You’ve consulted with the doctors, made the decision to utilize a cranial helmet and you’re all set to go. You go for the final fitting and all is great. So why is your baby bothered, itchy and sweaty? Is there anything that can be done to make the next few months peaceful and more relaxing? Yes, you and your baby will definitely acclimate yourselves to this new challenge. Here are some of the problems and suggestions that will hopefully answer any of the questions and complaints that you have about this new chapter in you and your baby’s life. Some of the issues you may have stem from your baby’s new sleeping patterns. Others may be weather related and some may have to do with the fit of your baby’s cranial helmet.

There are various products and routines that your cranial specialist may or may not have recommended for your baby to you.

1) Care of the Skin

Your baby’s head and helmet must be cleaned regularly. The type of soap and cleaning solutions must be very mild so that it does not irritate your baby’s sensitive skin. It is always wiser to clean the helmet more often rather than less frequently.

A good routine is to remove the helmet at each diaper change and wipe the inside of the helmet with a damp paper towel. Make sure to dry the inside of the helmet thoroughly before replacing it on your baby’s head. (Use of baby wipes is permissible as long as they do not cause discomfort to your baby.) Increased irritation has been observed with fair skinned and redheaded babies. STARband Kids recommends these steps to keep irritation to a minimum.

a) Put 91% alcohol in a spray bottle. Take the helmet off the baby and spray it well. Then scrub it with a paper towel and then dry it well.

b) Use a very mild unscented baby shampoo on your baby’s head. If your baby has dry skin, Aveeno baby shampoo is effective. For oily skin, you can try Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo. When you notice excessive dry skin try using very minute amounts of Aquaphor skin cream. Over the counter Hydrocortisone cream is safe to use on the baby for eczema.

However, some orthotists recommend shampooing the inside of the helmet with shampoo not more than twice a week. Do not use a hair dryer to dry the helmet as the heat can damage the helmet and the sizing. In nice weather try drying the helmet outside and this will keep it fresh. Cleaning the helmet regularly will minimize odor as well. This will be a trial and error exercise for you until you find the right combination of cleaning products and methods that best suit your baby and his/her particular cranial helmet.

2) Care of the Scalp

Imagine wearing a bicycle helmet for twenty-three hours and then removing it? You are bound to want to give your head a big scratch. What about how your baby feels after wearing his/her helmet? Some parents gently rub the baby’s scalp after removing the helmet and during a bath.

The creams we mentioned can be used to relieve mild itching. Ask your doctor if there is excessive redness and itching. Make sure to keep your baby’s fingernails short and your baby cool. Dress him/her comfortably and lightly. Hair should be kept short (usually not a problem with most infants).

Sarah Schultz, a nurse whose son Jonathan was a cranial helmet baby. This is what she said, “I have to say the most stressful part of having a baby in a helmet is temperature regulation. I’m still constantly worried about if he’s too hot or too cold. It’s an experiment on how to dress them, but I did find that it took a good two weeks for him to adjust and not be so hot. We got our helmet in the summer, so he wore short-sleeved onesies in the day and long-sleeved onesies at night with a fan on him”.

3) Care of the Helmet

We can also recommend certain products to use when cleaning the helmet. The helmet should not be washed with baby shampoo but with either rubbing alcohol or Dr. Bonner’s Tea Tree Oil Soap. Some experts caution against using any soap products on the helmet except rubbing alcohol. Following the cleaning of the helmet use a cornstarch based baby powder (not talc) to dry the helmet thoroughly. Remember any shampoo residue must be removed or there can be a skin reaction. This is the reason why many practitioners caution against washing the helmet with baby shampoo. For older babies who play outside and eat food, additional treatment must be afforded to the helmet. Food can get stuck inside the helmet if the baby is at the stage of touching their food.

4) Add On Helmet Inserts

a) ShearBan Adhesive PTFE Sheets are easy to install self-adhesive patches apply directly to footwear, insoles, medical devices, and sports equipment, Not on the skin.

b) Are ultra-thin at only 0.015 inches (0.38mm) thick, shoe fit remains unchanged after installation

c) They are effective with cranial helmets to reduce hair loss and skin irritations.

According to Phil Stevens, of Clinical Orthotic Consultants, ShearBan can help with the positioning of the cranial helmet especially during sleep. Helmets have a tendency to displace in one direction. One baby developed a sinus/tear duct infection and skin rash and the ShearBan was helpful for friction issues. Other practitioners use helmet socks and moleskin which work somewhat.

5) Care of Mom’s Emotions

Sarah Schultz commented that the cranial helmets are much harder on the parents than on the baby. Babies are resilient and adapt fairly easily to different impediments to their freedom. It can be eyeglasses, foot casts or cranial helmets. Sarah felt traumatized because she could not cuddle with her baby normally. Other mothers claim they adapted quite well to cuddling and loving with the cranial helmet. It is also trying for the parent to have to explain to questioning strangers what is wrong with their baby.

“Your baby doesn’t know any different and they are not embarrassed or worried about people’s looks or comments, so I urge you to do the same. It’s mostly kids that would come up to us and ask us why he’s wearing the helmet and you can’t fault the curiosity and innocence of a child. Take this as an opportunity to teach about why your baby is in a helmet! Cute shirts for your baby can also help let the world know how much you love your helmet baby and that it’s all okay! “

Remember there is a hidden benefit to cranial helmets. Protection of your baby’s head from falls and accidents.