Guest guest Posted February 3, 2004 Report Share Posted February 3, 2004 Hi All, My son goes this afternoon to get his star helmet. (He is 5 months old) I hate the idea of course but I am hoping it is the right decision. I'd like to hear from anyone who also used the starband instead of the doc band and what the results were. Also, is there anyone else in this group from Gainesville, FL? Thanks, Tris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 21, 2004 Report Share Posted September 21, 2004 The STARband is very light and made for infants. I'm not sure how old your daughter is but you haven't indicate she has any other health issues. So, if no other issues are present (and even if she does have tort or a weak neck) the band should not interfere at all. She may have a few days of fussiness getting used to it but most children don't even notice. My dd got her DOC band (very similar to Star band) at 4 1/2 months, she never noticed it. She slept well, ate well, learned how to sit up, perfected rolling over, learned how to crawl, pull herself up, etc. Now at 15 months she is right on track and has a round noggin. She wore her band from 4 1/2 to 8 1/2 months of age. Her pics can be seen in the na folders or on our website. mom to na DOC Grad Tort Resolved SC www.thefilyaws.compugsy__@... wrote: Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were just thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold her head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she won't be comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and healthy and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice is welcome. ThanksFor more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 , I think it becomes a "part" of them, a prized possession, a security blanket. When it's gone they just don't understand why they can't have it. That being said na got over it very quickly. We found out rather unexpectedly that she graduated (she grew out of it). Took it off, did an exit cast, and never looked back. She really never knew what hit her - lol mom to na DOC grad SChessstephanie <hessstephanie@...> wrote: This is such a strange phenomenon. I have now read several times about babies who are so unhappy in the hour when they have their helmet off. I wonder if the band somehow relieves them of potential headaches they may have with their head assymetry. Or whether it just becomes "part of their body".(, 14 months, plagio)> My daughter Jenna wore a STARband from age 9 to 12 months. It didn't affect > her personality,sleep,development in anyway.> > After a week of having her band she would cry when it was her hour off. She > would try to put it back on her head.> > How old is your daughter?> > Welcome to the group and let us know if we can answer any questions.> > Angie and Jenna(STAR graD)> Starband> > > >> > Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are> > scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were just> > thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold her> > head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she won't be> > comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and healthy> > and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice is> > welcome.> > Thanks> >> >> >> >> > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 I dont know. I know she was one unhappy baby when it was off. Angie Starband >> >> >> > >> > Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are >> > scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were just >> > thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold > her >> > head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she won't > be >> > comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and > healthy >> > and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice is >> > welcome. >> > Thanks >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 did the same thing with his DOC Band. My theory is that it felt like his head was being cuddled all the time. He had a complete emotional/developmental regression when it came off for good, and is still catching up again. I have had to hide the band! Maybe he felt safer or more secure... I don't know. I'm just really glad he enjoyed wearing it. Sure would have been a bummer if he had fussed the 23 hours ON, rather than the one off! It would be interesting to see a study on it. Sure would reassure all the new parents who worry their child will be unhappy in a band. , 22 mos, DOC Grad 9/7 > > > This is such a strange phenomenon. I have now read several times > > about babies who are so unhappy in the hour when they have their > > helmet off. I wonder if the band somehow relieves them of potential > > headaches they may have with their head assymetry. Or whether it just > > becomes " part of their body " . > > > > > > (, 14 months, plagio) > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 and anyone else, Is there any information on long term effects for plagio babies using bands. I just can't get past that I can't find any information about kids that are 4 or 5 or even 15. I am under the understanding that these are failry new, but does that mean there isn't research on the long term effects of using bands. Help direct me in the right direction for this information. I am supposed to go tomorrow for a fitting. Also, Skylar, my daughter, is a preemie that has no other problems identified at this time. I feel like we were thrown into all of this after asking my pediatrician about her " flat head " for several months. She continually told me she had no concerns at that time. Then, we went to the neonatologist/developmental clinic and I asked the PT and the doc. about her head. They immediately said I could try a band if I wanted to. There was no indication from them that I had to do this or that they strongly recommended this treatment. In fact, they didn't seem to offer too much information whatsoever. I left feeling confused, and now I can't seem to shake the feeling that we should have met with another doctor before seeing the orthosist. Is there a typical schedule of events before getting the helmet? Thanks for you input and advice. Kristyn, mom of Skylar (5.5 months/plagio) > > > This is such a strange phenomenon. I have now read several times > > > about babies who are so unhappy in the hour when they have their > > > helmet off. I wonder if the band somehow relieves them of > potential > > > headaches they may have with their head assymetry. Or whether it > just > > > becomes " part of their body " . > > > > > > > > > (, 14 months, plagio) > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 Kristyn, I am not sure of any studies about the affects and older kids. I can tell you what I know from my 5 year old who was DOC banded at 19 months old and graduated at 21 months old. Before we got into the band she was in occupational therapy for some motor skill delays. I don't know if this had to do with the plagio or not. Once she started into the band she had a complete turn around with her motor skills and shortly after graduating from the band she also graduated from the OT. Today at 5 years old she is very active, and developmentally she is at a 5 year age level in most areas, and older in some. I don't want to scare you with the developmental problems my daughter had as she was about a month premature and it is very possible her delays are linked to that or to something else. If I had it to do all over again I would have fought harder to get her into the band earlier than she was. She got as much correction as she could with one band, but because of her late age at getting into it we were told by CT in Charlotte, NC that she would probably not benefit from a second band. She still has a little bit of a flat spot but now that her hair has grown it is not noticeable to anyone and is only noticable to me when I wash her hair, and mostly cause I know it is there. Hope this helps some on the affects later in life. I was not trying to scare you with the developmental delay talk. Johanna and repo'in lyse >From: pugsy__@... >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: Re: Starband >Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 23:33:14 -0000 > Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! and anyone else, Is there any information on long term effects for plagio babies using bands. I just can't get past that I can't find any information about kids that are 4 or 5 or even 15. I am under the understanding that these are failry new, but does that mean there isn't research on the long term effects of using bands. Help direct me in the right direction for this information. I am supposed to go tomorrow for a fitting. Also, Skylar, my daughter, is a preemie that has no other problems identified at this time. I feel like we were thrown into all of this after asking my pediatrician about her " flat head " for several months. She continually told me she had no concerns at that time. Then, we went to the neonatologist/developmental clinic and I asked the PT and the doc. about her head. They immediately said I could try a band if I wanted to. There was no indication from them that I had to do this or that they strongly recommended this treatment. In fact, they didn't seem to offer too much information whatsoever. I left feeling confused, and now I can't seem to shake the feeling that we should have met with another doctor before seeing the orthosist. Is there a typical schedule of events before getting the helmet? Thanks for you input and advice. Kristyn, mom of Skylar (5.5 months/plagio) > > > This is such a strange phenomenon. I have now read several times > > > about babies who are so unhappy in the hour when they have their > > > helmet off. I wonder if the band somehow relieves them of > potential > > > headaches they may have with their head assymetry. Or whether it > just > > > becomes " part of their body " . > > > > > > > > > (, 14 months, plagio) > > > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 That is great news. Just what I am looking for. I completley understand the developmental delays as my daughter is also a preemie. she is doing great so far is almsot completely caught up to her chronological age in just five months. Thanks for your help and good luck and good luck with your daughter as she enters school. Thanks, Kristyn Kristyn, I am not sure of any studies about the affects and older kids. I can tell you what I know from my 5 year old who was DOC banded at 19 months old and graduated at 21 months old. Before we got into the band she was in occupational therapy for some motor skill delays. I don't know if this had to do with the plagio or not. Once she started into the band she had a complete turn around with her motor skills and shortly after graduating from the band she also graduated from the OT. Today at 5 years old she is very active, and developmentally she is at a 5 year age level in most areas, and older in some. I don't want to scare you with the developmental problems my daughter had as she was about a month premature and it is very possible her delays are linked to that or to something else. If I had it to do all over again I would have fought harder to get her into the band earlier than she was. She got as much correction as she could with one band, but because of her late age at getting into it we were told by CT in Charlotte, NC that she would probably not benefit from a second band. She still has a little bit of a flat spot but now that her hair has grown it is not noticeable to anyone and is only noticable to me when I wash her hair, and mostly cause I know it is there. Hope this helps some on the affects later in life. I was not trying to scare you with the developmental delay talk. Johanna and repo'in lyse > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi Kristyn, welcome to the group. I'm glad you found it. You will get so much wonderful support and advice. We would love to see pics of Skylar too! My son Colin (Colin F. pictures in the " Photos " section) just completed 11 wks of STARband therapy. He hated wearing hats so I was really worried with how he would tolerate it. He was FINE! From Day 1 he didn't even notice that it was on his head (9 mos old). He even slept *better* than he had been the first full night of wearing it (after the break-in period). He crawled, pulled up, walked etc. within normal timeframes and he was just as happy and smiley as ever. We did not have any significant sweating problems (perhaps bcz he's a baldy) or red spots/skin breakdown. I really think that Skylar will tolerate it. Please keep us posted and good luck! Take any usual comfort items to the casting with you. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Sue and Colin F., 1 yr old tomorrow! STARband grad 9/15/04 Buffalo, NY > Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are > scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were just > thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold her > head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she won't be > comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and healthy > and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice is > welcome. > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Thanks Sue! We went for our casting today and it was quite an ordeal. She was far from happy the whole time, but she quickly calmed down after it all. I am finally content with the decision to get the helmet, now i am angry because I didn't push for it earlier and my pediatrician didn't know how serious it was and she didn't think to refer me to anyone else. I am happy to hear Colin is doing well. Happy Birthday to him! Thanks, Kristyn > > Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are > > scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were just > > thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold her > > head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she won't > be > > comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and healthy > > and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice is > > welcome. > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Kristyn, The hard part is over. Skylar sounds like she had a typical response to casting. Aww! Glad she reocvered well. Let us know when it comes in. Meantime if you ahve any ???? let us know. mom to na DOC Grad Tort Resolved SC www.thefilyaws.com > > > Does anyone have any advice about the use of starband. We are > > > scheduled for a casting on Thursday, but I feel like we were > just > > > thrown in. I am worried that my daughter won't be able to hold > her > > > head up once she starts wearing the band. I am worried she > won't > > be > > > comfortable and will cry often. I want her to be happy and > healthy > > > and I need to know I am making the right decision. Any advice > is > > > welcome. > > > Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.