Re: Long term impacts of banding -Cheryl

[Guest guest]

Cheryl,

I can certainly understand that your head must be spinning by now.

This is a very hard decision to make and it seems that there is not

enough information anywhere (except in the support groups). I'm sorry

you felt Cranial Tech saw you as an opportunity to make money - that

is really not the way they operate and many people here will agree

with me on that. I was once in your position and truly felt that with

my best efforts Aidan's head would round out. I repo'd him ALL the

time. His head actually got worse. At Paige's age, repo'ing will be

very difficult. I don't think they were being dishonest with you when

they said she could not be corrected without banding.

I made the mistake of waiting until Aidan was 9 months to band him,

and from there it took another 6 weeks so he wasn't in his doc band

until he was 10.5 months. Most people set a repo deadline by 6 months

of age. I've been in 2 plagio groups for almost 9 months, done as

much research as I can, and have come up with nothing to give me

worry that a band is going to cause any harm to Aidan in the long

term. There are many members here whose children have graduated their

bands for 2+ years (maybe more) and I don't think any of them regret

it or have seen any type of negative effects or delays that can be

attributed to banding.

Sorry to go on for so long! I just wanted to give you some

reassurance, something that truly helped me come to my decision (I

was once completely, 100%, anti band) - for the most part, there is

nothing to lose by banding. Most babies (mine included) adjust

effortlessly. There are no serious side effects. A little stinky

head, maybe some redness that can be taken care of with a quick

adjustment. I do not regret getting Aidan banded. I am currently in

the process of getting him into a 2nd band so we can finish what we

started. But I can tell you I would have regretted not doing it.

Good luck to you and your family in your decision.

& Aidan in CT

13 months, doc band 7/21

> > >

> > > We are considering getting a band or helmet for our 7 1/2 month

> old

> > > to correct plagio. However, before we get one, I have been

> trying

> > to

> > > investigate any research or studies done on the long-term

impacts

> > > (especially any complications) of using the helmet or band. So

> > far,

> > > no luck in finding anything about long-term impacts (other than

> > that

> > > the changes coming from banding seem to " stick " over time)!

I've

> > > been told by some professionals that it can cause issues with

her

> > > neurologic system and immune system. However, the orthotists

> (from

> > 2

> > > different places) assure me that this isn't the case. Who do I

> > > believe? I know that the orthotists have something to gain by

> our

> > > baby buying a helmet or band (the revenues for this industry

are

> > > staggering). They say that they don't know of any studies

about

> > long-

> > > term impacts. But I won't consider the helmet/banding option

> > without

> > > checking into any long-term ramifications. Has anyone else

> checked

> > > into it? Where can I turn for more information? I'm not just

> > > looking for a quick fix for now. I want to be certain that

this

> > > won't create issues years from now for our baby. Thanks for

> > helping

> > > us!