It’s important to get your child assessed in a timely manner. Treatment of flat head syndrome is time-sensitive. PBO Baby clinics do not charge for initial assessments, and we do not require a referral to see your child. Once the assessment is complete, we can better decide on the next steps. If a helmet is indicated, a prescription will be required for us to fit your child.

Early intervention is important, whether that is the use of a helmet, which is typically started when a baby is between five and six months old, or the use of conservative repositioning therapy, which can be started at a very young age. Having your baby assessed at a very young age will help ensure the best treatment plan can be developed for the best outcomes.

Our clinical staff will do a standard physical assessment.  A digital image will be taken using a 3D scanner.  This scanner is harmless and uses light to take pictures of your baby’s head.  This scan is incredibly accurate and can then be used to take precise measurements of the symmetry and shape of the head.

Every case varies, but the typical range of time that cranial remolding helmets are worn by infants is usually between nine and sixteen weeks.

Repositioning therapy, or tummy time, is a treatment modality for babies less than three- to five months of age that are starting to exhibit characteristics of cranial flattening. If a child’s CVAI measurements are of concern at 5 months of age or more, then a cranial remolding helmet is considered.

Costs for cranial remolding helmets vary but are generally in the $3000 range. While costs associated with cranial remolding helmets are not covered by OHIP, most major insurance companies do cover the costs, or a portion of the costs.

PBO Baby clinics do not charge for any helmet adjustments that are required over the course of treatment.

All helmets provided by PBO Group have a lifetime warranty. If at any time you feel unsure about your child in their helmet, please do not hesitate to call us. We are here to help.

We are proud to say that PBO Baby helmets are some of the lightest on the market!  As they are custom-made to fit your child’s head, the weight can vary slightly from helmet to helmet.  A typical helmet weighs just 7 ounces.

No. Some clinics choose to refer to their cranial remolding helmets as “bands,” but the design and principles of cranial remolding helmets and bands are the same.

PBO Baby custom crafts 3D-printed helmets, which are comprised of a hypoallergenic foam liner with a plastic shell. A soft, removable and washable liner wicks away moisture and helps regulate temperature. We are also one of the few providers who also offers the option of fibreglass helmets. While fibreglass helmets are used less frequently, they continue to be a great solution for some specific situations. Fibreglass helmets are made by hand and offer infinite adjustability and can accommodate thicker levels of padding. These factors make them well suited for more severe or uniquely complicated cases.

We recommend that helmets get removed for bathing and swimming.  Time in the tub or pool can be counted towards your child’s hour off from helmet wear during the day.

Plagiocephaly is the most common cranial anomaly and presents as a parallelogram-shaped head. Plagiocephaly results in either the right or left side of the back of the head being flat. The asymmetries of the head result in varying degrees of mal-alignment of the ears, forehead, eyes, nose, mouth and chin. Children with Plagiocephaly commonly have or are susceptible Torticollis, which is a tightening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Brachycephaly can be divided into two separate categories. Symmetrical Brachycephaly is a disproportionate head shape where the entire back of the head is flat. This results in a head shape that is wider than it is long. Asymmetrical Brachycephaly is an asymmetrical head shape that is a combination of Plagiocephaly and Brachycephaly. Both categories are a result of prolonged positions on the baby’s back within the early years of development. Prolonged pressure on the back of the head causes the head to grow into areas that are not under the contact of the foreign object (i.e. car seat). This results in the head growing upwards, outwards and sometimes forward.

Scaphocephaly is the least common of the cranial anomalies and results in a head shape that is very narrow and long. It is commonly seen when the child has what is called Craniosynostosis, which is a premature fusion of the cranial sutures. Craniosynostosis needs to be ruled out prior to helmet therapy by your medical physician.

Torticollis is a condition where the sternocleidomastoid muscle (a muscle on the side of the neck) is tight. This inhibits the child’s ability to turn in the opposite direction. Eighty to ninety percent of children with Torticollis will develop varying degrees of Plagiocephaly. Therefore, it is important to communicate with your family doctor if you notice that your child has a tendency to tilt their head to one side or is unable to turn their head to one side. Stretching and passive ROM are the forms of treatment for Torticollis, which can be provided by a physiotherapist or chiropractor trained in pediatrics. By treating Torticollis at an early age, the chance of the child’s Plagiocephaly developing or progressing will be decreased.