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Cranial Molding Helmet at North Austin Campus

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A cranial molding helmet, also known as a cranial orthosis, is a custom-made helmet that we may use in North Austin to help correct your baby’s flat head. This can be if your baby develops a severe flatness on the back of the head from lying on their back called deformational plagiocephaly. We also use molding helmets following a specialized procedure for craniosynostosis called endoscopic strip craniectomy to help control the shape of the head after surgery. The helmet is only useful if started in young infants between 3 to 6 months of age.

  • The molding helmet applies a gentle consistent guidance to redirect a baby's natural head growth into areas that need more correction, such as an area of flatness. The helmet acts as a mold for the desired shape of your baby's head, allowing the flat areas to grow into the helmet's empty space. 
  • The helmet does not apply any direct pressure to the head, it only guides the growth. 
  • Our team may recommend a cranial molding helmet if your baby has moderate to severe flatness on the back of their head from always sleeping on one side of their head. This is very common and is known as deformational plagiocephaly. Most flatness does not need a molding helmet, but we may recommend it if the condition is severe and doesn't improve on its own or with changes in sleeping position by 3-5 months of age. 
  • Our Texas Children’s North Austin Campus team is experienced in the treatment of a rare condition that also causes head shape changes in babies, known as craniosynostosis. If we recommend endoscopic strip craniectomy as the surgery to treat your baby’s craniosynostosis we will use a cranial molding helmet to guide the head shape after the procedure.
  • We partner with a well-known orthotic company called the Hanger Clinic that specializes in making cranial molding helmets. 
  • The Hanger Clinic has multiple branches, and we can usually find one in close driving distance from your house. 
  • After confirming your baby will benefit from a helmet, we will place an order to the Hanger Clinic closest to you. This cost of the helmet is processed through your insurance as a medical treatment.
  • At your first visit the Hanger specialist will take a surface scan of your baby’s head. This does not involve any radiation. They will use that scan to custom make a helmet for your baby’s condition. You will return for a fitting of the helmet 1-2 weeks later. 
  • Your baby will need to wear the molding helmet 23 hours each day. During the one hour without the helmet, they can have their bath. 
  • You will need to return to the Hanger Clinic approximately every two weeks for an adjustment of the helmet to match the growth of your baby’s head. 
  • The total length of treatment is usually 3 to 6 months. When your baby has outgrown their first helmet, you will need to see your surgeon in clinic to decide if a second helmet is needed. 
  • When fitted and worn as instructed, cranial molding helmets are very effective. The best correction is if the helmet is started less than four months of age. 
  • The molding helmet treatment is designed to treat severe flatness but is not meant to make your baby’s head completely round. Everyone has a slight difference in their head shape that is normal. 
  • Deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis can both shift the position of a baby’s ears so that one may be further forward than the other. This is due to difference in the base of the skull and not the skull bones themselves. Cranial molding helmet treatment, with or without surgery, will improve the head shape but it will not change the position of the ears.