Experience with Helmets

My son wore a Doc Band helmet for a few months and it did wonders, I would do it again in a heartbeat. He was flat in the back on one side and his forehead slightly protruded in the front. He has a nice bowling ball shaped head now!! If you are going to do it, do it NOW-the older the child is the less results you will see. Let me know if you have any questions.

We LOVED our STARband. I cried the night before our son had it put on because I was so worried about what people would say. He ended up having to wear 2 of them since he outgrew the 1st one (he had a painfully slow growing head and it took 10 months, not the original 4 forecasted). I would do it again in a heartbeat and wouldn't think twice about others' opinions. Your son could really benefit from it.

It wasn't just the flat spots, but some facial asymmetry as well (eyes and ears slightly misaligned, etc). He has some eye issues now that we believe may be a direct result of the facial asymmetry from when he was an infant, so I would ask about that too. It's usually more than just the flatness of the head, but that the most noticeable to the naked eye.

You can do so many cool things with stickers - I think that's why we know so many people in Jewel, CVS, etc since I always had his name on the front. You actually will see quite a few kids wearing them. Since Chase's helmet, I've talked 3 other moms thru this process and they, too, have been glad they did it.

Finally, the STARbands are terrific. He was in it for the full 23 hours within about 3 days. He slept with it and never really tried to take it off until he was older (about 17 months or so). Insurance covered both of them completely.

Good luck! It's a tough decision, but one I know we're glad we made!

B.,
Our son had a minor/moderate flat spot on the rear left side of his head that we first noticed around 4 months. Initially, everyone also told me "it'll straighten out eventually - don't worry about it." My motherly instinct told me to have it checked out. We first consulted with our pediatrician and then with a plastic surgeon (craniofacial), as they specialize in this type of thing. Even though my son's case was only moderate we collectively decided to use a helmet (Starband). While it was difficult to see him in it 23 hours a day for 5-6 months, it was absolutely worth it. His head is nearly perfect now. As far as concern over how your son will adapt to the helmet...95% of kids who wear one are not bothered by it at all - they adjust very quickly! Keep in mind, this is not just a matter of your son's current appearance. If left untreated, this can eventually have an effect on how his facial features develop, ears, etc. I believe it is in your son's best interests to correct the flat spot. Good luck with your decision.

I have not read your other responses, but your relatives are wrong, he will not grow out of this. This is a decision you have to make, you have a limited time to make the decision as the head grows and the skull fuses more together. My son had a doc band for three months. I had confusing feelings about it, but I am sooo glad we did it. It is not something he will have to wear for long, and it will impact not only the shape of his head but from what I understand help with balance as well. Please make your own informed decision about this, and do not let your relatives push you into a decision that they may not have the facts about. This is deemed 'medically necessary', and at least our insurance paid for it. We went to Cranial Technologies and they were the nicest people ever. Send me a personal e-mail if I can help you further...

B.,
Do it!! The older the child gets the longer it takes to correct. I'm not sure about the star band, i'm familiar with the Doc Band - Cranial Technologies in Oak Brook Terrace. My son is currently in his 2nd helmet. His head had quite a few problems, flat in the back and side and narrow forehead and his ears were not even when looking down at the top of his head. Because of insurance we couldn't start until he was 4 months of age. He was in the 1st helmet for 10 weeks and it made huge changes. It was our decision if we wanted to go into a 2nd, insurance covered part, so we decided to continue and try and improve his head more. It is more of an issue for the parents than the child. It has never bothered my son to wear it, they have to wear it 23 hours a day, the hour that its off you have to wash their head and clean the helmet which gets old, but when you look at the big picture it is such a short amount of time out of their lives to make their head look normal. Depending on how severe your sons head is, if you don't treat it he could have problems down the line. I would totally recommend it!! Check with your insurance co, it is pretty expensive, $3,600 if its not covered, but that includes everything...the helmet and all of the office visits. Good luck....i was in denial first but i am so glad we decided to go forward with it!!

if dr and therapist suggest it and it is covered ny insurance go for the helmit! it does and will help and their bones are cartilidge and you can fix it now rather than later. good luck, all the kids are wearing them if you look now I bet you will notice so much more!

The reason that noone did this when they were little is that there weren't flat heads because babies were put to sleep on their belly for fear of them choking on spit up and dying. Now we follow putting babies to bead on their backs to prevent SIDS. However, they are then put on their backs in car carriers, bouncy seats and swings. Too much back time, not enough tummy time. That's why it happens so much now. If the health care professionals were recommending treatment for your kid with a disease, would you question it this much?

Don't listen to your relatives! My 9yo son's facial features are a little "off" due to his flat head, so it's not just that he can't shave his hair - in his case, his entire head was affected. (he looks fine now if you don't know what to look for - but may need orthodonture to correct related jaw issues.)

I've heard that others have had good luck with the helmets, but you do have to start as early as possible. Based on our experience, I would always press for treatment and start early, because there's no way to turn back time later.

I would respond to the older relateives with "no one had car seats when we were kids, either. Should I just lay him down in the backseat when I drive?"

There is nothing wrong with using the helmet to correct this problem. Believe me, you'll be glad you did! Just ignore the naysayers and do what you know is best for your child. Best wishes!

Do it right away. Our son is on his 2nd DOC band with Cranial Technologies. http://www.cranialtech.com/ They'll do a free eval for you too. Each band only lasts about 4 months, which is NOTHING in comparison to a lifetime of a flat head. Do it now, the bones are fused at or around 18 months, so you have to do it now. Our son never minded one bit.

My son wore the Doc Band for 4 months. Insurance covered it. I would ABSOLUTELY do it again if necessary. I started around 7 months old and wish I had started earlier. His head is better, but not perfect.
I do not believe my son's head would have improved on its own to the degree the helmet helped.
My son didn't care about it at all. Slept fine with it.

It is very worth it. I still remember what a mom told me when I was in your position. If my daughter pulls a Britney Spears and shaves her head some day, I know her head will look good :-). That made me really think, it is not just about right now, what about when they get older. My husband had this when he was a baby, but of course they did not do these treatments then and his hats don't fit right because of the shape of his head.

The hardest and most important thing is to put your feelings aside and the "what other people think" and do the best thing for your child. WHAT IF, it doesn't resolve itself? It is true, it is hardest on the parents to see you baby with a helmet on there head but you can decorate it with fun stickers and make it fun. My son did not even know it was on his head.

Good luck, listen to your gut...not your head :-)

I don't know about the treatment or brands just was surprised to see 2 different babies out and about this week with helmets on. I loved that the moms took time to paint them & add pretty stickers so they look nicer. Just keep that in mind if you get one and hate how it looks, you can gussy them up and make them nice. Didn't take away from how cute those two are. I loved that the moms cared enough.

Good luck!
D.

I'm hoping that you continue to see improvements by now.

What your older relatives probably don't understand is that back in their day babies weren't spending so much time on their backs, which is why this head shape was less common back then.

Here's some sources that I hope might be helpful for you--and maybe for them too...

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/t086300.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/ci42.asp

Best wishes,
J.