Re: breastfeeding and DOC band

[Guest guest]

Hi , I do not breastfeed so I can't answer your question

regarding that, but I can answer the other question that you had.

>>do you take the band on and off for dressing? How do you get

onesies over their heads otherwise?

I usually keep the band on while dressing . The onesies

actually fit over the band. Most of his shirts, and outfits do too.

Here and there I will find a shirt that doesn't fit so I will take it

off. But you'll be surprised what can fit over that band!

Marcy & (6 months)

DOC Band baby

Brachy/Plagio

--- In Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thanks for replying Marcy, That is good news about dressing the baby

with a DOC band. I am a bit nervous about the casting next week but

anxious to get started so 's head can be corrected. How is it

going for your son? Did you decorate his helmet?

Sincerely,

> > Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> > week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> > currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

> hot.

> > Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

> take

> > the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

their

> > heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I

was

> > curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My daughther was the same age when she got her first DOCband. It

takes a little adjusting, but breastfeeding is certainly possible.

You'll need to leave the band on for most feedings at least in order

to keep his time off limited to an hour, per CT's protocol. It

helps to put a thick burp cloth under the helmet to keep your arm

more comfortable, especially where the velcro closure is. You do

have to take the band off for things like onesies, but I usually

found I was only putting those on in the morning during her hour off

anyway. Your son should see great progress at such a young age.

You can check out my Hannah's progress pics in the photo section.

, mom to Hannah, DOCgrad

Cape Cod, Ma

--- In Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I stopped breastfeeding Aidan a long long time ago - but I know we

have a number of members here who are experienced with that so I'm

sure you will get some great advice.

About dressing, I actually take Aidan's band off each morning when I

get him out of his PJ's and into his clothes, it's only off for 2

minutes and it's much easier than pulling stuff over the band.

Good luck with the fitting! BTW don't hesitate to ask any questions

here, we all started out where you are not knowing what to expect

(don't worry about anything sounding silly!)

& Aidan in CT

1 year old, doc band 7/21

--- In Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply , I will look at Hannah's picture. THat is

great she has already graduated. Thanks,

> > Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> > week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> > currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

> hot.

> > Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

> take

> > the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

> their

> > heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I

was

> > curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hello , Thanks for your reply. It is so helpful to hear from

several people about this and nice to know there is a place to talk

about it. Thanks,

-- In Plagiocephaly , " " <andcable03@y...> wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> I stopped breastfeeding Aidan a long long time ago - but I know we

> have a number of members here who are experienced with that so I'm

> sure you will get some great advice.

>

> About dressing, I actually take Aidan's band off each morning when

I

> get him out of his PJ's and into his clothes, it's only off for 2

> minutes and it's much easier than pulling stuff over the band.

>

> Good luck with the fitting! BTW don't hesitate to ask any questions

> here, we all started out where you are not knowing what to expect

> (don't worry about anything sounding silly!)

>

> & Aidan in CT

> 1 year old, doc band 7/21

>

>

> > Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> > week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> > currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

> hot.

> > Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

> take

> > the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

their

> > heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I

was

> > curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi there

I've breastfed my daughter with her band on, but I do think you have

to be a bit creative with the positions. The good thing is that of

course you don't have to worry about repo positions once the band is

on, so you can do whatever it takes! I often feed lying down with my

daughter on the bed, sofa etc so there is no band digging into me, I

also find this relaxing. Otherwise, having something to stop the

band digging in is a good one, which someone else has suggested.

It can feel a bit awkward feeding with a band when you are used to

their snuggly head. One idea may be to make one feed a day the time

when you have the band off (I often do an hour before bed, so that

includes the bath and a last feed)- then you get your snuggle factor!

Hope it goes well

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Plagio, Cranio helmet, 4th July '04

--- In Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

I never had a problem with breastfeeding, but my son is a piggy and

nothing gets in between him and a boobie. The band does make it a

little harder to nurse in public because your shirt may not fit over

it, so you either have to wear looser clothes or take a drape with

you everywhere. Some people don't nurse in public, so this may not be

an issue for you. My son had to eat every 1/2 hour for a long time so

it was nurse him in public, or stay home all the time!

As for dressing him, none of his clothes fit over the band. I had to

take the band off, change his outfit, then put the band back on. It

only takes a second. It was a bit of a pain, I'll admit, and it is

really nice now that he has graduated to just pull his shirts off and

on without dealing with the band first. He still had some reflux when

he had the band and was also eating solids, plus he's active and

likes mud, so he sometimes had 3 or 4 different outfits a day. Band

off, shirt off, shirt on, band on...

Good luck! It will be fine. Hope you have fun decorating. I will add

a plug for my son's helmet: under in Our Plagio Kids.

, 22 mos, DOC Grad 9.7

--- In Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...>

wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

,

has been in her DOC Band for 2 weeks. The band hasn't

interfered with breasfeeding at all. She eats in a variety of

positions. The easiest is lying down like Hannah suggested.

However, I usually use a boppy just like I always have. The band

does press in my arm and leave a mark. However, it goes away

quickly. Most important, isn't bothered by it at all.

You may find it awkward at first, but after a few feedings you'll

both adjust.

I usually take the band off when I change her clothes, but then it

goes right back on. Also, like Hannah suggested I try to give her

her last feeding without the band. I 'll take it off for her bath,

leave it off and let her feed and slip it back on at the end before

she goes to sleep. Yes, it is possible to slip it back on the head

while they are latched on. You just have to prop them up to do it.

This way their head stays still and it's easier to put on.

still falls asleep while breastfeeding which is why I put it on when

I see her starting to drift off. It only takes a few seconds and

then she finishes eating and falls asleep.

Good Luck! If you find that you are having problems with

breastfeeding with the band on let me know.

Dianna

Mom to

DOC Band 9/13

plagio/brachy

Plagiocephaly , " anna_strow " <annastrow@y...> wrote:

> Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band next

> week. I was wondering if the band interferes with breastfeeding? I

> currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always gets

hot.

> Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

take

> the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

their

> heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I was

> curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi , As far as the casting, it will be just fine. I was so

nervous too. In the morning I had such a stomach ache from being so

nervous. I saw pictures of babies getting the casting, and it lookes

so bad! When it was over though I said, " wow all that anticipation

for nothing. " It took only about 11-12 minutes. cried only at

the end when they had him sitting up. I think because the mold was

heavy on his head. I timed his feeding to be right when they started

the mold. I don't know if you pump and give your son a bottle, but if

you do it is a great idea. It'll keep his mind off of what is going

on. Even if does cry it is just like when they get needles, it

is necessary to get, but they won't remember it 2 minutes later.

I know what you mean about being anxious to get started so 's

head can be corrected. The first weeks that we had the band

had red spots all over. We were back and forth about 5 times in the

first 2 weeks. (thank god we live only 20 minutes away from CT) I was

so upset that it was all wasted time since he couldn't wear it a lot

of that time. But now that it is on 23 hours a day I totally see a

change. It has been 3 weeks now. He is so used to it, and so are we.

It doesn't bother him at all. When we take it off the hour a day to

clean it we laugh because he looks so different with the band off!

Yes, we decorated the band. We made it look like a Dallas Cowboy

football helmet. It is really cute!

Marcy & (6 months)

DOC Band baby

Brachy/Plagio

> > > Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band

next

> > > week. I was wondering if the band interferes with

breastfeeding? I

> > > currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always

gets

> > hot.

> > > Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do you

> > take

> > > the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies over

> their

> > > heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but I

> was

> > > curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

Hi there, Just wanted to let you know that my son Nikolas was banded

9 weeks ago at 6m and we pretty much are exclusively nursing and it

has not stopped him one bit. I just put a blanket on my arm while he

nurses so the band does not hurt me. It did not slow him down at

all!! I don't take it off to nurse except right after bath time

while his head is still drying and the band is still drying. As for

dressing. Since it was summer I bought a bunch of outfits that

snapped at the top to make it easier but even now with the cooler

weather approaching (we are in NC) many of his tops will stretch to

go over the band. If not I just take it off. I also have to take it

off to do his stretches so I try to do it all at the same time.

HTH

Jen

Mommy to Nikolas (Tort/Pos Plagio) Banded now for 9w and hopefully

only a few more to go!!!

> > >

> > > > Hi, My 4 month old son is going to be fitted with a DOC band

> next

> > > > week. I was wondering if the band interferes with

> breastfeeding? I

> > > > currently feed him using a boppy pillow and his head always

> gets

> > > hot.

> > > > Do I take the band off for feedings or leave it on? Also do

you

> > > take

> > > > the band on and off for dressing? How do you get onesies

over

> > their

> > > > heads otherwise? I know these seem like silly questions but

I

> > was

> > > > curious what other people had experienced. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

We got our DOC band 8 days ago and yes, it has been an adjustment when

we breastfeed. It seems like it digs into her head or shifts to an

uncomfortable position (for both of us). It is somewhat getting

easier though. I don't know if we both need(ed) an adjustment period

or if she was responding some to the vibe I was sending off that I was

uncomfortable with nursing her in the helmet or if the helmet is just

in our way. Maybe a little of all three, but I'm not giving up.

One thing that I have done (maybe more for me than her, because I miss

the snuggle time) is that I try to nurse her at least once a day

without the helmet on. Not that you can neccessarily do this for

every feeding, but we were told that she only has to wear it 22 hours

a day, so I take advantage of some of her down time and nurse during a

break or two also. Hang in there, you're not alone!

Karie

>

> Does anyone breastfeed a baby that has to wear a DOC band ? Can you

> help me ? My son has just get banded (3 days now), he is strictly

> breastfed. And he does not nurse as effective as before, move and

> complain while nursing. The band keep on pressing on his ear and move

> a lots too. thanks !

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I had the same problem in the beginning - although I experienced most of the

pain

because I found that because his head was further away from my breast that he

sort of

pulled at my nipple more and it was painful. I am small breasted, so I think

this made it

hard. I really think that it was difficult in the beginning because we were used

to being

more skin to skin. I would recommend nursing him half of the time without the

band on -

and gently wean him off if you can. If you can't, I think nursing is important

too - for both

of you, I don't think it's the end of the world to take the band off for a

feeding - as long as

you are not in the habit of taking it off for other times as well. My son fed

very quickly.

Good luck,

>

> Does anyone breastfeed a baby that has to wear a DOC band ? Can you

> help me ? My son has just get banded (3 days now), he is strictly

> breastfed. And he does not nurse as effective as before, move and

> complain while nursing. The band keep on pressing on his ear and move

> a lots too. thanks !

>