Helmet Therapy for Your Baby: Frequently Asked Questions

Helmet therapy is used to gently guide the shape of a baby’s skull over time. A newborn’s skull is made of bones with soft areas between them. As the baby grows, these plates expand, gradually harden, and knit together.

Sometimes, when a baby sleeps in the same position, soft areas can develop a flat spot or uneven look. This common condition is called plagiocephaly and is not dangerous for your baby’s brain. If it does not improve on its own, your pediatrician may recommend repositioning, exercises, or helmet therapy.

In other cases, skull plates fuse too early or abnormally. That condition is called craniosynostosis and may require surgical treatment, with or without a helmet afterward.

• How does wearing a helmet reshape my child’s head?
• Is my child a candidate for helmet therapy?
• Do insurers cover infant helmet therapy?
• Why do infant helmet prices differ?
• Are helmet prices the same for every deformity?
• Does my child need to wear the helmet all day?
• How long will my child wear a helmet?
• How often are follow-up visits needed during helmet therapy?
• Let’s assess your baby’s head shape — request a preliminary analysis

How does wearing a helmet reshape my child’s head?

Cranial remolding helmets are usually made with a firm outer shell and a foam liner. They guide natural growth by allowing more expansion in flatter areas while limiting further growth in more prominent areas. Helmet therapy for infant head shaping is generally more responsive when started within the first 6 months.

As your baby’s head grows, frequent adjustments are made. The helmet essentially provides a guided, rounded space for growth. Even if your child still prefers resting to one side, the helmet helps cushion and limit further flattening.

Is my child a candidate for helmet therapy?

If your child is diagnosed with deformational plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, or scaphocephaly and is under 12 months of age, a cranial remolding helmet may be recommended. A helmet should be prescribed by a physician. Not every baby is an appropriate candidate—discuss this carefully with your clinician.

In addition, children who undergo endoscopic surgery for craniosynostosis are often given helmet therapy afterward to further support head shape.

Do insurers cover infant helmet therapy?

In Türkiye, SGK currently does not pay for infant helmet costs. Some private health insurance plans may cover helmet therapy—check your policy details.

Why do infant helmet prices differ?

Infant helmet prices vary. Material properties and the care pathway can affect cost.

Are helmet prices the same for every deformity?

Pricing is usually set by the care package rather than by charging a different fee for every deformity grade. Many pathways are completed with a single helmet and a single care fee.

Does my child need to wear the helmet all day?

Yes. The usual plan is about 23 hours of wear per day.

It can be removed for bathing. At other times—play, sleep, or feeding—your baby generally stays in the helmet. Hearing that your baby may spend developmental months in a helmet can feel shocking at first. What we emphasize is that helmets are usually well tolerated and do not need to restrict typical activities.

How long will my child wear a helmet?

Average treatment with a helmet is often about three to four months, but duration varies with age and severity. Careful, frequent monitoring is needed to confirm that reshaping is progressing as planned.

How often are follow-up visits needed during helmet therapy?

Visit frequency depends on severity. A common helmet follow-up schedule after fitting is:

• Day 14 — first check
• Day 45 — second check
• Day 90 — third check
• Day 135 — fourth check

While your baby wears a custom helmet and adjustments are made, you will have regular visits at CranioWell Orthotics & Prosthetics Centers, where the HKM Pro helmet is fitted and adjusted. Your physician remains part of the overall medical care plan. The schedule above can vary with deformity severity.