Tips For Decorating Helmet? Options

[cheriesrealm]

Hi! I'm new here. My name is Cherie and my son, Xander, is 11 months old and just got a cranial molding band. He has positional plagiocephaly (actually, brachycephaly). I first started noticing it when he was around 4-5 months old, but his pediatrician just told us to do lots of tummy time, which we had been doing. At his 6 month appointment, his pediatrician was keeping an eye on his flatness, but just told us to try to get him to sleep on his side or tummy. Finally, at his 9 month appointment, since it was not where she wanted it to be, she referred us to a pediatric neurosurgeon. He had to be casted twice since the first cast broke during shipment (he hated both times) and finally got his helmet last Tuesday. He has been adjusting very well to it (although he is still sweating a lot and the sweat is causing skin irritations on his scalp, neck and ears). We would have liked a pre-decorated helmet, but the orthotist did not offer that to us, so he has a plain white one. I have heard that we can decorate using stickers and acrylic paints. Does anyone know of any websites that give decorating tips or have any decorating tips for us? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[jennasmom]

Hi Cherie and welcome to the group. How is Xander doing in his band? I never decorated jenna's band. I am not very creative. Many people paint the bands and use a sealer on it like modge podge. Others use stickers and seal it with the modge podge. I have heard the clear backed stickers are better to use. Then when you are ready for a change it should peel off with the modge podge. I hope this helps some.

[cheriesrealm]

Hi Angie,

Thanks for the response! We're not very creative either. If I had the time and money (and if these paints could be used on the helmet), I would get it airbrushed by an artist. LOL! I have a friend who's son also had the band and they were able to choose a design on their helmet.

I notice in your siggy that your daughter also wore the STARband... that's what Xander is wearing. He is adjusting well to it and it doesn't seem to bother him most of the time. However, he is still sweating a lot and it is causing his skin to get irritated, so he seems to be very itchy around his forehead, ears, and neck. I can't even imagine how frustrating it would be to be itchy on my head and not be able to scratch it because of the helmet. I feel bad for him.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[jennasmom]

Cherie,

What helped Jenna is for me to gently rub her head with a towel when i took her band off. Otherwise she would try to rub her head on anything to get rid of the itching. She gave her forehead carpet burn this way. I forgot to rub her head so she started rubbing it fast on the carpet. It sounds like zander has adjusted great to his band.

Also Aveeno shampoo is great for sensitive skin. When you bathe him lather up the shampoo on his head. Then give him the rest of his bath. Then at the end rinse the shampoo.

I felt bad for Jenna but she didn't mind it at all. then when the correction started occurring we were so thrilled. I created a smile journal. I want to find a better band picture to put in. Hopefully i will get that done in the next few days. Please keep us posted on Xander.

[cheriesrealm]

Thanks Angie! It's so nice to be able to find other Moms that can relate. I don't know anyone with the same problem and I don't have a lot of friends that have babies Xander's age. Plus, all my family live across the country from us and we've been away from home for a few years while my husband completes his residency training.

When I take Xander's helmet off, I usually rub it down/dry it off with a cloth diaper. It doesn't help that he gets eczema, so I think he's already predisposed to getting skin irritations. I will look into the Aveeno shampoo. Thanks for the suggestion! Did you clean Jenna's helmet with alcohol or something else? I have been rubbing it down with rubbing alcohol every night because that's what the directions said to do.

How long did Jenna have to wear the helmet for? Thanks again for all the advice!

[jennasmom]

We used rubbing alcohol. That is what our directions said too. Jenna was banded during the winter so she didn't sweat real real bad. I think you can get a stonger strength os alcohol from a pharmacy. This helps if the band starts smelling. Jenna wore her band from age 9 to 12 months. 12 weeks exactly. She received approximately 80% correction. We are happy with the results.

I didn't know anyone with plagio babies either. I have now met 3 other families in my area. It is very helpful to talk to others going through similar experiences.

I would definitely try the aveeno shampoo. It is great for sensitive skin.

[xtinaherp]

Hi Cherie-

I see that Angie has given you some great tips so far. As far as decorating, http://www.plagiocephaly.org has a good decorating section in the parents area. We used clear backed stickers - they seem to work much better than paper backed stickers. Stickopotamus was my favorite brand - they have great designs.

We'd use their brush script letter and do Vivian's name in front, and then have like a theme for that month like butterflies or something. We changed it up every few weeks - they peel right off. You can use water based varnish, mod podge, or clear nail polish to seal the stickers and or coat the band and it comes off really easily. If you do want to paint, you can use any acrylic craft paint that's non toxic. Have fun decorating - it's one of the best parts!

Christina
mom to vivian
starband grad

[admin]

if any of you have time post info related to plagio helmet insurance etc post a topic on forum so i can put this info on in-network website about plagio at http://capp.craniology.org
thanks

[cheriesrealm]

Thanks Christina for the advice! I need to check out the sticker selection at our local Michael's. My husband wanted to paint Xander's band to look like a snowboarding helmet. LOL! We're not that artistic, so I doubt it will happen.

[curlytop_mom]

Hi Cheerie. I'm Cheryl a SAHM to 4 kids. My girls are almost 8 and 3.5. My boys are twins and are almost 11 months old. Isaiah has mild plagiocephaly that seems to be correcting itself. Zechariah has mild torticollis, mild plagiocephaly and moderate brachycephaly. We had a STARscan and now are waiting for insurance to make a decision so we know how much we have to pay out of pocket. Either way we'll band Zechariah, just hope insurance covers some of the cost.

I wanted to welcome you to the group and say hi. I'm in Western NY - where are you located?

Cheryl and gang

[cheriesrealm]

Hi Cheryl! I'm a SAHM to Xander, who will be one year old in 8 days. Boo hoo! Where did my baby go? I'm located in Richmond, Virginia. Xander has brachycephaly also. I always wondered why his head was so flat and then I was directed to a website and saw pictures of babies with brachycephaly and I was like, "That's exactly what Xander's head looks like!!!"

Good luck with the insurance. Our insurance didn't cover it and we paid for it out of pocket, but I am going to try to appeal the insurance company's decision. I hope yours is covered!!!

Thanks for the welcome!

[marcilcorey]

Cherie,

We just used stickers to decorate Megan's band. We changed out the stickers every week and usually went for a theme that was related to the season or time of year. We never were brave enough to use paint, but from what I understand you can use acrylic paints or even spray paint and then seal it with Modge Podge. You can buy a product called Goo Gone at a local hobby store (Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc.) that is great for removing sticker goo and also for removing the Modge Podge if you go that route. I believe there is also a product called Sticker Lifter that is great for removing sticker gunk.

Hope this helps!

[Logan's Mom]

My son was born with torticollis and plagiocephaly due to restrictive uterane. At 6 months they finally gave him a starband helmet. I also was not given a choice for a pre-decorative or pre-colored helmet. I wish I was given a choice. I found a website that recommeneded using acrylic paint and then a sealer on the helmet. I used the acrylic paint b/c it was non-toxic. However, it chips off very easily even with the sealer. Although the sealer helps it to not chip as much, it still does. I would like to know if there is any plastic paint available that is non-toxic? If anyone knows please let me know.

[jennasmom]

I am no help with decorating. I left Jenna's white. I am not real artistic. How is Logan doing in his band? my daughter wore a STARband from age 9 to 12 months with wonderful results. i have some before and after comparisons in her smile journal. Please keep us posted on how logan is doing. She will be 3 tomorrow.

[Lindsay]

Try this website for decorating ideas and accessories.
www.StylinBabyHelmets.com
Very cute!