How do plagiocephaly Helmets work?

A plagiocephaly helmet is an advanced cranial remoulding treatment to effectively treat moderate to severe cases of flat head syndrome. At Technology in Motion, we have developed the TiMband™, a flat head helmet that is made to the exact model of your baby’s head shape.
Abstract Background: Although helmet therapy is widely accepted in the treatment of severe positional plagiocephaly, treatment regimens, especially regarding starting age, are controversial. This study investigated the importance of starting age to optimize the management of helmet therapy.
There is a group of about 3% of infants whose head shape is really quite severely deformed and these are the ones who need treatment. For the milder ones, plagiocephaly can be corrected sufficiently without the need for a helmet, through repositioning and ensuring that the baby stays off the flattened area in early infancy.
The condition is known as flat head syndrome or plagiocephaly. While it isn’t rare, most people know very little about it. Hamilton Health Sciences’ Prosthetics & Orthotics Program is one of Canada’s largest providers of treatment for this condition. This team creates custom helmets to help remold the skill skull when it has grown unevenly.

How long do babies need to wear a helmet?

Babies will wear a flat head helmet for 23 hours a day to correct the condition, even in the car seat. The skull needs to be reshaped and to get used to that shape.
Ideally, you should start using a helmet to correct flat head syndrome before seven months. But a baby’s head and skull may still be able to be shaped by a helmet as late as 14 months. Are There Different Sizes of Baby Helmet? A baby helmet for flat head has to be sized to your child.
What conditions cause a baby to need a helmet? 1 Positional skull deformity. Deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and NICUcephaly are three conditions that cause a… 2 Craniosynostosis. This condition is caused when bony plates in the skull are abnormally fused together. As the brain… More …
You cannot let your own personal desires or feelings get in the way. It’s tempting to take your baby’s helmet off for family events or social outings (or whatever), but you cannot. Babies grow so quickly, you do not want to miss a growth spurt.

When can a helmet be prescribed for a child with plagiocephaly?

A corrective helmet can help treat your baby’s plagiocephaly or “baby flat-head.”. The helmet is designed to correct the shape of your child’s skull over time. Your child will likely need to wear the helmet for four to six months.
There is a group of about 3% of infants whose head shape is really quite severely deformed and these are the ones who need treatment. For the milder ones, plagiocephaly can be corrected sufficiently without the need for a helmet, through repositioning and ensuring that the baby stays off the flattened area in early infancy.
This common condition is called plagiocephaly, and it is not dangerous to your baby’s brain. If the condition does not resolve on its own, your pediatrician may recommend repositioning, exercises or helmet therapy. In other cases, the plates of the baby’s skull fuse too soon, or in an abnormal way.
Flexible skulls can protect a baby’s growing brain, which roughly doubles in size during the first year. But if a baby’s skull shape seems different, he or she may need helmet therapy. What is helmet therapy? Helmet therapy (also called helmet orthosis) is a treatment that’s prescribed to help mold the baby’s skull into shape.

What is helmet therapy for babies?

Babies grow fast, and their heads are made for this quick growth. Flexible skulls can protect a baby’s growing brain, which roughly doubles in size during the first year. But if a baby’s skull shape seems different, he or she may need helmet therapy.
Helmet molding therapy, or cranial orthosis, is a type of treatment in which a baby is fitted with a special helmet to correct the shape of the skull. Helmet molding therapy is not painful or uncomfortable for your baby. Duration of treatment can vary based on your baby’s needs, but average treatment is 3 months.
Gentle, persistent pressures are applied to capture the natural growth of a baby’s head while inhibiting growth in the prominent areas and allowing for growth in the flat regions. Adjustments are made frequently as your baby’s head grows. The helmet essentially provides a tight, round space for the head to grow into.
What is helmet therapy? Helmet therapy, or the use of a cranial orthosis, is a type of treatment prescribed for infants to help correct the baby’s skull shape. Helmets work by directing growth from the flat spot, but they must be worn during the time when the skull (and therefore the brain) is actively growing. What causes a baby to need a helmet?

How long will my baby wear a helmet?

Babies usually need to wear the helmet for 23 hours a day. It usually only comes off for bathing or getting dressed. This might seem like a long time to wear a helmet, but babies’ skulls are only malleable for so long.
Ideally, you should start using a helmet to correct flat head syndrome before seven months. But a baby’s head and skull may still be able to be shaped by a helmet as late as 14 months. Are There Different Sizes of Baby Helmet? A baby helmet for flat head has to be sized to your child.
Helmet therapy is used to gently correct the shape of babies’ skulls over time. Newborn babies’ skulls are soft plates with spaces between them. As the baby grows, these plates grow, gradually harden and knit together. Sometimes when a baby sleeps in the same position, the soft plates may develop a flat spot or uneven appearance.
The average treatment with a helmet is usually three months, but the duration of treatment will depend on your child’s age and the severity of the condition. Careful and frequent monitoring is required to ensure that the skull is reshaping correctly. How often will I need to see the doctor while my child undergoes helmet therapy?

When should a baby wear a helmet for flat head syndrome?

For babies older than 6 months and those with very severe cases of flat head syndrome, wearing a helmet may be useful. It can often correct the problem quickly and does not cause any harm to the child.
Ideally, you should start using a helmet to correct flat head syndrome before seven months. But a baby’s head and skull may still be able to be shaped by a helmet as late as 14 months. Are There Different Sizes of Baby Helmet?
Technically, the helmet will force the flat surface to round out. The helmet used in correcting the head shape is advisable for babies as their skulls are soft and are still developing. A flat head is not the only thing that you will notice in down syndrome babies; some of their features are also affected.
Generally, helmet therapy is a kind of treatment to shape the baby’s head. Helmets are worn during babyhood because this is the stage where their skulls are still flexible. Hence, making the treatment a hundred percent successful. Babies wear helmets while the brain and skulls are still under development.