Re: Starting DOC Band tomorrow...what to expect?

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

Everything you are feeling is perfectly normal. I think after a

couple of weeks you will be pleasantly surprised. My son was banded

for over 7 months and I only ever had one rude comment. I actually

had a couple of moms come up to me to share their " plagio "

experience. I've found that if you decorate the band, it will make

Connor more approachable. I had Aidan's name on his and would change

out his " theme " and people would come up and say, " hey Aidan, I like

your frogs " or whatever.

As for sleep, it never affected my son. Fine from day one. Good

luck.

Natasha

Atlanta, GA

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Kim,

The feelings that you are expressing are exactly the thoughts that

I had prior to Austin getting his helmet. I guess I discovered that

the main fear was my own vanity. I didn't want people thinking that

anything was wrong with my baby, that I had done something wrong.

Anyway, after 2 weeks with the band, I have been nothing but

impressed with EVERYONE. We go to the park all the time and parents

just talk about what a cutie he is and then ask. The kids are more

up front and want to know immediately why he is wearing the helmet,

but as soon as you start to explain, they could care less, they just

want to push him in the swing and play with him. We also go to a

Gymboree type of class and as soon as we arrived, I explained, and

nothing else came of it.

As for being self conscious, Austin could care less. He has no

clue he is any different and acts exactly the same (that was a big

fear of my husband's, as children's personalities are shaped so much

in those first 2 years). Anyway, I hope this is helpful and best of

luck. I know it will go well.

Molly Yi

Mom to Austin, Starband since 5/3/04

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

My son got his helmet last Friday, on his 7th month birthday so your

feelings are still very fresh to me! For the first few days, you

could see Nate's ego deflate when we put the helmet on. He was still

playing and laughing, but just not the same as without the helmet.

He cried the first few times he saw himself in the mirror. (I

couldn't believe it.) But yesterday was a huge improvement! He was

back to being Nate! I think, with him at least, the longer he wears

it in a day (yesterday was 7 hours on/1 hour off) the better he is

because there isn't the constant reminder of what it's like without

the helmet. And don't worry about the other children! We've kept up

our normal routine and activities since Nate got his helmet and the

children have been wonderful! At church on Sunday, several of the

little ones came right up to Nate. They didn't even seem to notice

the helmet was there. We've had pretty good reactions from adults

as well. There have of course been some rude people, but I figure

there are rude people in my path every day, I'm just more sensitive

to it these days! So far, I haven't had anyone ask why he's in the

helmet. But I'm ready with my response!! As for the sleeping, Nate

hasn't kept his on at night yet (tonight will be the first try), but

the ortho did tell me not to have him nap in it until he go back for

the first adjustment, and Nate has fallen asleep in the helmet every

time I've put it on him!

Good luck today!

Mom to Nate (7 months)

Maine

> --- In Plagiocephaly , " Kim " <kimandkevin@c...>

wrote:

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> > adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so

nervous.

> > I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> > staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really.

Do

> > you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is

it

> > just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> > personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> > Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> > people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> > doesn't it!?!?

> >

> > How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> > helmet/band? Any suggestions?

> >

> > Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

> town!

> > Kim

[Guest guest]

Relax, everything you're feeling is normal. At least I hope so

because I felt like that too. And no one even cares. They say how

cute and all that. Some ask what it's for, most think it's to

protect him if he falls from walking or something. LOL. I had the

greatest ice breaker with the front sticker that said " whose idea

was this? " I have to get it again, it was great. And trust me when

I say you will get used to see him in the band rather quickly!!!!

It's so weird to see him without it for that hour. The other kids

in playgroup or at the park don't even care or stare or anything.

We do a lot of MOMS Club activities and the other kids don't say

anything either. So don't worry, you'll be fine. And he will be

too. sleeps fine in it. He plays fine in it and even walks

fine in it. I swear it gave him this confidence or something. He

started hitting all these milestones after he got the band. It's

the oddest thing. LOL.

Let us know how he does!!!!

Deb and (17 mos) in NJ DOC Banded 4/6/04

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is

it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I think it's so cool that alot of us are going through the exact

same thing with you. Just knowing there are other parents out there

now having the same concerns, hopefully, will ease your mind a bit.

will have been DOCbanded exactly one week tomorrow!!! He's

takin to it just fine. I started him sleeping in it the second night,

but I did start out with two naps first just to " break him in " when

lying down.

Don't know if I will ever not be self conscious when we go out

though. I try not to let it hinder me and do our normal routine.

I think most educated adults would see a helmet and think probably

the child had surgery or something. It looks fairly medical even

decorated so I'm always surprised people mention others think their

infants bang their heads alot. I'm also really surprised that others

hear rude comments as well. Doesn't make a bit of sense to me. Would

somebody be rude to a person on crutches or sporting a sling??

Like the other responses....kids really don't care at this stage

what they look like. They all just want to play and have a good time.

Watch he won't even notice its on in a day or two. I've shown

himself in the mirror. He just smiles. That tells me too that if he

doesn't care I should either!!!!

Good luck,

Crista (Mom to 7 1/2 mo DOCBanded 5/13)

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hello Kim

We had a different band (Cranio Helmet from Germany), but Willow

didn't care about her helmet at all. She napped in it right away

and slept in it the first night without a fuzz. To be honest. I

don't think babies at this age know the difference between a hat/cap

or a helmet. The only thing that Willow noticed were the nice

people coming up telling her how cute she was. Of course she loved

that. Let us know how the fitting goes. It should be a breeze

compared to the casting.

Sandy WIllow's Mom

Torticollis resolved

Cranio Germany Grad 02/04

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is

it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

I myself also having a 7 mo. old Connor, understand your fears.

Connor received his helmet/band 2 weeks ago. He adjusted very quickly

and hasn't had any problem sleeping in it. Most of the time I don't

think he even notices it's there and neither do the other babies at

his daycare. I haven't noticed any change in his personality at all.

I definitely think it's tougher on us to wonder what people are

thinking and having them stare sometimes, but it really hasn't been

that bad so far. Most people just say how cute he is and don't even

mention the helmet. When people ask questions, just try and think of

it as an opportunity to educate them about plagio. I'm sure you and

Connor will do just fine!

Connor (PPO helmet 5/4/04)

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

I see you already got a ton of great responses, but I just wanted to

tell you that I do think the band brings more stares, etc, but

Connor will probably delight in the extra attention. He won't know

why more people are noticing him, but I'm sure he'll love it! Most

people don't really ask and for awhile I felt like I needed to

explain it to everyone, but now we just go about our business and I

forget it's even there! Please let us know how the fitting goes!

, mom to Hannah, DOCband #3 3/30

Cape Cod, Ma

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is

it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim!!

I feel the exact same way! My son, (6 1/2 mos), will be DOC

banded tomorrow and I have the same concerns. We have a graduation to

go to on Saturday and a party on Sunday and I am already very anxious

how people are going to react to him. I know I should just look at it

as a time to educate people about plagio, but instead I am worried

about what everyone is going to think. After reading all of the past

posts, I know that my/our feelings are completely normal. We will get

through this! After a few weeks we will forget they are even wearing

bands. Keep us posted on how his fitting goes!

Good luck!!

Jill (mom to , 6 1/2 mos to be banded tomorrow!)

Dallas

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I've spent time reading a ton on the DOC Band and how babies

> adjust. Connor (7 mos.) starts his tomorrow and I'm so nervous.

> I'm nervous about going back to gymboree and having other babies

> staring at Connor, or the gym care center, or anywhere really. Do

> you think they have any since of self-conscienceness (sp?) or is it

> just all fun and games to them. Connor has such an outgoing fun

> personality, even at 7 months. I'm so scared of changing that.

> Also, deep down, I don't really want to answer all the questions

> people will ask, or for that matter just think...sounds terrible

> doesn't it!?!?

>

> How did everyone do on the first night sleeping with the

> helmet/band? Any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for listening...I know I'm venting! Husband is out of

town!

> Kim