Guest guest Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 I've noticed that many babies are getting fitted for 2 or even 3 DOC bands and I was wondering why this is. Is it to get the most correction? Why is one not enough? And has anyone heard of a baby getting more than 1 Starband also or is it just the DOC band which is fitted for more than once? Any knowledge would be appreciated as I have a 7 mo old with brachycephaly and am having to choose between a DOC or Starband. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Hmmm, I'm trying to think if I've heard of babies in multiple STARbands for reasons other than fit issues. I'm sure STARband users will chime in. I will say that there are probably more DOCband users active on our site, so that could be part of it. The thickness of the foam in a STARband generally seems to be thicker from pictures I've seen. With a DOCband, Cranial Tech experimented w/various foam thicknesses and found the one they currently use to be most effective. We were also told at the moderator conference that after a certain amount of time, even if the band does still fit, the pressure points become less effective and they will recommend a new helmet w/fresh pressure points. As the head shape changes, the places you need pressure changes and some babies even have a different shaped helmet the second time around. I'm not sure exactly how a single STARband could be effective long term in a case of a baby w/severe plagio like my Hannah. Basically CT determines the life of a helmet to be over when there is no more foam to shave out or when the pressure points are no longer effective. Hannah started out very severe and grew out of her first two bands. She started at 20mm, improved to 10mm w/the first band in only 10 wks (she was banded at 4.5mos). We saw less correction w/the second band in a longer period of time as she was older (started at 8.5mos). They determed she did not need a third band. Four months later I questioned regression, but we did not do an exit cast so could not confirm it. I had her pictures re-done to compare and CT agreed that she probably would see further correction from a third band so we decided to go for it while we still could. I was less happy w/her headshape at 14 mos once I was able to put her hair in a top pony tail and it really showed her remaining flatness! A third band is pretty uncommmon, though there are a few of us around! As far as the brachy goes, hopefully a STARband parent of a brachy baby will chime in b/c I can't think of any right now! I know CT has done research w/their bands and treating bracy, but I'm not sure about specifics w/the STARband. , mom to Hannah, DOCband #3 3/30 Cape Cod, Ma > I've noticed that many babies are getting fitted for 2 or even 3 DOC > bands and I was wondering why this is. Is it to get the most > correction? Why is one not enough? And has anyone heard of a baby > getting more than 1 Starband also or is it just the DOC band which > is fitted for more than once? Any knowledge would be appreciated as > I have a 7 mo old with brachycephaly and am having to choose between > a DOC or Starband. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 gave an excellent response to your question. I'll just add that I've only heard of additional Starbands when there was a fit problem and a new one needed to be cast. Something to think about also is that IF additional bands are needed they are usually covered under insurance as continuation of care. Natasha > I've noticed that many babies are getting fitted for 2 or even 3 DOC > bands and I was wondering why this is. Is it to get the most > correction? Why is one not enough? And has anyone heard of a baby > getting more than 1 Starband also or is it just the DOC band which > is fitted for more than once? Any knowledge would be appreciated as > I have a 7 mo old with brachycephaly and am having to choose between > a DOC or Starband. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 Hi, I'm not very knowledgeable about some of the design/protocol issues that spoke about in her response, but I wanted to raise a treatment age issue that may affect number of bands. Since the DOCband can be used on babies up to 24 months in certain cases, some parents opt for that additional band when their babies are an advanced age and they wish to try and glean some additional improvement if needed. With some other brands of passive helmets, treatment at an advanced age is not offerred, so it may not be optioned, even if a bit of additional improvement might have been realized. I have also noticed that, thankfully, I am seeing instances of younger and younger babies diagnosed, and, in certain cases, beginning band treatment at the youngest age for recommended treatment. Besides the numerous growth spurts taking place, the head shape can round and change all over very quickly. I have read of some very fast use rates for the DOCband as growth and changing head shape used up adjustment material and band tension in a very young baby. These are just what I have read about in past posts, but I'm sure you will get some more knowledgeable replies! Good luck in your research of the two products you are considering. Active bands such as the DOC and Star are good choices for a baby the age of yours with brachycephaly. Take care, Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy) > I've noticed that many babies are getting fitted for 2 or even 3 DOC > bands and I was wondering why this is. Is it to get the most > correction? Why is one not enough? And has anyone heard of a baby > getting more than 1 Starband also or is it just the DOC band which > is fitted for more than once? Any knowledge would be appreciated as > I have a 7 mo old with brachycephaly and am having to choose between > a DOC or Starband. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 I just learned that the life of the Doc Band is 16 weeks. My son was first banded at 7 months and grew out of it in 10 weeks. At that time we were still seeing some good correction so went for Band 2. He has been in for 13 weeks now and still has plenty of room in it because his grwoth has slowed so much. First the doctor said he could just stay in it until he grew out of it. But when I talked to cranial tech on Friday they said that after 16 weeks it would be like just wearing a hat because the pressure points would not be effective after that. I still would like to see some more correction so we are going for #3 just to see if we can get a little more, even though not expecting a huge change becuase of his age. He will be almost 15 months by the time he gets into the 3rd. Dara > I've noticed that many babies are getting fitted for 2 or even 3 DOC > bands and I was wondering why this is. Is it to get the most > correction? Why is one not enough? And has anyone heard of a baby > getting more than 1 Starband also or is it just the DOC band which > is fitted for more than once? Any knowledge would be appreciated as > I have a 7 mo old with brachycephaly and am having to choose between > a DOC or Starband. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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