Some babies wear helmets to correct the shape of their skulls. This isn't to protect them from falls, but rather as a form of therapy called cranial remolding orthosis or helmet therapy.
Why Helmet Therapy?
Newborn babies have soft skulls composed of plates with spaces between them. As they grow, these plates fuse, and sometimes this process results in an irregular head shape. Helmet therapy gently reshapes the skull over time. Two main reasons why a baby might need a helmet include:
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Flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly): This occurs when a baby's head is consistently positioned in one way, often due to sleeping position. This pressure can cause flattening in one area of the skull. See the JDCH blog post on tummy time and the need for helmets.
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Craniosynostosis: A more serious condition where the sutures (fibrous joints between skull bones) fuse prematurely, affecting the skull's growth and shape. WebMD explains the use of helmet therapy for this condition.
The helmet gently applies pressure to the areas needing reshaping, allowing the skull to grow correctly. Johns Hopkins Medicine describes this process. Treatment typically involves wearing the helmet for several months, starting between 4 and 8 months of age. Kenney Orthopedics provides details on treatment duration.
How it Works
The helmet is custom-made to fit the baby's head. It applies gentle pressure to the protruding parts of the skull, encouraging more balanced growth. Several sources describe this function, for example, Norton Children's.
The goal of helmet therapy is to improve the head's appearance and prevent potential future issues associated with severe head asymmetry. Healthline details the aim of helmet therapy.
