Just got my DD a DOC band helmet (banded today)....

Ugh, this DOC band is really hard for her to get used to. She has been crying for the past 4 hours non-stop for me to take it off! And she threw up her last feeding from crying so hard. I don't know what to do! The clinician told me that the babies with "wider heads" like Leah's have the hardest time adjusting since there is a lot of pressure on the sides of the head. They told me they can "shave the band down" to reduce the pressure if she is having a hard time, and I think we'll have to do that. I felt the side and it is REALLY pushing into her head. I wouldn't be surprised if she has a headache from that! I feel like I am torturing her! I have to wait until Monday to do it...Grr. I want her to get used to it, but I want to take it off at the same time! The clinicians told me to bear through it and they promised me she'd get used to it and that they ALL do. But I feel so bad!!

Anyone else go through this with a helmet or DOC band?

Edit: Well, I took the Doc band off for the night. I don't know what to do. I paid $3,000 out of pocket for this thing and she REALLY needs it. Her case is pretty severe and it won't correct itself; she is too old and her skull is hardening already. I am planning on sneaking it on her while she is asleep...I don't know. She cried for almost 5 hours straight, I mean that blood curdling kind of cry that makes shivers go down your spine. She was so exhausted from crying that literally a half second after I took it off, she fell into a deep sleep and has been asleep since.

I will keep trying and trying...But I will call the office on Monday to see what they suggest...

 

Oh wow, I'm sorry it's not going well. :love0028: I will say this is the first time I have read such a bad experience with a new helmet in this forum, so maybe there is something that they need to do to make it more comfortable for her. :love0028:

 

Oh, what an ordeal! Nerve-wracking for both of you... I hope things get sorted out soon. :hug99:

 

Oh my gosh I am so sorry!!! The EI therapist we met with yesterday mentioned something about our boys' heads (they're very narrow) and the thought of having to give them helmets makes me so afraid. I question whether or not I would be able to do it even if I had doctor's orders. You did a great thing by providing those for your baby. I'm sure she will adjust and thank you for the rest of her life when she has a perfectly round head. Hang in there and don't feel bad for giving her a "break"...poor baby.

 

One of my twins is in a helmet, too. They had her start by wearing the band for 1 hour on, one hour off. Then 2 hours on 2 hours off. Etc. until we worked up to 23 hours per day. It was an easy transition...hardly any tears involved.

Ashlyn's helmet started out larger than her head and she has slowly grown into it. It could need adjusting if your daughter is upset about it. HTH.

 

Poor baby! My ds got used to his in about 2 days. Of course you got yours on a Friday and they are closed for the weekend, I hate when that happens. I hope things get better!

 

I just feel so sorry for you and your baby!! I don't have experience with helmets, but I just feel so bad for you, I wanted to express my sympathy. Please keep us updated. Good luck!!

:hug99:

 

Well, I tried to "sneak" it on while she was sleeping last night, and it stayed on for a whole whopping hour before she woke up screaming bloody murder again. (She NEVER wakes up at night!) So, I took it off again after an hour of crying...This morning, I am trying again. So far, so good...It seems she can only last about an hour before she wants it off. She is playing in the excersaucer now...I am PRAYING she "doesn't notice it"...lol...Thanks for all the posts/comments! I too have never seen a negative experience on this board with the helmet...I really think they made it too tight on the sides for her. The clinician even commented on it that it seemed tighter than usual. I am going to call Monday to see if they can make it looser if she is still uncomfortable, even if it means she will need therapy longer, it's okay...I just hate to see her so upset!

 

Going on 4 hours so far....No tears....Let's hope this is going to be alright after all...

 

QUOTE(two.heartbeats @ Feb 16 2008, 01:45 PM) [snapback]624813[/snapback]
Going on 4 hours so far....No tears....Let's hope this is going to be alright after all...

That's great!!! :hug99: