Infants may require a helmet for medical reasons to protect, reshape, or support their head. The main reasons an infant may need to wear a helmet include:
- Plagiocephaly – Flattening of one side of the head causing asymmetrical skull shape. This can occur from consistently lying on one area of the head.
- Brachycephaly – Flattening at the back of the head causing a wider, shorter skull shape. Can result from lying on the back of the head.
- Scaphocephaly – Narrowing and elongation of the skull causing a boat-like shape. Often occurs prenatally.
- Positional skull deformation – Misshaping of the skull due to consistent external pressures on one area.
- Craniosynostosis – Premature fusion of one or more cranial bones causing abnormal head shape.
Wearing a helmet can help redirect an infant’s skull growth to correct these conditions and avoid permanent deformities. Read on to learn more about the causes, types of helmets used, and the helmet-wearing process for infants.
What Causes Babies to Need Helmets?
There are several potential causes for an infant to require a helmet to reshape their skull:
Plagiocephaly
Plagiocephaly refers to flattening on one side of an infant’s head, causing asymmetric distortion. It can occur when a baby consistently lies in the same sleeping position, putting pressure on one area of their soft, malleable skull. This can flatten the forehead or cause the back of the head to bulge out on one side.
Brachycephaly
Brachycephaly is the flattening of the back of the skull, which widens and shortens the head shape, sometimes causing a flat spot. It often develops from an infant consistently lying on their back or being in a baby carrier or car seat that puts pressure on the back of the head.
Scaphocephaly
Scaphocephaly causes a long, narrow skull shape resulting from the premature fusion of the sagittal suture (down the middle of the top of the head). This can occur due to abnormal fetal positioning in the womb or genetic factors.
Positional Skull Deformation
Consistent external pressure on any part of an infant’s soft, growing skull can cause flattening and asymmetry. Positional skull deformation from consistent sleeping positions or pressure from car seats is a common cause of plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, or atypical skull shapes that may require a helmet.
Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is the early fusion of one or more cranial sutures – the gaps between skull bones. This restricts growth perpendicular to the fused suture, resulting in an abnormal head shape. Unlike positional skull deformation, craniosynostosis requires surgery to correct and is usually followed with helmet therapy.
Helmet Types for Infants
There are a few main types of orthotic helmets designed for correcting an infant’s skull shape:
Passive Helmets
Passive helmets are rounded or molded to encourage the infant’s growth in a more symmetrical shape. They provide gentle redirection of skull growth but do not apply active force or restraint.
Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC) Bands
DOC bands have an inflatable compartment that applies light, dynamic pressure on protruding areas to gently guide skull reshaping. Pressure levels can be adjusted as needed.
Active Helmets
Active helmets apply consistent, more restrictive forces to prominences to restrict growth and reshape specific areas. They have a tighter fit and may have inserts added to apply pressure to targeted regions.
Cranial Remodeling Orthoses
These custom-molded helmets apply forces to prominences while leaving room for flattened areas to “catch up”. This guided restriction redirects skull growth in underdeveloped areas to achieve symmetry.
The type of helmet recommended depends on the infant’s diagnosis, age, stage of development, and severity of skull deformation. Doctors and orthotists determine the appropriate device based on each child’s needs.
The Helmet Wearing Process
Using a helmet to reshape an infant’s head is a gradual process requiring consistent helmet wear. The typical process involves:
- Initial consultation – Doctors assess the infant’s head shape and diagnose positional skull deformation or craniosynostosis. They explain helmet treatment options to the parents.
- Cranial scanning – A 3D scan of the infant’s head is done to create a digital model of their unique skull shape.
- Custom helmet molding – Using the scan, orthotists fabricate a custom-molded helmet lined with foam pads.
- Helmet fitting – At around 4-6 months old, the orthotist fits the infant with the helmet and makes adjustments to ensure a proper fit. Parents are trained on use and care.
- Helmet wearing – The helmet must be worn 23 hours a day for several months as the skull gradually molds to the helmet’s shape. Doctors and orthotists check fit and progress at regular appointments.
- Weaning from helmet – Once the desired head shape is achieved, helmet wear is gradually decreased over a few weeks until it is no longer needed.
- Follow-up appointments – Doctors monitor the infant’s progress out of the helmet to ensure the proper head shape is maintained as the skull continues growing and developing.
Proper use and follow-up care are vital for helmet therapy to effectively reshape an infant’s skull. With consistent helmet wear, most babies achieve significant improvement within a few months.
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Conclusion
Plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, scaphocephaly and other conditions causing atypical skull shapes often require infants to wear helmets. Custom-fitted helmets gently guide skull growth in the desired direction to correct flat spots and asymmetry.
With consistent 23 hour per day wear, most infants see significant improvement within a few months. Close follow-up care with doctors and orthotists helps ensure proper helmet fit, use, and progress.
While alleviating concerns about appearance, helmet therapy’s most important outcome is optimizing infants’ brain growth and minimizing developmental delays. With dedication to the process, parents can help their little ones obtain a well-proportioned, beautifully shaped head.
Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Helmets
Here are answers to some common questions about helmet therapy for babies:
At what age do babies start wearing helmets?
Helmet therapy typically begins between 4-6 months of age. This allows time for repositioning to improve mild skull flattening from positional plagiocephaly. If significant asymmetry, brachycephaly, or scaphocephaly is present by 4 months, a helmet may be recommended.
How long do babies have to wear helmets?
Helmet treatment often lasts 4-6 months, with the helmet worn 23 hours per day. More severe cases can require helmets for 8-12 months. The orthotist evaluates progress at follow-up visits to determine when helmet use can be discontinued.
Do helmets for babies cause pressure sores?
The foam lining of helmets is designed to prevent pressure points on an infant’s delicate skin. Orthotists ensure proper fit and make adjustments as needed. Some minimal skin irritation can occur but is manageable with routine care.
Can a baby wear a helmet to bed?
Yes, infants should wear their helmet therapy as much as possible, including naps and nighttime sleep. The orthotist outfits the helmet for comfortable, safe sleep positioning. The helmet does not interfere with prone or back sleeping once the infant gets accustomed to it.
How much do infant helmets cost?
The cost of a custom-fitted cranial molding helmet typically ranges from $1,500-$3,000. Health insurance often covers a portion of the cost if the helmet is deemed medically necessary by the infant’s doctor.
When does my baby need a new helmet?
As the infant’s head grows and changes shape, adjustments will be needed. Around 2-3 months into treatment, the orthotist will refit the helmet or create a new mold. Outgrowing helmets and requiring new ones periodically is common.
Can helmet therapy correct genetic conditions?
For disorders like craniosynostosis that cause abnormal skull shapes, helmets can help guide growth direction but cannot alter genetic factors. Following surgery, helmets help maximize correction potential in genetic conditions.
Can flat heads reoccur after helmet treatment?
Some flattening can redevelop after helmet therapy if positional habits resume. Parents must ensure proper head positioning during sleep and upright play to prevent recurrence once helmet use is stopped.
How effective are helmets at reshaping infant heads?
With consistent, proper use, helmets successfully reshape infants’ heads in most cases. Studies show 95-98% of babies achieve significant improvement in symmetry with orthotic helmets. Effectiveness depends on follow-through with helmet wear and positioning.