Anyone have any experience with a child having to wear a DOC band?

[catbert]

My daughter is going to have to wear a DOC band, and I was wondering if in the off chance, one of you have had a child who has worn one.

This is a foam helmet made for the child that rounds out their head. I think we will have to go every week or so for adjustments. My daughter was premature, and has a flat spot on the right side of her head, which pushes her ear forward about an inch further than the left ear, which is the big problem. We noticed in ultrasound pictures that she kept her right hand against her head all the time (it was there everytime I had an ultrasound). The pediatrician waited six months to see if it would straighten itself out, but it hasn't, so off we go.

Anyone with any experience on this would be greatly appreciated. I am so nervous for her.

[Sage]

Cat...
What does DOC stand for?

[catbert]

Originally posted by Sage
Cat...
What does DOC stand for?

Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty I think. You can see what the band looks like at cranialtech.com .

[havasu]

Poor little girl! Hope the DOC works out okay. will be thinking of both of you. Let us know how it goes.

[shepilot]

Catbert, I'm sorry to hear about your daughter. I hadn't heard of this until I read your post. I went to look at the DOC site. It looks like they get very good results. I know you're nervous for your sweet baby girl, as any loving parent would be. I hope it goes well and I'm sending lots of warm wishes to you and your family. Is your daughter 6-7 months old? That is such a fun age. Babies are sweeter than sweet and surprising you everyday around that age.

[pre-sage pilot]

Catbert,
I have heard of this before as it was one of our concerns when
my daughter was born, she was in the breech position and big
9lbs 3 oz.(full term) so my wife had a c-section. It turned out that her
head was Ok but her legs had been bent up and the ball & socket had formed but her joint kept popping out,she had to wear a brace for 3 months to keep her legs in certain positions. we were quite upset (my wife much more than I )at the time,
although it really was a small thing in light of everything.
And the most important thing is that her legs are as strong as could be,she's 3 1/2 and you would never have any idea that
anything had ever been wrong which I am quite sure will be the
same for you and your daughter, a couple years from now you'll have just about forgotten all about it.
In the meantime you'll be in our thoughts and prayers!

[ontheverge]

her legs had been bent up and the ball & socket had formed but her joint kept popping out,she had to wear a brace for 3 months to keep her legs in certain positions.

My two year old had hip dysplasia also. Had the brace on for 5 months. She also has strabismus, a condition in which the muscles in her eyes required surgery. She's had two surgeries already and another one scheduled at the end of the month. She wears glasses, and had to wear an eye patch for awhile. Although none of this is what you describe, catbert, in all of these situations, the calmer we stayed, the calmer she stayed. If you are very matter-of-fact with her about wearing the DOC with as little discussion about it as possible, you'll be surprised at how well she'll deal. Say things like, "I know, but it has to stay on. Would you rather watch Barney or Sesame Street?" Good luck.

[kompers]

Sorry to hear about that, Cat. Our prayers are with you and your little one!!

[pre-sage pilot]

Originally posted by ontheverge

My two year old had hip dysplasia also. Had the brace on for 5 months. She also has strabismus, a condition in which the muscles in her eyes required surgery. She's had two surgeries already and another one scheduled at the end of the month. She wears glasses, and had to wear an eye patch for awhile.

"Hip Dysplasia", those were the words I was trying to remember- I guess it is good that I could no longer remember that which I had to describe over and over when my daughter was going thru it. Sorry to heart about your Daughter's problems ontheverge, hang in there. Staying calm is a big key, of course I only wish I could get my wife to remember that!

[ontheverge]

Thanks, pre-sage. My wife and I have both worked with many special-needs kids, so we have a good understanding that things could be a lot worse. This seems to help. If we are confident (or at least act like it) and make it seem like just part of the routine, it leaves no question as to whether it's a choice, and it allows our daughter to remain confident too. It's all about modeling.

[Sage]

Originally posted by ontheverge
Thanks, pre-sage. My wife and I have both worked with many special-needs kids, so we have a good understanding that things could be a lot worse. This seems to help. If we are confident (or at least act like it) and make it seem like just part of the routine, it leaves no question as to whether it's a choice, and it allows our daughter to remain confident too. It's all about modeling.

You are SO right on here and in your previous post!! Wish more people would come to this realization with their kids. Problems or no problems. Thank you for what you do & how you do it.

[catbert]

Thanks to all of you for your posts. My little girl is practically 7 months old. Hopefully she will only have to wear this thing for a few months. And you're right - you'll never know she had a problem in time - and she's so young, she'll never even remember this. And it could have been much more severe than it is. I am thankful for that.

I will try my best to stick by your words of wisdom and stay calm!

Thanks again!