DOC band novice seeking tips

[Guest guest]

My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it

July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot

(especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and hard

to sleep in.

So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please

share them!

I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to

sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin

breakdown.

Also, is nursing a problem?

And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and

stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and Mod

Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole thing

off?

Thanks from a nervous mommy.

Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

My name is . I live in Charlotte. Where do you live in NC.

I am also new to DOC Band. , my 3 month old, just got his

measurments and pictures done. Just waiting on news from insurance.

I would love to keep in touch with you since our chilren are close in

age and we both live in NC. This whole Plagiocephaly/Torticollis

thing has me worried and nervious. I wish I was warned about it

predelivery.

Have you been to: www.cranialtech.com?

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

Welcome to the group! My baby was banded in the summer time. I

dressed her lightly, no shoes or socks. I kept her in the air

conditioning when at all possible. And I took her band off a few

times a day and wiped her head and the inside down w/a towel. In the

beginning he is going to sweat A LOT. That will ease up once his body

temp adjusts to the band.

You don't need to position him in any special position once he is

banded. Let him sleep the way he is most comfortable. The one way to

avoid skin breakdowns is if he has a red mark that doesn't fade w/in

an hour keep the band off of him until it is adjusted.

I was done nursing my daughter when she was first banded, from what I

understand in the beginning it's a little awkward. But not so much

that it'll make you want to stop nursing. It's just something you'll

get used to.

I didn't use paint to decorate her band. I used rub on transfers and

stickers which I sealed w/mod podge. When I wanted to change the

decorations I just peeled the mod podge off.

Don't be nervous, it's really not that bad!

> My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it

> July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot

> (especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and

hard

> to sleep in.

>

> So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please

> share them!

>

> I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to

> sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin

> breakdown.

>

> Also, is nursing a problem?

>

> And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and

> stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and Mod

> Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole thing

> off?

>

> Thanks from a nervous mommy.

>

> Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. I don't recall seeing a post from you before.

Would you please share your story w/us?

Your getting such an early start, your baby is going to get some

excellent correction! Please keep us posted.

> Hi Bonnie,

> My name is . I live in Charlotte. Where do you live in

NC.

> I am also new to DOC Band. , my 3 month old, just got his

> measurments and pictures done. Just waiting on news from

insurance.

> I would love to keep in touch with you since our chilren are close

in

> age and we both live in NC. This whole Plagiocephaly/Torticollis

> thing has me worried and nervious. I wish I was warned about it

> predelivery.

> Have you been to: www.cranialtech.com?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie:As others replied, dress him lighter for the summer mos & hopefully if you have it, keep the central air going. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised at how well he sleeps in his new band! Most babies sleep w/o problems from day one, some do take a bit longer to adjust to sleeping w/it, but usually w/i a week or so, they're sleeping as usual. You also don't need to worry about "positioning" him anylonger while sleeping in the band

There are decorating tips at www.plagiocephaly.org/support and I think in the parents section at www.cranialtech.com

Let us know when the band is in. Good luck!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

dovbon <dovbon@...> wrote:

My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot (especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and hard to sleep in. So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please share them!I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin breakdown.Also, is nursing a problem?And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and Mod Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole thing off?Thanks from a nervous mommy.Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie:

Welcome to the this wonderful group. My son on who is 5 1/2

months old just got his doc band this past Monday. I thought he was

gonna have a tough time because of his eczema but he is such a

trouper. I honestly have to say 95% of time he doesn't even realize

its on and the other 5 % he is aware because he wants to scratch his

head. And sleeping positions would depend on your son. on

likes sleeping on his back...so he sleeps on his back. Your son will

sleep however he wants to...and that's perfectly fine. It's a great

relief not having to repo him on his side...that was a pain in the

butt. He only woke up two times the first night...the second night he

didn't even wink. We live in TX so I know the heat is awful for them

esp. in their helmets. I bought a mini foam fan from WalMart and use

it whenever I think his cheeks get rosy...it seems to help...also I

have been giving him cold water to drink. My orthotist recommended

taking the helmet off every 4 hours to wipe his head and helmet and

then putting it right back on...that should help with the sweating

and keep their precious heads cooler. As for decorating the

helmet...no suggestions from me...I just put the stickers on the

helmet and praying that it will stay on for at least two weeks...so

far so good..we're on day 4...definitely not a Martha .

Good Luck and congratulations on your son getting the band...the hard

part was the casting...now your son will on his way to rounding out

his noggin. Keep us posted regarding his fitting. I'm sure the gals

on this board will give you lots more great advice.

Lori and on docbanded 6/23/03

> My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it

> July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot

> (especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and

hard

> to sleep in.

>

> So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please

> share them!

>

> I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to

> sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin

> breakdown.

>

> Also, is nursing a problem?

>

> And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and

> stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and Mod

> Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole thing

> off?

>

> Thanks from a nervous mommy.

>

> Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

My 6 month old has been in her DOCband for 6 weeks now and I can

tell you that it really isn't something you have to be nervous

about. The casting is the worst part! I've been putting Hannah to

sleep in just a onesie and dressing her lightly during the day. I'm

nursing her and really haven't found it to be too much of a

problem. It was a bit awkward at first, but eventually I got used

to it. The band did smoosh up her face a little, but she didn't

care as long as she was being fed! I always put a burp cloth on my

arm as padding because you'll get a good DOCband indent in your arm

if you don't! As far as decorating, we just use stickers and mod

podge and it's super easy and comes off without a problem. Good

luck.

, mom to Hannah (12/23)DOCbanded 5/12

Cape Cod, Ma

> My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it

> July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot

> (especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and

hard

> to sleep in.

>

> So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please

> share them!

>

> I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to

> sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin

> breakdown.

>

> Also, is nursing a problem?

>

> And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and

> stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and

Mod

> Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole

thing

> off?

>

> Thanks from a nervous mommy.

>

> Bonnie

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie!

I know you have had several replies, but I wanted to chime in and welcome you! This is a wonderful group with lots of helpful information. My son has been in his DocBand for a little over 2 weeks and we are in TX where it is hot, hot, hot!

We did notice a little discomfort the first night, but on the 2nd day installed a ceiling fan and that seemed to do the trick. If they are hot, it can irritate their skin and make them uncomfortable. If you are outside, just make sure you take it off occasionally to wipe down his head and the inside of the band.

As far as positions, suddenly having a "round" head created all different kinds of sleep positions for my usual back sleeper, right side, lol We just finished nursing, so I cannot help you there, but I think most members have said it can still be done!

We used clear backed stickers and mod podge and it turned out great. You can see Trentyn's safari theme in the photo section. We are switching to a 4th of July theme tomorrow! Hope your band comes in soon!

Jen- TXTrentyn- 13 mo. DocBand 06/12/03

DOC band novice seeking tips

My 6-month-old got casted last week for a DOC band and will get it July 2. I'm so worried that he'll find it uncomfortably hot (especially since it's summer and we live in NOrth Carolina) and hard to sleep in. So if anyone who's already been through this has any tips, please share them!I'm particularly looking for any info on how to position babies to sleep in the helmet, how to keep them cool and how to prevent skin breakdown.Also, is nursing a problem?And any decorating advice is welcome too! I got Mod Podge and stickers today; if I use acrylic paint, then apply stickers and Mod Podge, is that permanent? Or will I be able to peel the whole thing off?Thanks from a nervous mommy.BonnieFor more plagio info