Re: Part-Time Wear

[Guest guest]

Hi , I agree. I think an attentive parent would be able to tell if the

band didn't fit correctly.

I didn't want to give any misinformation, so I asked my ortho to clarify. She

replied that she couldn't speak for the STARband, but as for the DOCBand, if the

head grows with the band off, the head can very quickly get too big for the band

and not fit properly. It depends on how old the baby is – the younger the baby

the faster the growth, the less time it would take for the band not to fit.

If a baby is only wearing their band at night, the band would probably be

outgrown more quickly than if it was worn full time. And even if it were worn

all the time eventually at some point the head circumference gets too big for

any band.

In any case, the practitioner can assess the fit of the band better than anyone

and they can see if it is outgrown. If the band feels snug and the Velcro feels

different – then the band shouldn't be worn. It can actually make the head

shape worse.

> >

> > My son has been in his helmet now for ten weeks and has made tremendous

progress.  At his helmet appointment this past Wednesday, our orthist said that

when we meet with his plastic surgeon (he wrote the prescription and checked

Ethan's head to rule out any other problems prior to getting his helmet) that he

will probably recommend that Ethan go to part-time wear which would mostly

consist of nights and during naps (Ethan still sleeps on his back).  When Ethan

isn't sleeping, he is sitting up or playing in his exersaucer, so he's not

putting any pressure on the back of his head.  I believe that's a big reason

that he will recommend part-time wear.  I'm just wondering if anyone else has

experienced this and what it has been like.  I am very excited for him to get

his helmet off and to have his little head back; however, I don't want any

regression because of how well he has done.  Honestly, I was initially

completely scared of him getting his helmet, but now I'm also scared about him

getting it off.  When he's got it on I know that no harm is coming to his

little noggin.

> > Thanks ~

> > Mom to Ethan (Starband since 11/4/09)

> >

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