Have you ever seen a baby in a helmet and wondered, “why do babies wear helmets?” Since babies can’t ride bikes or scooters, it is normal to create curiosity in your mind. In this blog, I will let you know why babies wear helmets and what benefits they provide.
What is helmet therapy?
Helmet therapy is a special kind of treatment that is mainly prescribed to the baby who is born with the flat head syndrome. This therapy is also known as helmet orthosis. It helps to mold the baby’s skull into the right shape. Generally, it is a clinically proven treatment that is used to reshape the skull in infants. It is a painless treatment for your baby. The helmet needs to be worn for 23 hours a day. This treatment takes around 3-6 months.
Also read: Is Helmet Necessary for Scooter?
Why do babies wear helmets?
A Baby’s skull is not hard as an adult’s. Their skull is very soft and is made up of several malleable plates with soft spots (called fontanels) and ridges (called sutures). Since babies’ heads grow so fast, they must be very flexible. Usually, babies wear helmets to reshape and remold their heads to become more rounded and symmetrical. Babies with flat head syndrome have a misshapen head. That means babies need helmets to correct the shape of their heads. Not only that, but this helmet also protects their heads from future health issues.
Generally, the best age to start helmet therapy for babies is between 5 and 6 months. So that the helmet can shape the babies’ skulls gently as they grow. In fact, babies need to wear helmets when they sleep. Parents must take their babies frequently to the doctor to adjust the helmet as the skull shape changes.
When do babies need helmet therapy?
Babies mainly wear helmets to correct the shape of their skulls. Here are the following conditions when babies need to wear helmets:
Plagiocephaly:
Plagiocephaly is also known as a flat head syndrome when one side of the baby’s head becomes flattened out for continuous pressure. When babies lie on their backs for a long time, babies skull shape becomes flat. It is called positional plagiocephaly. However, it is not dangerous since it does not affect brain growth and development. So, doctors suggest helmet therapy to improve this condition.
Craniosynostosis:
Sometimes babies’ cranial bones fuse very fast due to genetic conditions. This condition is called Craniosynostosis. The shape of the skull becomes uneven. For this reason, It restricts brain growth. So, Craniosynostosis requires surgery and, in some cases, helmet therapy.
How long do babies have to wear helmets?
Babies usually wear helmets for 23 hours a day, seven days a week. Parents remove babies’ helmets for bathing, getting dressed, and cleaning. This helmet therapy takes around 3-6 months, depending on how severe the case is. It is essential to finish this therapy before the skull bones begin to fuse together.
See also: Can you wear a GoPro on your Helmet in California?
Do remolding helmets cause discomfort?
No, it doesn’t cause discomfort. Since the helmet is made with soft foam inside, it doesn’t cause any discomfort. Moreover, the size of the helmet is adjustable to avoid discomfort. So, wearing this helmet is not painful at all.