Baby Benjamin Developed a Noticeably Flat Head — Then Doctors Recommended Wearing a Special Helmet 23 Hours a Day

When Benjamin was just three months old, his parents began noticing something unusual about the way he positioned his head.

The baby repeatedly favored one side, turning his head in the same direction more often than the other.

His parents tried repositioning him, hoping the habit would change. But as the weeks passed, they noticed that part of his head was becoming increasingly flat.

What initially seemed like a small concern eventually led them to seek specialized craniofacial care.

A Flat Spot That Wasn’t Improving

Benjamin developed positional plagiocephaly, a condition in which an infant’s head becomes flattened or asymmetrical.

Because babies’ skulls are still growing and relatively soft, prolonged pressure on one area can influence head shape.

His family attempted repositioning, but the difference remained noticeable.

They were eventually referred to Shriners Children’s Chicago for a craniofacial evaluation.

A Specialized Scan at Seven Months Old

Benjamin attended his first appointment at Shriners Children’s when he was seven months old.

The hospital’s plastic surgery and orthotic teams assessed his head shape using specialized equipment.

One of the tools available was a STARscanner, which uses laser technology to create a three-dimensional scan of an infant’s head in less than two seconds.

The assessment found that Benjamin’s head was mildly to moderately asymmetrical.

His care team recommended helmet therapy.

Wearing a Helmet 23 Hours Every Day

At eight months old, Benjamin received a custom-made cranial remolding helmet designed from his three-dimensional scan.

He was instructed to wear it for 23 hours each day.

The helmet was designed to guide his natural skull growth by providing room for flattened areas to develop while limiting expansion in areas that were already prominent.

It did not work by forcibly pushing his skull into a different shape.

Regular appointments allowed his care team to check the fit and make adjustments as he continued growing.

His Parents Had Questions About Safety

For families considering helmet therapy, common concerns include whether the device will hurt their baby or affect normal development.

The Shriners Children’s team explained that a properly fitted helmet should not be painful and that follow-up appointments help prevent fitting problems.

Benjamin’s parents also continued supervised tummy time while he was awake to strengthen his neck and upper-back muscles.

His care team emphasized that infants should still be placed on their backs for sleep, following safe-sleep recommendations.

A Noticeable Change in Less Than Four Months

Benjamin followed his prescribed helmet-wearing schedule consistently.

In less than four months, his medical team observed favorable results.

The flattened area had rounded out, and his head had become more symmetrical.

His nurse practitioner reported that his head shape had improved to the point that she considered it within the normal range.

For Benjamin’s family, the result marked the end of months spent worrying about a difference they had first noticed when he was only three months old.

Source: Shriners Children’s Chicago, May 17, 2024 — Heads Up: Helmet Therapy Success at Shriners Children’s Chicago.