The day will come when parents of infants treated for plagiocephaly or brachycephaly with cranial helmets will say goodbye to the helmet. While this is an exciting milestone, it can also bring mixed emotions and require adjustments.
Here’s what you can expect as your baby’s helmet therapy ends.
The Final Helmet Wearing Days
As you near your baby’s scheduled helmet removal date, you’ll likely notice the helmet feeling loose. This is normal, as the child’s head has reshaped during treatment. Your orthotist will examine your little one’s head shape progress and determine if they have achieved the desired correction or if a few more weeks of helmet therapy are recommended.
Helmet Removal Day
This is the big day you’ve been waiting for! The orthotist will carefully remove the cranial helmet, checking the fit and ensuring no areas are rubbing. Don’t be alarmed if you notice some flattening, red marks, or minor skin rashes where the helmet rested against their head. This is temporary and will clear up within a few days.
Post-Helmet Hairline
Parents are often surprised by how high up the baby’s hairline may appear to sit after removing the helmet. The helmet has been holding the hair down in certain areas. Over the next few weeks, their hairline will gradually lower and look more natural as new hair growth emerges.
Resisting Head Shape Changes
While thrilled to have the helmet off, some babies may try to revert to their previous head preferences, like favoring a certain side to sleep on. This is muscle memory from before the helmet. Gently repositioning and varying head positions will remind them to keep their new, corrected head shape. Using positioning aids like rolled towels can help reinforce this.
Encouraging Tummy Time
If you haven’t already, now is a great time to increase tummy time practice. Tummy time encourages neck strengthening and prevents further head-shape deformities. Aim for short, supervised sessions throughout the day. Make it fun with toys, books, and interaction.
Emotional Adjustment
Taking the cranial helmet off can be bittersweet. You’re celebrating graduating from therapy but mourning an era’s end. Celebrate this accomplishment with photoshoots of your baby’s new look. Share milestones on social media and allow loved ones to ooh and aah over their beautiful, symmetrical head.
“As an orthotist, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing an infant graduate from helmet therapy with a beautifully reshaped head and bright future ahead,” says Stuart Weiner, CPO, LPO, and owner of Cranial Center. He adds: “The journey has its challenges, but the parents’ dedication and the child’s resilience are an inspiration. While removing that helmet signifies the end of one chapter, it marks an exciting new beginning for the entire family.”
The end of helmet therapy starts a new chapter with endless possibilities, haircuts to look forward to, and a lifetime of confidence from having a well-shaped head. With preparation and patience, you’ll all transition beautifully into this helmet-free life.
The Cranial Center of New Jersey is one of the first and finest cranial centers on the East Coast, specializing in early intervention cranial and helmet therapy. Cranial Center was the first to offer the STARband™ scanner and helmets in New Jersey and the third company in the world with 3-D technology. Owned and operated by Stuart Weiner, CPO, the Cranial Center is certified by the American Board of Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics. Our facilities are conveniently located across New Jersey: Hackensack, Hazlet, and Morristown. Contact us for a complimentary consultation at 800 685 9116 or at info AT cranial center dot com
