actually on the charts now. The doctor saw the number and double checked the nurse's measurement because she said that it couldn't be right. It turns out that the doctor's measurements were a quarter of a cm larger than the nurses. So, by taking out of her band at 20 months, we may have missed a huge growth spurt. Of course, these were hand measurements and there was no double checking at the 18 month appointment. The numbers at the doctor and the scanner were always slightly different so I can't really compare. But, according to her scans, she only grew 1 mm between 18 and 20 months, so the growth must have occurred after that and we missed it. I'm so bummed. I should have pursued a DOC band at her STARband graduation, but this kind of growth was not expected.

So, with this kind of growth, it does seem possible that her CI could have changed considerably. This is even more reason for me to pursue the alternative treatments. She may not be through with this spurt. We'll try again with the chiro tomorrow, but she had a shot today on the table, so I'm not sure whether she'll agree to get on the table tomorrow.

, mom to , 2 years

STARband grad at 20 months (for moderate to severe brachy)

Currently doing CST and pursuing Chiro

land

Re: glad i did band in time

Hi,My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20 months. I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do it. I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18 months it is too late. Your friend may also want to consider alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST. I'm really interested in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to continue treatment.- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 monthsjoeandmiri wrote:

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is too late for a band.Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?ThanksMiriam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Could you have the Starband ortho do another scan?  That would tell

you.  Or maybe if you are like me, you don't want to know.  Our ortho

offered to scan my older son since he was so curious.  I was glad when

my son declined since frankly I don't want to know his measurements. 

I'm sure they are higher than average, and probably a little outside of

normal range.  I don't regret not treating him with a helmet or other

treatment since he is so highly sensitive that the appointments, scans,

and helmet would have been a lot for him.  Besides his head doesn't

look bad and his hair easily hides the flat spot.   On the other hand,

I feel horrible that 's plagio was not diagnosed and treated

earlier.

Kathy, mom to , 15 months, Starband for plagio

wrote:

 

Change is dependent upon the growth as well as the flexibility of

the head to move dependent upon the sutures not being closed. My ortho

told me that the sutures closed between 18 and 24 months so that may be

where that belief comes from. That being said, I have also heard that

this is not true and that our sutures aren't completely closed until

adulthood.

 

Anyway, on the growth note:

 

We had 's 2 year doctor's appointment today and she's had a

major growth spurt with her head size. Between 18.5 months and 24

months, she's grown 2.5 cm according to the pediatirican's

measurements. That's from below the charts to the 7th percentile. She's

actually on the charts now. The doctor saw the number and double

checked the nurse's measurement because she said that it couldn't be

right. It turns out that the doctor's measurements were a quarter of a

cm larger than the nurses. So, by taking out of her band at 20

months, we may have missed a huge growth spurt. Of course, these were

hand measurements and there was no double checking at the 18 month

appointment. The numbers at the doctor and the scanner were always

slightly different so I can't really compare. But, according to her

scans, she only grew 1 mm between 18 and 20 months, so the growth must

have occurred after that and we missed it. I'm so bummed. I should have

pursued a DOC band at her STARband graduation, but this kind of growth

was not expected.

 

So, with this kind of growth, it does seem possible that her CI

could have changed considerably. This is even more reason for me to

pursue the alternative treatments. She may not be through with this

spurt. We'll try again with the chiro tomorrow, but she had a shot

today on the table, so I'm not sure whether she'll agree to get on the

table tomorrow.  

, mom to , 2 years

STARband grad at 20 months (for moderate to severe brachy)

Currently doing CST and pursuing Chiro

land

  

Re: glad i did  band in time

 

Hi,

My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20

months.  I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do

it.  I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18

months it is too late.  Your friend may also want to consider

alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST.  I'm really interested

in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect

my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to

continue treatment.

- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months

joeandmiri wrote:

 

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the

starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping

today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in

starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons

helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the

band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his

head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old.

I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they

told her that it is too late for a band.

Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?

Thanks

Miriam

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that she has really grown. For one thing, her helmet no longer fits her. I noticed this a couple of weeks ago when she asked me to put it on her for the first time in a couple of months. Given her age, she shouldn't have grown more than a few mm during that time period. It fit her up until the end of June/beginning of July. I was putting it on her at night. When I recently put it on her, I could get the velcro strap to close in as far as it should so the opening was wider than it should be. We let her wear it for about 30 minutes while she was riding her bike and then took it off. (We need to buy her a bike helmet like her brother has so she stops asking to wear her STARband). Now whether she grew that much, I'm not sure of, but I wouldn't be surprised if a STARscan showed at least 1 cm of growth.

I've though of going back and I still may, but I was thinking that I'd get some alternative treatments in first and go back for a scan to see if they are helping. I believe that we would have to pay $150 for the scan and I'm not sure whether my curiosity is enough to warrant this. I may just ask the PT to do some more measurements to document any improvement. Of course, these are hand measurements and are not as accurate, but they would give me some idea of whether we are getting improvement.

We got another haircut today and her hair looks a little thicker, but I still really see that flat spot and it was so apparant at the hair place.

As for whether or not I really want to know, I think that I do. Sometimes, it's easier not knowing, but the not knowing drives me nuts. So, I'm going to need to think about this. In the meantime, I'm continuing with the CST exercises and finding a chiro. Then, I'll re-evaluate where we are in a few months.

Re: glad i did band in time

Hi,My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20 months. I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do it. I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18 months it is too late. Your friend may also want to consider alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST. I'm really interested in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to continue treatment.- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 monthsjoeandmiri wrote:

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is too late for a band.Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?ThanksMiriam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow!  That is amazing she grew so much that the band doesn't fit.  My

ortho doesn't believe me that my almost 5 year old's head grew much

this year.  He gained 8 lbs since the holidays and most of it was

within a 3 month window.  I think his head looks much bigger in

comparison to the other children's heads than it did last year. 

I'm wondering whether breast fed babies follow a different head growth

curve and whether nursing affects when their heads fuse.  We were on

the slow side introducing solids to , since he had a tiny bit of

reflux and he vomited easily with solids.  Then I continued nursing him

more than I would have since he had a minor surgery at a year and

afterwards ear infections and then a yeast infection.  Otherwise, he is

healthy and robust, but he dropped down in the growth curves.

Kathy, mom to , 15 months, 3 months Starband

wrote:

 

Hi Kathy,

 

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense that she has

really grown. For one thing, her helmet no longer fits her. I noticed

this a couple of weeks ago when she asked me to put it on her for the

first time in a couple of months. Given her age, she shouldn't have

grown more than a few mm during that time period. It fit her up until

the end of June/beginning of July. I was putting it on her at night.

When I recently put it on her, I could get the velcro strap to close in

as far as it should so the opening was wider than it should be. We let

her wear it for about 30 minutes while she was riding her bike and then

took it off. (We need to buy her a bike helmet like her brother has so

she stops asking to wear her STARband). Now whether she grew that much,

I'm not sure of, but I wouldn't be surprised if a STARscan showed at

least 1 cm of growth.

 

I've though of going back and I still may, but I was thinking that

I'd get some alternative treatments in first and go back for a scan to

see if they are helping. I believe that we would have to pay $150 for

the scan and I'm not sure whether my curiosity is enough to warrant

this. I may just ask the PT to do some more measurements to document

any improvement. Of course, these are hand measurements and are not as

accurate, but they would give me some idea of whether we are getting

improvement.

 

We got another haircut today and her hair looks a little thicker,

but I still really see that flat spot and it was so apparant at the

hair place.

 

As for whether or not I really want to know, I think that I do.

Sometimes, it's easier not knowing, but the not knowing drives me nuts.

So, I'm going to need to think about this. In the meantime, I'm

continuing with the CST exercises and finding a chiro. Then, I'll

re-evaluate where we are in a few months.

       

 

Re: glad i did  band in time

 

Hi,

My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20

months.  I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do

it.  I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18

months it is too late.  Your friend may also want to consider

alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST.  I'm really interested

in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect

my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to

continue treatment.

- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months

joeandmiri wrote:

 

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the

starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping

today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in

starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons

helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the

band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his

head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old.

I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they

told her that it is too late for a band.

Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?

Thanks

Miriam

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I hadn't thought about the nursing issue in regards to growth. I know that you can find a different growth chart for breastfeeding babies on the kelley mom site. They do follow a different pattern when it comes to weight gain so maybe they do for head growth as well. shares 's issues with the reflux (still on Prevacid) and she also has food intolerances (milk and wheat) and allergies (peanuts). So, she's definately had her own pattern when it comes to growth. I have been reading a book on nursing older children and it does say that breastfead toddlers tend to be a little bit smaller during the 2nd year. I know that's weird because they also tend to be larger during the first 6 months and then their weight stops dropping off. Maybe this is what happened with her only her chubby period was only at the 25th percentile. I had actually thought that I was helping her growth by continuing to nurse.

is no where ready to wean, even though I'm dying to eat ice cream since it's been nearly two years since I've had any. The problem is that I don't want to do the screaming, abrupt weaning. I want it to be a gentle approach. So, I've been reading on how to gently nudge her in this direction. She nurses like her brother did when he was only 9 or 10 months old. He naturally weaned at 14 months. I either need her to wean or to get over her dairy allergy. She failed a recent trial going off the Prevacid so now we're going to move on and do another cheese trial during this coming 3-day weekend. That way, if she reacts, she can can go through her misery with her family rather than at day care. As much as I want her to outgrow her food alleriges and be able to eat more things, I hate doing the trials because she always fails them and is in such pain. But, the doctors want me to keep trying every few months. They are saying that it could happen anytime now.

Re: glad i did band in time

Hi,My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20 months. I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do it. I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18 months it is too late. Your friend may also want to consider alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST. I'm really interested in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to continue treatment.- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 monthsjoeandmiri wrote:

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is too late for a band.Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?ThanksMiriam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I don't know if this is normal, but my older son went through a growth

spurt once he was finally completely weaned at over 2.  He dropped a

little on the weight curve throughout the 2nd year.  His head was

smaller than average as an infant and toddler, but it definitely

doesn't look smaller at almost 5.

Kathy, mom to , 15 months

wrote:

 

Kathy,

 

I hadn't thought about the nursing issue in regards to growth. I

know that you can find a different growth chart for breastfeeding

babies on the kelley mom site. They do follow a different pattern when

it comes to weight gain so maybe they do for head growth as well.

shares 's issues with the reflux (still on Prevacid) and

she also has food intolerances (milk and wheat) and allergies

(peanuts). So, she's definately had her own pattern when it comes to

growth. I have been reading a book on nursing older children and it

does say that breastfead toddlers tend to be a little bit smaller

during the 2nd year. I know that's weird because they also tend to be

larger during the first 6 months and then their weight stops dropping

off. Maybe this is what happened with her only her chubby period was

only at the 25th percentile. I had actually thought that I was helping

her growth by continuing to nurse.

 

is no where ready to wean, even though I'm dying to eat

ice cream since it's been nearly two years since I've had any. The

problem is that I don't want to do the screaming, abrupt weaning. I

want it to be a gentle approach. So, I've been reading on how to gently

nudge her in this direction. She nurses like her brother did when

he was only 9 or 10 months old. He naturally weaned at 14 months. I

either need her to wean or to get over her dairy allergy. She failed a

recent trial going off the Prevacid so now we're going to move on and

do another cheese trial during this coming 3-day weekend. That way, if

she reacts, she can can go through her misery with her family rather

than at day care. As much as I want her to outgrow her food alleriges

and be able to eat more things, I hate doing the trials because she

always fails them and is in such pain. But, the doctors want me to keep

trying every few months. They are saying that it could happen anytime

now.

       

 

Re: glad i did  band in time

 

Hi,

My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20

months.  I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do

it.  I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18

months it is too late.  Your friend may also want to consider

alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST.  I'm really interested

in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect

my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to

continue treatment.

- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months

joeandmiri wrote:

 

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son

the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went

shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in

starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons

helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the

band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his

head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old.

I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they

told her that it is too late for a band.

Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?

Thanks

Miriam

[Guest guest]

I think I've figured out why her head measurement went up so much. Her head appears to have popped out a little bit in the back right where they take the circumference measurement. I was noticing this last night as I was feeling the back of her head. I'm taking this as evidence that the CST has helped her head to redirect growth in the right areas. All of her recent growth must have been directed to the back and rounding out an area that was somewhat flat. It would be nice to get another confirmation of this with regards to her measurements.

The chiro has not gone well due to refusing to cooperate with the chiro, but after our last appointment, I've decided that I need to look for someone that has more pediatric experience. I looked on a pediatric chiro website and found someone that specializes in children. I have a free consultation scheduled for this evening to find out if she can treat . I'm going to also ask if she can help with the reflux (since my research shows it could help). We're going on two years of reflux meds for "infant reflux." I think that could use a little help in getting over it.

In the meantime, I'm very pleased with the subtle changes that I'm seeing in her head.

, mom to , 24 months

STARband grad May 2009 for brachy

Currently doing CST and investigating Chiro

Re: glad i did band in time Hi, My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20 months. I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do it. I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18 months it is too late. Your friend may also want to consider alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST. I'm really interested in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to continue treatment. - Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months joeandmiri wrote: Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is too late for a band. Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped? Thanks Miriam

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

That is good news her head filled out a little in back!  Maybe, it will

continue. 

As for the chiro, 's whole procedure yesterday, was done while I

held him.  A few times it wasn't, but I'm sure if protested the

chiro would have had me hold him.  has always cooperated. 

Although is easy going, especially compared to his older brother. 

That may be a good idea to try another chiropractor.  I would think

that if is uncomfortable and tense, the adjustments would not

work as well.

Kathy, mom to , 15 months

wrote:

 

I think I've figured out why her head measurement went up so much.

Her head appears to have popped out a little bit in the back right

where they take the circumference measurement. I was noticing this last

night as I was feeling the back of her head. I'm taking this as

evidence that the CST has helped her head to redirect growth in the

right areas. All of her recent growth must have been directed to the

back and rounding out an area that was somewhat flat. It would be nice

to get another confirmation of this with regards to her measurements.

 

The chiro has not gone well due to refusing to cooperate

with the chiro, but after our last appointment, I've decided that I

need to look for someone that has more pediatric experience. I looked

on a pediatric chiro website and found someone that specializes in

children. I have a free consultation scheduled for this evening to find

out if she can treat . I'm going to also ask if she can help

with the reflux (since my research shows it could help). We're going on

two years of reflux meds for "infant reflux." I think that

could use a little help in getting over it.

In the meantime, I'm very pleased with the subtle changes that I'm

seeing in her head.

 

, mom to , 24 months

STARband grad May 2009 for brachy

Currently doing CST and investigating Chiro

       

 

Re: glad i did  band in time

 

Hi,

My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20

months.  I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do

it.  I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18

months it is too late.  Your friend may also want to consider

alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST.  I'm really interested

in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect

my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to

continue treatment.

- Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months

joeandmiri wrote:

 

Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband

at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for

the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the

children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped

into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son

's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is

pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for

her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is

too late for a band.

Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped?

Thanks

Miriam

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Yes, I have hope that her head will continue to round out a little bit more. I need to schedule another appointment with the PT for another CST treatment. The PT has to submit papework for more insurance approval so it may be a couple more weeks before we can be seen again. In the meantime, I believe that the home exercises are helping.

I posted about our chiro consult on the older plagio group, which I believe you are also on, but the short version for anyone else that is interested is that the experience was quite positive. This chiro was very child friendly. She did a scan that showed several areas that need to be worked on. We go back Thursday night to hear the specific results and treatment plan. I'm also quite hopeful that she will be able to help with the reflux. It'd be great to get off of her medication.

, mom to , 24 months

STARband grad May 2009 currently in CST and exploring Chiro

land

Re: glad i did band in time Hi, My understanding is cranial technology bands babies up to 18-20 months. I would assume it helps some, or they probably wouldn't do it. I think many Starband orthos, mine included, believe that after 18 months it is too late. Your friend may also want to consider alternative therapies such as chiro and/or CST. I'm really interested in hearing what others on this board have to say, since I don't expect my son's case to be resolved by 18 months and I would really like to continue treatment. - Kathy, mom to , almost 15 months, Starband 2.5 months joeandmiri wrote: Hi, today i was really proud of myself for getting my son the starband at young age, even though he had a mild case. I went shopping today for the first time with my son (6 months old 3 weeks in starband). All the children in the supermarket stared at my sons helmet. Anyway I bumped into a friend of mine, she saw my son in the band and showed me her son 's head. He has a big bump on 1 side of his head. The other side is pretty flat. It looks bad. He is 18 months old. I fealt so sorry for her. She said she went to the orthotist and they told her that it is too late for a band. Did anybody do a band at that age and it helped? Thanks Miriam