Band is off but I can't relax

[Guest guest]

Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be

done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the

time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and

I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very

pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the

Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She

did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but

it was mild.

The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel

like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing

back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT)

it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the

carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time.

She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is

not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides

or stomach.

I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she

looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems

like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those

brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I

just want to enjoy my little love and move on.

A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like

this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did

anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on

the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????

Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

,My daughter just graduated yesterday and I'm scared about regression, just like you. My daughter is 11 months as well and the orthotist says there's less than 1% chance of regression. I'm sure the way we are feeling is normal, but if you really think there has been some regression, I would take it up w/ the band provider. I'm sure that they could calm your fears.-AmyFrom: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 6:25:16 PMSubject: Band is off but I can't relax

Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild.

The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach.

I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.

A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????

Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

We just started with the Hanger band but I have a feeling I'm going to be just like you once my son graduates so I don't think you're crazy or paranoid at all! I'm already looking for improvement and it's only be 5 days he's been in his band. Hang in there. I'm sure it won't regress or at least I hope not! I'll be curious to see what others have to say about this.

From: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4@...>Subject: Band is off but I can't relaxPlagiocephaly Date: Monday, June 21, 2010, 6:25 PM

Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild. The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of

time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach. I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Amy. I guess logically I know it will be alright but there is that fear that won't go away. If I get too nuts about it, maybe I will go back to CT for peace of mind. It is nice to have this group available with others who understand. My friends can't fully relate because they haven't been there. Congratulations on your daughter's graduation!!! Enjoy the "freedom"!! It took me awhile to get used to not having to clean it, etc.!Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeedFrom: Amy McGinnis <mcg_woo@...>Sender: Plagiocephaly Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 05:59:39 -0700 (PDT)<Plagiocephaly >Reply Plagiocephaly Subject: Re: Band is off but I can't relax ,My daughter just graduated yesterday and I'm scared about regression, just like you. My daughter is 11 months as well and the orthotist says there's less than 1% chance of regression. I'm sure the way we are feeling is normal, but if you really think there has been some regression, I would take it up w/ the band provider. I'm sure that they could calm your fears.-AmyFrom: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4 >Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 6:25:16 PMSubject: Band is off but I can't relax Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild. The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach. I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

Wow great to hear that my husband aren't the only ones with these fears! Our boy is 10mo and he graduates this Thursday! There is obviously no more room for growth in his helmet - that thing is scraped clean - and thankfully they are not recommending a second helmet because we would probably feel guilty enough to get it but really can't afford a second (nor the first really since our ins did not cover one cent!). But we are scared of regression, his sleeping positions, etc. We will continue with the PT thru at least his first birthday - he had tort & plagio, but is now crawling and hopefully walking soon. Thank you for posting this because I think alot of people have the same fears - it's good to know I am not just feeling paranoid and obsessive! Thank you!

From: Amy McGinnis <mcg_woo@...>Subject: Re: Band is off but I can't relaxPlagiocephaly Date: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 5:59 AM

,My daughter just graduated yesterday and I'm scared about regression, just like you. My daughter is 11 months as well and the orthotist says there's less than 1% chance of regression. I'm sure the way we are feeling is normal, but if you really think there has been some regression, I would take it up w/ the band provider. I'm sure that they could calm your fears.-Amy

From: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4 (DOT) com>PlagiocephalySent: Mon, June 21, 2010 6:25:16 PMSubject: Band is off but I can't relax

Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild. The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of

time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach. I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can understand what you are going through. My daughter had severe brachy and

graduated after a short 8 weeks in her band and she was only 7 months old! I was

a nervous wreck and although I saw so much improvement in 8 weeks, I was

disappointed we couldn't afford a second band!

But my daughter is now 14 months old, so I can look back and see that it would

have been dumb for us to try and afford a second band, because her head still

has the same improvements- NO regression, and as her hair has thickened (which

has been free! lol) it just keeps covering any flatness that is left. I know my

daughter's head will never be shaped like some babies, being longer than wider,

but she is adorable and her head fits her.

Some things I did to help myself move on and not concentrate on her head so much

are: quit reading this site... haha- it's been a great support group and I enjoy

reading it now, but I had to separate myself from brachy and plagio talk. I quit

concentrating on other babies head shapes. I tried really hard not to study her

head after she woke up, after she got out of the car seat, etc... I did put away

her swing because I knew it wasn't good for her head. My daughter was younger

than yours and I think her age would help ease your mind. The band made my

daughther's hair fall out and not sure if the same is true for you but I can't

believe how fast it is growing! It doesn't take long to get a full, thick head

of hair! Also, my family and husband refused to discuss it with me. It was

kind of mean but it helped me stop thinking about it. They just always

responded " She looks great. " And it was a dead conversation. My parents were

shocked at how much improvement happened in 8 weeks and I KNOW if they felt like

her head was still bad enough, they would have covered the second band. So that

helped too.

I will say that as they grow and get older, their heads are still changing, but

it doesn't mean they are getting flatter, so don't get the two confused! Your

baby is at the age where soon she'll be more of a toddler, so her look is

constantly changing, including her head and face! That doesn't mean regression!

It probably took 3 weeks until I noticed it really leaving my mind more and

more. Hang in there. Stay disciplined in keeping your mind off of it!

Good luck!

www.leopardorpolkadots.blogspot.com

>

> Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be

done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the

time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and

I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very

pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the

Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She

did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but

it was mild.

>

> The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel

like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing

back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT)

it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the

carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time.

She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is

not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides

or stomach.

>

> I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she

looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems

like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those

brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I

just want to enjoy my little love and move on.

>

> A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like

this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did

anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on

the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????

>

> Thank you in advance,

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also think I'm going to be worried once my son graduates from his band.

However, I think that as babies are older and their heads are growing less

rapidly, flattening and changes are less likely to occur quickly like when they

were just a few weeks/months old. My son's orthotist said that we will do a

couple of transitional weeks of part time wear to monitor his progress. She did

stress the importance of him not sleeping to one side or the other and plenty of

continued tummy time/sitting. It sounded like since older babies are more

mobile and in more positions, that regression is also less likely to occur. I

hope so anyway!

>

>

> From: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4@...>

> Subject: Band is off but I can't relax

> Plagiocephaly

> Date: Monday, June 21, 2010, 6:25 PM

>

>

>  

>

>

>

> Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be

done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the

time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and

I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very

pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the

Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She

did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but

it was mild.

>

> The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel

like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing

back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT)

it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the

carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time.

She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is

not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides

or stomach.

>

> I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she

looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems

like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those

brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I

just want to enjoy my little love and move on.

>

> A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like

this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did

anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on

the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????

>

> Thank you in advance,

>

>

[Guest guest]

My daughter has been out of her band for about a month now and I am just now

starting to feel like it is OK. I too just stared at her head all the time

looking for regression. She just turned 11 months old last week too. So, for me,

eventually (gradually) the anxiety falls away and you just start to see the

curls, eyelashes, sweet smile and the rest that makes your baby the most

precious thing in the world.

JP

>

> Thanks, Amy. I guess logically I know it will be alright but there is that

fear that won't go away.

>

> If I get too nuts about it, maybe I will go back to CT for peace of mind.

>

> It is nice to have this group available with others who understand. My friends

can't fully relate because they haven't been there.

>

> Congratulations on your daughter's graduation!!! Enjoy the " freedom " !! It took

me awhile to get used to not having to clean it, etc.!

>

>

> Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed

>

> Band is off but I can't relax

>

>

> Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be

done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the

time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and

I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very

pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the

Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She

did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but

it was mild.

>

> The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel

like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing

back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT)

it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the

carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time.

She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is

not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides

or stomach.

>

> I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she

looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems

like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those

brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I

just want to enjoy my little love and move on.

>

> A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like

this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did

anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on

the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????

>

> Thank you in advance,

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

You are not alone. My daughter was even older and I was scared to death of regression because I knew that it was too late to band her again if she did regress.

Obviously, I have not completely moved on, but time has helped. Getting more hair and getting haricuts has also helped. My daughter got her first haircut a year ago and she got another haircut a couple of weeks ago. Her hair is now just beyond her shoulders and looks quite thick after this recent cut. Hair does help to hide any remaining bumps and imperfections. I mean, it's not like all heads are perfect - it's just that we have spent so much time analyzing our own baby's head that we see everything that isn't.

My daughter is approaching 3 and has been out of her band around 13 months. As she gets older, her personality and other skills have really outshined any small imperfections that the band didn't correct. So, in that sense, I have moved on. I still notice the ridges in the back and the flat spot that is left, but I notice it mostly when I comb and wash her hair. Sometimes, I look at her head and am amazed that she ended up looking as good as she does because I know what she started with. But, time does help and so does finding other things to focus on. I could keep doing alternative treatments to get further correction with her head, but I have decided that we are done. Other than continuing with the chiro for maintenance purposes, we've decided to put our time, money, and efforts towards gymastics and swimming this summer.

, mom to , 2 3/4 years

STARband grad May 2009

Chiro and CST

land

From: carrie_fl4 <carrie_fl4@...>Plagiocephaly Sent: Mon, June 21, 2010 6:25:16 PMSubject: Band is off but I can't relax

Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild. The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of

time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach. I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing things????Thank you in advance,

[Guest guest]

Thank you everyone for your responses!!! Seriously, it has already helped I am going to write more later when I get a minute but I wanted to send out a big thank you for the support!!!!!

From: <julesfrommobile@...>Subject: Re: Band is off but I can't relaxPlagiocephaly Date: Friday, June 25, 2010, 11:42 PM

My daughter has been out of her band for about a month now and I am just now starting to feel like it is OK. I too just stared at her head all the time looking for regression. She just turned 11 months old last week too. So, for me, eventually (gradually) the anxiety falls away and you just start to see the curls, eyelashes, sweet smile and the rest that makes your baby the most precious thing in the world. JP>> Thanks, Amy. I guess logically I know it will be alright but there is that fear that won't go away. > > If I get too nuts about it, maybe I will go back to CT for peace of mind. > > It is nice to have this group available with others who understand. My friends

can't fully relate because they haven't been there. > > Congratulations on your daughter's graduation!!! Enjoy the "freedom"!! It took me awhile to get used to not having to clean it, etc.!> > > Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone with SprintSpeed> > Band is off but I can't relax> > > Hi, my daughter graduated from her DOC band last month. I was so happy to be done with it although there was still some asymmetry. (I felt ok about it at the time because there was so much improvement) She had a combo of plagio-brachy and I don't have beginning or ending numbers to refer to just that I was very pleased with the results as well as with CT. We worked with Benita at the Pasadena office and we loved her and she was very pleased with the results. She did not push a second band on us, just said there was still some asymmetry but it was mild. > > The problem is, I just can't relax and let go of this whole experience. I feel like I am obsessed with staring at her head and so neurotic about her regressing back. I don't worry about the plagio (her tort is gone and she has graduated PT) it is the brachy. I feel stressed and anxious

any time I have to put her in the carseat or her stroller. And she is not in them all day or long periods of time. She is 11 months old so when she is awake she is sitting or standing so it is not like she is on her back often. And when she sleeps it is usually her sides or stomach. > > I am probably just being nutty (my husband and friends say so...! They say she looks great and when she has more hair I will never notice) but to me it seems like she is getting flatter on back. I just keep seeing and focusing on those brachy characteristics and it is killing me. I don't want to be like this, I just want to enjoy my little love and move on.> > A second band is not an option for us, this was it. Has anyone else felt like this after their child graduated? Any tips for letting go and moving on? Did anyone notice any regression after? Is that even likely when she is rarely on the back of her head anymore - maybe I am seeing

things????> > Thank you in advance,> >