Flat Head Therapy
Gentle, customised cranial orthoses to support your baby’s head shape growth.
What is a flat head therapy?
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Baby helmet therapy involves the use of a custom-fitted helmet to help guide head shape development in infants. The helmet provides gentle support while allowing natural growth, helping to address head shape asymmetry over time.
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The therapy is typically considered during early developmental stages 4 to 8 months old, when head growth is most responsive to guided support.
How it works
Before helmet
After helmet
Before helmet
Before and after scan to visualise changes as your baby grows with guided support.
Your baby’s head is still growing and changing very quickly in the first year. Sometimes, if your baby has a preferred sleeping position or tends to turn to one side more often, a flat spot can develop.
The good news is that this growth phase is also when gentle support can make the biggest difference. A baby helmet (cranial orthosis) works by guiding growth, not forcing it. It is custom-made to match your baby’s head shape, with carefully planned space in the areas where we want the head shape to “catch up” as your baby grows. Where the head is already more prominent, the helmet provides light contact to help discourage further growth in that direction.
Parents often worry the helmet will “squeeze” the head. It doesn’t. The helmet is designed to be comfortable, lightweight, and non-invasive, and your baby’s head shape changes gradually over time through natural growth.
Throughout the process, we’ll support you closely. Your baby will have regular reviews and small adjustments to keep the fit safe and comfortable as they grow. We will also guide you on the wear schedule, cleaning, and what’s normal to expect in the first few days, so you feel confident every step of the way.
If you’re unsure whether your baby needs helmet therapy, a quick assessment can give clarity and peace of mind.
When baby helmet therapy may be considered
Baby helmet therapy may be considered for infants who:
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Have noticeable head shape asymmetry
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Have not shown sufficient improvement with repositioning
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Are identified through clinical assessment as suitable for helmet therapy
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Suitability and timing depend on individual assessment and developmental factors.
Our approach to baby helmet therapy
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Bring your baby in for a quick, gentle check with our clinician.
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We’ll look at your baby’s head shape, movement, and any preferences like turning to one side.
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If suitable, we may do a 3D scan to capture the head shape accurately (fast and non-invasive).
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You’ll get clear guidance on what we’re seeing, and what options are available.
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How does the treatment work?
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A cranial molding helmet is used to help to align skull bones while the cranium is growing.
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Helmets rely on brain growth to help reshape the cranial bones. Brain growth is greatest between birth and age 12 months: during this time, skull bones are more malleable.
What is the recommended age?
If flatness remains noticeable after 4 months despite conservative treatment, cranial remolding therapy may be recommended.
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0-4 months - Conservative treatment (positioning, tummy time, exercise, physical therapy)
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4-7 months - Best age to begin helmet therapy based on brain growth and skull bone malleability.
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7-12 months - Cranial growth starting to slow, good results are still possible, may take longer.
Conservative Treatment (0–4 months old)
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Encourage tummy time
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Alternate your baby's head position
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Hold your baby
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Frequently move your baby between places (crib, stroller, swing, etc)
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Put your baby to sleep on their back at alternate ends of the crib
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Minimize the time your baby is stationary during waking hours
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Alternate holding positions during feeding time between right and left arm.
