As a parent, one of the toughest decisions you may face is whether or not to consider helmet therapy for your baby’s flat head (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly). When your doctor or therapist suggests visiting a plagiocephaly helmet specialist, a flood of questions and concerns might come to mind: ‘Should you trust the advice of a professional who specializes in helmet therapy, or could their recommendation be influenced by their own interests? ‘Is the helmet uncomfortable or difficult for your baby to wear, especially since it needs to be worn for up to 23 hours a day? And most importantly, will it help? With this article, we aim to provide you with all the information, so that you can take the next steps.  

Your baby’s head is soft and malleable
 

It’s important to remember that your baby’s head is still soft and malleable in the first year of life, and there’s still plenty of time for his or her head to grow symmetrically or become more oval in shape. However, there are key factors to consider when making the decision about plagiocephaly helmet therapy.

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The Window of Opportunity for plagiocephaly helmet

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If your baby is under six months old, you still have a great chance for improvement without the need for a helmet. Studies have shown that by the age of six months, babies with positional flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly) often see improvement naturally. This improvement can be significant, with mild cases becoming normal and moderate cases improving to mild. In the case of brachycephaly (flattening at the back of the head), the recovery is even more favorable, with research showing that brachycephaly can improve significantly up to the age of 5. 

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This means that the six-month mark is an important turning point. If your baby is younger than six months and shows clear signs of asymmetry or a severe flattening, plagiocephaly helmet therapy might be beneficial. However, if your baby is already starting to roll or move into different positions, it’s important to reconsider helmet therapy, as their head will be shifting more frequently, which could make the helmet less urgent. 

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When is Helmet Therapy Recommended? 

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Helmet therapy is most effective when there is clear or severe flattening and your baby is still relatively immobile—meaning they haven’t developed the ability to roll over or change positions frequently. In these cases, a custom helmet can help reshape the head in just a few months, with many parents reporting noticeable improvement. 

But here's the catch: helmet therapy is not for every case. It should be considered only after careful evaluation. A helmet won’t be necessary for mild or moderate cases of flat head syndrome, or if your baby has already started to show signs of improving naturally such as from tummy time and changes in sleep position.

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Weighing the Pros and Cons of helmet therapy 

So, should you follow the advice of a helmet specialist? Here are a few things to consider: 

• Comfort: While the helmet might seem uncomfortable at first, babies tend to adjust quickly. However in summertime and if your baby has an irritated skin, such as eczema, wearing a helmet is less comfortable. 

• Effectiveness: If your baby’s condition is moderate to severe (color red in the Skully Care measurement), helmet therapy can make a significant difference in reshaping the head.  

• Natural Growth: Don’t forget that your baby’s skull is still growing and changing rapidly. Many babies show improvement with simple adjustments like more tummy time, changing sleep positions, and varied activities. You might find that helmet therapy isn’t needed at all. 

Monitor progress with our Skully Care App 

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Ultimately, the decision to pursue helmet therapy is a personal one. It’s important to take these things into account: 
-  Your baby’s age 
-  The severity of the head shape issue 
- The way your baby moves 
- Advice of medical professionals.  

We recommend parents and therapists to consider helmet therapy only if there is clear or severe plagiocephaly or brachycephaly and if the baby is not yet rolling or moving into different positions on their own. With the right approach, many babies experience substantial improvement in head shape within just a few months. 

Conclusion

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Remember that the vast majority of babies with flat head syndrome improve over time, with or without the use of a helmet. Trust your instincts, seek advice from trusted professionals, and make the choice that feels right for you and your baby.