Guest guest Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Hi, My 9 mo old daughter has a helmet. She's been wearint it since 5 mo. She's essentially done, but since it still fits we're seeing if we cant get a little more improvement. Also it helps protect her from bumps and bruises since she's crawling and learning to walk. If you're not happy with his head shape I would band. Otherwise you'll always worry if you should have done it. Our band was covered 100%, but that varies widely depending on which insurance (both the company and the plan your employer selected). Babies adjust very easily. I've only heard one mom every say the baby's personality seemed to change - and maybe that wasn't the band. our daughter is extreamly happy and smiley and always has been. Of the 3 helmets you've mentioned I've only heard of Hanger. It is very similar to the Starband that we have (made by orthomerica) and I think it generally works very well. You do want to make sure the orthodist you are working with has a lot of experience with banding children since this is important to get the right fit. The other popular band is the DOCband by Cranial Techologies (www.cranialtech.com). They have the best reputation, but only a few locations across the country. You can also post photos of your baby to the photo section to get opions if others here (with lots of experience) this he should be banded. a top view is a good way to see. Also his face - does he have any asymmetry? good luck with your decision. -christine mom to sydney / 9 mo/ starband 5-31-06 > > Hi, I am new to this group and have tons of questions! > When my son was around 4 mths old, I noticed that his head was > slightly flat on one side. I asked my pediatrician about it and he > said to leave it alone. At 6 mths, I decided to take my son to a > neurologist. He said it was mild and said to wait 2 months and see > what happens. We went back to him at 8.5 mths and he said I needed > to get an xray done. I decided to go to a neurosurgeon. He told me > that an xray does not need to be taken, that there was no > craniosynostosis. He told me that on a scale of 1-5 the severity of > the flatness was a 2 and he was not sure if my son should get or > really needs a helmet. He gave me the prescription and said that it > is up to me. > I'm feeling really sick about this. No one in my family thinks he > needs it including my husband. But I see the deformity in his head > and it makes me feel soo bad. > My son is going to be 9 mths next week so if i want to act I have to > do so now. > so here are my questions, if someone could help me please! > -Would you put a helmet on a 9 month old? > -For those of you who have experience with it, is my son going be > very uncomfortable..i don't want his demeanor to change because of > this. > -Did insurance cover the helmet? > -did you hear of kidi-splint, hanger, or arimed? > Thanks so much in advance for any info, advice, opinions anyone can > give me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Hi, Yes, I put a band on my 8 month old, and would have done so had she been 9 months too. There was a 16 month old at the Hanger O & P location we go to getting fitted in his new band. I don't think my daughter notices her band much. It does not seem to bother her. She sleeps 12 hours a night in it too. It actually has been quite nice as she has learned to crawl and pull up on stuff. Her twin brother is always crying because he hits his head. Not the case with her!!! All kidding aside, if your son's head shape bothers you, it would be worth it to look into a band/helmet. Our insurance company did pay for it. We have a great plan through my husband's employer. I know not every plan covers it though, so worth looking into seeing who's in network, etc. I would have paid for it out of pocket though had it not been covered. Good luck! Tricia Reimer Mom to Anwen and 12/22/05 > > Hi, I am new to this group and have tons of questions! > When my son was around 4 mths old, I noticed that his head was > slightly flat on one side. I asked my pediatrician about it and he > said to leave it alone. At 6 mths, I decided to take my son to a > neurologist. He said it was mild and said to wait 2 months and see > what happens. We went back to him at 8.5 mths and he said I needed > to get an xray done. I decided to go to a neurosurgeon. He told me > that an xray does not need to be taken, that there was no > craniosynostosis. He told me that on a scale of 1-5 the severity of > the flatness was a 2 and he was not sure if my son should get or > really needs a helmet. He gave me the prescription and said that it > is up to me. > I'm feeling really sick about this. No one in my family thinks he > needs it including my husband. But I see the deformity in his head > and it makes me feel soo bad. > My son is going to be 9 mths next week so if i want to act I have to > do so now. > so here are my questions, if someone could help me please! > -Would you put a helmet on a 9 month old? > -For those of you who have experience with it, is my son going be > very uncomfortable..i don't want his demeanor to change because of > this. > -Did insurance cover the helmet? > -did you hear of kidi-splint, hanger, or arimed? > Thanks so much in advance for any info, advice, opinions anyone can > give me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2006 Report Share Posted October 6, 2006 I had the same questions you did just a little while ago. My ds's ped wrote a prescription for the helmet but said it was up to me. Everyone (family, friends, etc.) said that he did NOT need a helmet, but we're getting him on anyways. He just turned 8 months and we're getting it this wednesday. His ears are off and his back right side is flat and though no one but me seems to care, I want to go through with this. I feel that it will be worth it in the end, and I wouldnt want to look back and regret NOT getting it. I was told that my insurance would cover $2000 after the pre-determination said they wouldnt cover any of it, so i am still not 100% sure whether theyre covering it or not. we paid $2700 up front for it and I know its a good investment. And a 9 month old can get GREAT correction, as many moms in here attest. Good luck! , mom to Tyson CHicago,IL > > Hi, I am new to this group and have tons of questions! > When my son was around 4 mths old, I noticed that his head was > slightly flat on one side. I asked my pediatrician about it and he > said to leave it alone. At 6 mths, I decided to take my son to a > neurologist. He said it was mild and said to wait 2 months and see > what happens. We went back to him at 8.5 mths and he said I needed > to get an xray done. I decided to go to a neurosurgeon. He told me > that an xray does not need to be taken, that there was no > craniosynostosis. He told me that on a scale of 1-5 the severity of > the flatness was a 2 and he was not sure if my son should get or > really needs a helmet. He gave me the prescription and said that it > is up to me. > I'm feeling really sick about this. No one in my family thinks he > needs it including my husband. But I see the deformity in his head > and it makes me feel soo bad. > My son is going to be 9 mths next week so if i want to act I have to > do so now. > so here are my questions, if someone could help me please! > -Would you put a helmet on a 9 month old? > -For those of you who have experience with it, is my son going be > very uncomfortable..i don't want his demeanor to change because of > this. > -Did insurance cover the helmet? > -did you hear of kidi-splint, hanger, or arimed? > Thanks so much in advance for any info, advice, opinions anyone can > give me. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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