Physical Therapist Says Yes to Docband, Pediatrician Says No....

My son had a flat head from the get go - the back of his head. My pediatrician wasn't against the doc band, but really never suggested it either. It was a PT who first mentioned it to me. I then researched it. I even took him to a specialist at Children's Memorial. This man dismissed me and said, "Oh, he's a boy, it won't really be noticeable. And it will round out." This was at 6 months. I waited longer and it did nothing. I then went for a consultation in Glenview with doc band. They were wonderful and showed me all the different aspects of his head/face and how they out of proportion due those the flatness in the back. From 9-12 months he wore the doc band. He could have cared less about it. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner. There was only so much they could do since his head had already grown so much. It is MUCH better than it was, but I regret listening to that doctor and not going with my intuition. Good luck.

I would follow the suggestion of the physical therapist. Did you start therapy on your own, or did the pediatrician have you start it? If the doctor was comfortable with suggesting the therapy, I don't understand why she is questioning their suggestion. Is it simply that the therapist and the pediatrician need to meet/talk and discuss the best course? Sometimes when two professionals talk, there is a better understanding then when we are the 'go between'.

As for the formula issue. Our pediatrician used to give us samples too. They had a ton of them and would hand them out for the first few visits so that they wouldn't go to waste. If you don't want to use it, just donate it to a shelter or another friend that DOES use it. The thing is, when money was tight, and I wanted that free sample of our formula, they didn't offer it up, and I was too proud to ask.

As for finding a new pediatrician, ask the therapist. I am sure that there are some good doctors in the area that the therapist has a good relationship with.

Also, ask the therapist about the window of opportunity for the docband. It may be that waiting a month to start is not harmful, just not helpful. Then again, it could be that now is the time to get the most benefit. That is important information to have.

Please know that pediatricians are good for treating child hood illnesses and do know a little about a lot of stuff that can effect our little ones but do NOT put your total faith in them for things that should be treated by a specialist in that particular area.

A Cardiologist went to medical school, they had several months, if not longer, in OB/GYN....would you want a cardiologist in your labor and delivery room trying to get that baby out of you if there were any complications? Just as you'd want that Cardiologist in the room if you were having a heart attack instead of the PB/GYN.

A doc learns a lot about medical treatment but they do not learn a not about any other areas then the one they specialize in, so please visit with your insurance agency and find out who is on their list that treats this ailment the best. That way you will be seeing someone who knows the ins and outs of new theories and treatments.

I would go with the peds recommendation. Your son is only 3 months and I think she feels giving it a little more time will help. From what I understand the band works best between 4-6 months. I personally would go for a little more PT to avoid the cost and having to deal with the docband. It isn't going to hurt anything to give it a month or two.

I actually think the ped was remiss not to work with you on other issues like if what you were eating was causing it vs having to change to formula if you did not want to.

At the end of the day, your pediatrician is someone you need to trust. If you do not trust her judgement or feel you cannot discuss your child's care with her and be heard and really understood, then you need someone you can work with. 18 - 20 years is a long time to not have faith in your professional. One reason we stay with the HMO we have is because DD's pediatrician is awesome.

Can the therapist talk to to the pediatrician directly?

What I find missing from your question above is "why"...why does the pediatrician disagree with your formula choice? Why does the pediatrician disagree with the docband? I certainly hope her "no" was followed with a "because..." Does she have valid reasoning? Either you agree with her rational or you don't.

Is there another pediatrician in the practice that you and your views mesh with better? Could you make your appointments with them instead?

I don't understand why you would shop for a new pediatrician for only a month. If you don't mesh with this one than find another whose opinion you are confident in.

You obviously have a pediatrician you're not in synch with, first of all. A lot of people don't realize that many doctors are connected with drug companies, formula companies, and so on, that reward them based on the amount of products they hand out to their patients. (I've just learned the same thing about veterinarians - I know some vet students who are approached by dog food companies and given free or low-cost dog food so they can get essentially work as sales reps.)

It's hard to say who's right in this situation, but your gut is telling you to go with the PT. I'd get a new pediatrician and be open to what that person says and then at least you'll have more perspective. The new pedi might agree with the old pedi, or might not. But it's most important that you feel the new pedi listens to you before making a recommendation.

Good luck.

I would start by finding a new pediatrician.

I'd listen to the pediatrician. I'd get a 3rd opinion.

Do you need a referral to see a cranio-facial specialist? Someone who could prescribe the doc band w/o going through your pediatrician? We saw one out of Children's (now Lurie) about 6 years ago -- don't remember the name. They did all sorts of measurments, and concluded that we did not need one. We were very aggressive w/r/t repositioning from 8 weeks of age through 5 months and pretty much fixed the problem on our own. If your baby likes to sleep on his back, that's fine. You can still wedge him in with rolled up receiving blankets to roll him off the flat spot. In the car seat, put a rolled up blanket into a "U" shape behind his head to keep the back of his head elevated just a bit, or put a couple on one side to keep his head turned to the side. Car seats and bouncy chairs are the worst for torticollis and flat heads -- good luck!

Hi,
My son had a doc band from 8 months to 11.5 months. Its not a big deal and your son would totally adjust to it within a couple days. It doesn't hurt to wait to get the band, I believe most get it around 5-6 months. So your ped's advice to keep trying re-positioning is valid and won't hurt anything and why get a band if there's a chance you won't need it? I'd rather not have had one of course, but it did work wonders.
That all being said, it sounds like you don't mesh well with your pediatrician. So finding another one would probably be a good idea. Like I said, it won't hurt your son to wait a month or two or three to get a Doc Band. :)

you have accepted the Docband. The PT recommends it. Have your pediatrician talk with the PT and get on the same page.

he is YOUR son. The pediatrician is against it - WHY? What is her reasoning? How long does she feel repositioning will take?

I would have a SERIOUS discussion with both and tell them your expectations and get everyone on the same page!

good luck!!