Are Baby Helmets a Scam?
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: this isn’t just my opinion, and it’s not based on one single experience. I’ve spent the last three years helping parents all over the world as a licensed occupational therapist specializing in “flat head” correction. What I’m sharing here comes from real data, real families, and real results.
This post isn’t here to judge anyone. If you’ve used a helmet or are considering one, that’s your call, and a valid one. My goal here is to give you more information and more options so that you can feel confident making the best choice for your baby and your family.
So let's dive in.
Let's define a few things first.
Before we talk about helmets, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page with a few terms:
- Flat Head Syndrome: A general term for flat spots on a baby’s head. This flattening can happen on the back, the side, or both.
- Cranial Helmet: A molded helmet designed to guide a baby’s head shape by creating space where the head needs to grow.
- Torticollis: A condition where a baby prefers to keep their head tilted or turned to one side. This can contribute to flat spots.
- Side Preference: Not quite torticollis, but still a tendency to favor one side. It may involve some tension, but it’s typically less severe.
How do flat spots even happen?
Most babies are born with a head-turning preference, it’s totally normal. But if that preference sticks around and the baby spends lots of time lying on their back or in devices like car seats, swings, or bouncers, that pressure in the same spot can lead to flattening. (Think about how modeling clay flattens if you press on it repeatedly.)
And here in the U.S., with pediatrician visits typically happening at 2, 4, and 6 months, that’s when flat spots are often first brought up. In other countries, like the UK or parts of Europe, nurses visit the home more regularly, often catching these things earlier or managing them more proactively.
When a flat spot is spotted, parents are usually advised to:
- Do more tummy time
- Try some neck stretches
- See a chiropractor, osteopath, or pediatric therapist
- Or… get referred to a helmet clinic
What Usually Happens Next
In most cases, unless the provider is trained in strategic positioning, the recommendation boils down to: "Keep your baby off the flat spot and encourage movement."
Sometimes this works! But often, parents aren’t given any kind of comprehensive plan before being referred for a helmet. And let’s be honest: once you're in that helmet clinic, the chances are high, like, 9 out of 10, that you’re walking out with a helmet.
Here's a red flag to look out for: If a clinic only sells helmets, they’re probably going to sell you a helmet.
Harsh? Maybe. True? Unfortunately, yes.
And the sales pitch is a problem.
There’s one major helmet clinic in the U.S. that tends to use the same lines often with the majority of families they see.
“Glasses won’t fit.”
“Bike helmets won’t fit.”
“Your child will need custom hats.”
“They’ll have ear infections.”
“The ears or face are misaligned.”
“This is moderate to severe.”
Sound familiar? (Remember: this post is based on DATA COLLECTION not personal experience or claims).
But when you dig into the research behind these claims, there’s very little evidence to support them. In fact, a 2014 study from the Netherlands found that helmet therapy was no more effective than repositioning. As a result, helmets are no longer used for flat head in that country at all.
But lack of early intervention is really the issue
The biggest problem isn’t the helmets themselves, it’s that most parents aren’t given a true plan before heading to the helmet clinic.
Not much guidance. No positioning strategy. Not a lot of real, practical support.
And yet, if parents had access to a 6-week targeted repositioning program early on, in so many cases, the helmet wouldn’t even be needed.
So… are helmets a ccam?
Not exactly. But they are a huge business, and one that’s often driven by influencer marketing and fear-based messaging.
Do helmets work? In most cases, yes.
Are they overused? Also yes.
But, helmets should be the exception, not the rule.
But helmets make sense sometimes.
There are cases where helmets are the best option, and I’m grateful they exist when they’re truly needed.
Here’s when to consider a helmet with your baby:
- Babies with medical conditions that limit movement or make repositioning difficult
- Babies recovering from craniosynostosis surgery
- Babies over 9 months with severe flatness (per Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s scale)
- Babies who have tried repositioning for 6+ weeks and parents are still concerned about the shape
- Families who feel more comfortable choosing the helmet route (and that’s totally valid!)
Want to avoid a helmet? Here's what to do.
If you’re just now noticing a flat spot, don’t panic. There’s time. Your baby doesn’t automatically need a helmet.
The head shape continues to change with growth, through age 2 for side flattening and up to age 5 for the back of the head.
But if you want to see results soon and be confident that your baby's head is improving, we have a plan for you.
I don't want you to miss the fact that I’ve been where you are. I’ve stared at my baby’s head wondering what to do and feeling totally unsure about what’s “right.” That experience led me here, to build Infant Insights into a place where we support parents and giving them actual answers.
Whatever path you choose, it’s your choice. That automatically makes it the right one for your baby.
We always say this to the families we work with:
“Some parents don’t even have the capacity to worry about this stuff. The fact that you care already makes you an amazing parent.”
You’re doing great. And at Infant Insights, we’re always in your corner.
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