DS is getting a doc band....sigh.

bnljane1988 · June 2009

DS developed a flat spot on the right side of the back of his head because it' the only side he would sleep on from birth....we kept trying to reposition him, but he always turned back to it.

So, per pedi's recommendation/referral - we had the consultation today with Cranial Tech. https://www.cranialtech.com/ After gathering all of the information, we've decided to get the doc band. (Hopefully our ins. will cover most of it ....$3600 - when all is said and done). 8-10 weeks, 23 hours a day, in one of those dumb "helmets". I just don't think they are cute. I'm not vain when it comes to my own appearance (I barely wear makeup because I'm lazy), but i'm super overly protective and sensitive when it comes to DS.....(not that he'll notice the stares)......isn't this ironic, he'll be stared at for something that is medically good for him, but also cosmetically to keep him from being teased etc. later in life.

Sigh.

Ludenbelle · June 2009

Awe....well in the grand scheme of things, 8-10 weeks is relatively a short amount of time.

amanda7207 · June 2009

Awww...sorry to hear that. ((hugs)) Sounds like you caught it pretty early since he only has to wear it for a short period of time though. I think you should have it painted so that it's really cool looking.

gigimarie · June 2009

My DD had to wear a helmet for 12 weeks and really it flies by. We decorated with fun stickers and it got to the point where I did not even notice it that much. I hate to break it to you but very few insurance companies cover, we have UHC and they see the helmet as cosmetic. We are still going through the appeal process so we had to fork the money over upfront.

You will get some funny looks but more people than not know what the helmet is for and constantly commented on how cute DD was. Your DS is a cutie and I bet people with gush over him the same!

bnljane1988 · June 2009

gigimarie:

My DD had to wear a helmet for 12 weeks and really it flies by. We decorated with fun stickers and it got to the point where I did not even notice it that much. I hate to break it to you but very few insurance companies cover, we have UHC and they see the helmet as cosmetic. We are still going through the appeal process so we had to fork the money over upfront.

You will get some funny looks but more people than not know what the helmet is for and constantly commented on how cute DD was. Your DS is a cutie and I bet people with gush over him the same!

Thanks for the kind words. They told me that they (cranial tech) have a "contract" or something with BCBS (which is our ins. company) and pedi said he has a "standard" letter he sends to the insurance companies to get it covered......"crossing my fingers"

Jessibell · June 2009

I have never heard anyone say that they regretted it! They are so common that I bet hardly anyone thinks anything of it. Your DS will be just as cute with the helmet

baylorflamingo · June 2009

OOH! Us too! DS had is consultation on Monday! He's also going to a physical theripist for treatment of torticollis. Does your LO have that, too?

bnljane1988 · June 2009

baylorflamingo:
OOH! Us too! DS had is consultation on Monday! He's also going to a physical theripist for treatment of torticollis. Does your LO have that, too?

I don't know what that is, so ...no. LOL. Although, they did have a PT come in and show us some stretches for DS's neck that we need to start doing because one side is much tighter than the other (causing him to sleep on the right side.)

Right now I'm looking into places that decorate the DOC band......might as well make it an art-piece since it's going to stand out anyway......LOL

mlhowe07 · June 2009

I don't have anything new to add except that I hope your insurance co will cover it & the 10 weeks will fly by!! I agree with pp you should paint it so it looks cool!!

Kim&Jim · June 2009

It's honestly not that bad! We are in Brady's 2nd band. He had the first one for about 12 weeks and will have this one for 10 to 14 weeks. It's been great since he isn't quit 100% stable and bumps his head! Built in safety device. The bands become "normal" so that now he looks so strange without it on. I haven't really notices too many stares....of course, I have twins so I get stared at regardless. Most comments have been from other moms that had kids with bands.

I hope your insurance covers it. I also have UHC and they haven't paid for either one. Sad

If your son has tightening in his neck, he may have torticollis. That's what Brady has and what we think caused his flat spot as he would only lay in one position as well. We have a therapist that comes to the house every Friday to work with him. She's AWESOME!!! She helps with so many things and is so knowledgeable. You may ask your ped about the torticollis. It can cause so many other issues that you may not be aware of...I wasn't. If your son has it, it can cause one side of his body to be weaker than the other side, including the tongue, which may cause feeding issues. It sounds scary, but the therapy is helping a great deal and Brady is pretty much on target developmentally now.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at kvandergeek @ yahoo.com .

Good luck!!

sethsgal · June 2009

Aiden was in a band and I am so glad that we did it. The other girls are right, after awhile you won't even notice it. Aiden was in it for exactly 6 weeks! Get the 90% rubbing alcohol and make sure to clean it out every night and before you know it he will be out of it! Plus think of his cute round head when it is all over with! We went with Crainal Tech and loved them! Our insurance covered 100% of it.
Here are some of my blog posts about his helmet experience:

Initial pictures

Rock star pics

Graduation pics!

bnljane1988 · June 2009

Kim&Jim:

It's honestly not that bad! We are in Brady's 2nd band. He had the first one for about 12 weeks and will have this one for 10 to 14 weeks. It's been great since he isn't quit 100% stable and bumps his head! Built in safety device. The bands become "normal" so that now he looks so strange without it on. I haven't really notices too many stares....of course, I have twins so I get stared at regardless. Most comments have been from other moms that had kids with bands.

I hope your insurance covers it. I also have UHC and they haven't paid for either one.

If your son has tightening in his neck, he may have torticollis. That's what Brady has and what we think caused his flat spot as he would only lay in one position as well. We have a therapist that comes to the house every Friday to work with him. She's AWESOME!!! She helps with so many things and is so knowledgeable. You may ask your ped about the torticollis. It can cause so many other issues that you may not be aware of...I wasn't. If your son has it, it can cause one side of his body to be weaker than the other side, including the tongue, which may cause feeding issues. It sounds scary, but the therapy is helping a great deal and Brady is pretty much on target developmentally now.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at kvandergeek @ yahoo.com .

Good luck!!

I'll definitely be calling my pedi to ask about this. Thank you, for the info!!

lizzyjames · June 2009

Awww. I think the babies look cute in their little helmets. Good luck!

bieanca · June 2009

I think once you get the doc band and he gets use to it everything will be fine. Just think it is for the better. He will probably not even notice it.

Samantha&Rich · June 2009

They told us 8-10 weeks for Camden as well, but he ended up only wearing it for 5 weeks. I felt the same as you, everyone is going to stare. But honestly, I don't remember anyone staring... and the people who wanted to know, asked about it.

We were lucky, our insurance (UHC) covered Camden's band. No idea why because everyone told us they probably wouldn't. I know we had the highest plan (cost us the most each month) so maybe that's why? I hope your insurance pays for yours!

bnljane1988 · June 2009

Samantha&Rich:

They told us 8-10 weeks for Camden as well, but he ended up only wearing it for 5 weeks. I felt the same as you, everyone is going to stare. But honestly, I don't remember anyone staring... and the people who wanted to know, asked about it.

We were lucky, our insurance (UHC) covered Camden's band. No idea why because everyone told us they probably wouldn't. I know we had the highest plan (cost us the most each month) so maybe that's why? I hope your insurance pays for yours!

just waiting on a call from CT to see what, if anything, our ins. will cover.

PS

DS's name is Kamden

mustangsallie · June 2009

Poor Mr. Peepers! And poor mom!

It will be a rough adjustment but you will make it through. Why did you take K out of your sig? He is such a cutie.

Want a personalized experience?

DS is getting a doc band....sigh.

Re: DS is getting a doc band....sigh.

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