Getting helmet this week!

[Guest guest]

We are so excited that my son's helmet is arriving this week! He is 7 1/2 months now and we've been trying to get the helmet for nearly 2 months now (between the doctors not having any available appointments for two weeks out--the craniologist and the orthotist; waiting for insurance approval; and ordering the actual helmet). Didn't know it'd be like jumping through hoops.

Does anyone have any advice for us starting out? I'm curious to see how he reacts to having it on his head. It is a StarBand from Hanger so I know it's going to be a little bit heavier and bulkier than the DocBand. Is there anything I should particularly ask the orthotist when it's being fitted on him for the first time? Anything you would do over if you could? I'm just really new to this and I want it to be a great experience from the start.

Also, has anyone had experience with painting the helmet a solid color before the stickers? I really want to, but I'm wondering if I'll have to re-paint it in a few weeks?

Thanks for all your input everyone. You're a great support team.

Lindsey

mom to Eli, 7 1/2 months (very soon to be in StarBand)

[Guest guest]

Hi Lindsey,

My daughter has a Hanger helmet, and she adjusted to it more resiliently than we

did! My advice is to not tell your baby that it's going to be a negative, awful

experience, and to try not to give off that vibe. Praise your little one's

brave behavior, give lots of extra cuddles, follow diligently all helmet care

instructions, especially for the first week leading up to 23 hour wearing, and

get as much rest as you possibly can. The first week's schedule is a bit

daunting, but my daughter had completely adjusted by day 2. Babies are amazing!

If you need to freak out or vent, do it here, or during baby's nap time. Also,

don't be afraid to contact your orthosist if you have questions or concerns.

Your job is to advocate for your little one's well being.

I know Hanger can let you choose a solid color for your band, but triple check

your order with your orthosist. We ordered a pink one, and it never was filled

out on the form. Ours arrived stark white! So rude! (But stickers did the

trick and it's now adorable.)

Good luck!

Best,

Mom to Alena, 8 months old

8 weeks in Hanger band, Sacramento, CA

>

>

> We are so excited that my son's helmet is arriving this week! He is 7

> 1/2 months now and we've been trying to get the helmet for nearly 2

> months now (between the doctors not having any available appointments

> for two weeks out--the craniologist and the orthotist; waiting for

> insurance approval; and ordering the actual helmet). Didn't know it'd

> be like jumping through hoops.

>

> Does anyone have any advice for us starting out? I'm curious to see how

> he reacts to having it on his head. It is a StarBand from Hanger so I

> know it's going to be a little bit heavier and bulkier than the DocBand.

> Is there anything I should particularly ask the orthotist when it's

> being fitted on him for the first time? Anything you would do over if

> you could? I'm just really new to this and I want it to be a great

> experience from the start.

>

> Also, has anyone had experience with painting the helmet a solid color

> before the stickers? I really want to, but I'm wondering if I'll have

> to re-paint it in a few weeks?

>

> Thanks for all your input everyone. You're a great support team.

>

> Lindsey

>

> mom to Eli, 7 1/2 months (very soon to be in StarBand)

>

[Guest guest]

Wow Lindsey,

Congratulations on your StarBand Helmet choice. Our daughter andra started

wearing her starband helmet at 7 months and will have worn it a whole month this

friday. it was a very easy transition for us and our baby. the figit a bit at

first, but if you follow the break in period strictly it is a snap. Now, she

really fussses when you go to take it off rather than putting it on. she is up

to her 23 hours per day without a glitch. Just make sure that you clean it and

keep an eye on how much it moves in the first couple weeks. we had to take ours

back to be adjusted because it kept moving down over her eyes while she was

laying down.

Good luck. If you have any questions or need further assistance. You can feel

free to visit our website www.alexandrasphate.org . we have started a

foundation to assist families who cannot afford the helmets and educate them

regarding torticollis and plagiiocephaly. you can also post a picture of Eli

there in his starband helmet by visiting our Kids Gallery. Keep in touch.

>

>

> We are so excited that my son's helmet is arriving this week! He is 7

> 1/2 months now and we've been trying to get the helmet for nearly 2

> months now (between the doctors not having any available appointments

> for two weeks out--the craniologist and the orthotist; waiting for

> insurance approval; and ordering the actual helmet). Didn't know it'd

> be like jumping through hoops.

>

> Does anyone have any advice for us starting out? I'm curious to see how

> he reacts to having it on his head. It is a StarBand from Hanger so I

> know it's going to be a little bit heavier and bulkier than the DocBand.

> Is there anything I should particularly ask the orthotist when it's

> being fitted on him for the first time? Anything you would do over if

> you could? I'm just really new to this and I want it to be a great

> experience from the start.

>

> Also, has anyone had experience with painting the helmet a solid color

> before the stickers? I really want to, but I'm wondering if I'll have

> to re-paint it in a few weeks?

>

> Thanks for all your input everyone. You're a great support team.

>

> Lindsey

>

> mom to Eli, 7 1/2 months (very soon to be in StarBand)

>