Does my baby really need a helmet?

Does my baby really need a helmet?

If your baby has a large flat spot that isn't getting better by about 4 months of age, your doctor may prescribe a helmet. For a helmet to be effective, treatment should begin between 4 and 6 months of age. This will allow for the helmet to gently shape your baby's skull as they grow.

Why would you put a helmet on a baby?

The most common cause for helmets today is to treat positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. A number of factors contribute to positional plagiocephaly. In most cases, the issue will fix itself by the time the child is 5 years old. But if a parent is concerned, a helmet can help properly shape the skull.

Do babies helmets hurt?

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. Helmet therapy is also known as cranial orthosis.

What happens if you don't fix plagiocephaly?

They can grow out of it naturally or correct it with therapy. It is unlikely to cause issues with their brain growth or function. However, if plagiocephaly is left untreated, children are at risk of developmental, neurological, or psychological difficulties.

How much does a baby helmet cost?

Helmets to treat flattened skulls range in price from $1,300 to $3,000, and parents are told to make sure infants wear them around the clock.

Do baby helmets cause brain damage?

Can Plagiocephaly Helmets Hinder Brain Development? The quick answer is, no. When fitting a TiMband helmet, we always ensure that there's enough room to allow brain growth to continue at a normal rate.

Are helmets bad for babies?

Do not recommend helmet therapy for positional skull deformity in infants and children. Wearing a helmet causes adverse effects but does not alter the natural course of head growth.

How much does a helmet for a baby cost?

Helmets to treat flattened skulls range in price from $1,300 to $3,000, and parents are told to make sure infants wear them around the clock.

Can flat head be corrected without helmet?

Plagiocephaly Treatment Without a Helmet. In 77% of cases, milder plagiocephaly can be corrected sufficiently without the need for a helmet, through what is known as repositioning.

Does plagiocephaly get worse with age?

Head shape and developmental delay associated with deformational plagiocephaly usually improve by age 4 years. Whether treatment with helmets is superior to repositioning remains uncertain.

How often should a baby wear a helmet?

Generally, it is recommended that babies wear their helmet 23 hours a day, only removing it for bathtime and for cleaning. Babies are easily adaptable, and my daughter was used to hers within a couple of days. Of course, some babies will tolerate it better than others.

Are there helmets for babies with flat heads?

The use of these expensive helmets to treat flattened heads is controversial and there has been little research into their use, the study authors noted. The new study was published May 1 in the online edition of BMJ. Researchers in the Netherlands looked at 84 babies who had moderate to severe flattening of the head.

How is helmet therapy used for newborn babies?

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.

Can a baby wear a helmet without insurance?

Helmets are usually not covered by insurance and they can be expensive. It’s incredibly unfortunate, but a lot of insurance companies deem infant helmets for plagiocephaly or brachycephaly *cosmetic.