DOC Band and a Older Child

My son who is 4 now wore one when he was 3mo to 7 mo old. It was worth it! I did not feel that his head looked that bad but with his dad already going bald and not knowing how his growth would be affected we decided to go for it. He never noticed it. Yes people did talk but for the most part it is simple curiosity. Once I explained what it was for a lot of people said they wished they were around when their husband, brother sister, cousin, etc.. was young!! Occasionally you would get rude comments but let's be realistic. If someone is going to make comments about this they will find something to say about anything they perceive as different. You can't stop them but you can control how you react. Just decorate the helmet with something he loves. The way I looked at it it was a double benefit. His head would reshape and it was a crash helmet for him as he crawled and tried to walk. If he would fall and hit his head he had extra protection!! Good Luck and just remember to love him no matter what.

Hi Mary!

I know how you feel, but just let me assure you that it WILL be okay. My son had to get one at about 13 mos., and we didn't have any problems. No one stared, and no one made fun of him. If anything it was just the opposite ... everyone loved it! They always commented on how nicely it was painted (I painted it with bright colors, and had a whole Winnie The Pooh thing going on), and how cute he looked in it. Then once it came off, his head had evened out, and he was just as cute as ever (although through it all he looked just fine to us). So you and that little angel hang in there. It will take a little getting used to, but it will be okay. And if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. ____@____.com

Take Care!
Lynn

what is the purpose of this DOC band? I never heard of it!

I do feel your sadness that you have something unusual with your child that may make some people look at you two more. My daughter had hip dysplasia and had to be in a full body harness for over four months. I had a lot of people notice and a few people comment.

However, she's now happy and healthy and when I look back the time she was in the harness, it just flew by. It feels like it was a few days, not a few months.

Keep proudly taking your son everywhere and let people look at the two of you. What they'll see when they look past the band, is a M. who dearly loves her son and is having so much fun with him. And that's a great thing.

This too shall pass. This too shall pass. Good luck.

I wish our pediatrician had recommended the band (or helmet, or whatever was trendy then) to us when our son was young enough to benefit from it. He's beautiful, but I hope for his sake he doesn't go bald prematurely.

Also, not necessarily cosmetic only - we've been told our son's skull-shape issues may cause him to need expensive orthodonture later. Consider yourselves very lucky, and I hope it works for your son.

My son is 10 months old and is graduating from his DOC band in 2 weeks. I wasn't sure we should do it either, but my husband was all for it. I'm glad we did! He seriously never knew he had it on and never fought me. He slept through the entire first night without waking up. He too comes everywhere with me and he wore it through the summer. I didn't want him to pick up any feelings from me that he was different with his helmet on. The first week was hard and I forced myself to keep up with our usual busy schedule. People stare, just normal curiousity, I just smile back. People ask questions too and I just explain we are reshaping his head. Check out cafeexpress.com They make custom t shirts and have a plagio section. My son wore one that said "Cranial Bands Rock!".

I do miss his little head and my favorite time of day is bath time when he has it off. I rub the back of his head so he feels some sensation while it is off. Email me if you need some support ____@____.com

Hi Mary,
I am sorry you are feeling badly. I understand how you feel. I have not had the need to use a doc band for my child, but I have a nephew who had a head that was in need of one. His mother opted against it and now he is 5 years old and his head is deformed. Nothing serious, just lopsided. There is no fixing it now. You are correct, this is purly cosmetic and take a moment to be grateful for that. I do not think people will make fun of him. I think people may ask about it. Since the whole "back to back" sleeping position for babies came about, the head has taken a hit. They can become deformed. Most of them work themselves out, others do not. Trust your instincts. If you do not think it is a problem, then pass on the band. If you think there may be an issue, then put the band on and wear it proudly. I know if it were my baby, I would wear the band. Especially after seeing my nephew. He is the most handsome kid, his head is just a bit askew. Otherwise, he is PERFECT and healthy. Good luck and congrats on your perfect and healthy baby.