Sleep Tips for Babies in a Helmet
A baby in a helmet is quite adorable! Although I’m a little biased because my little guy had a helmet and I’d think he was adorable no matter what. Even though he was a little cutie, the whole helmet process came with some things to consider – like sleep!
In this post on helmets and sleep, we’ll cover:
Why babies need helmets
How a helmet works
How long and how often do babies wear their helmets
Are babies comfortable in their helmets
Can a baby sleep with their helmet (spoiler alert: yes, they can!)
Will a baby’s sleep be affected by their helmet
Navigating naps and traveling to appointments
Why do some babies need a helmet?
If you’re not familiar with helmets for babies you may be wondering what on earth I’m talking about? Are we talking about a baby riding a bike with a bicycle helmet? No, no! I’ll be honest, before my little guy, I wasn’t totally sure what helmets were for either.
Helmets, or cranial orthotics, are used to treat babies with plagiocephaly.
Plagiocephaly is a flat spot on the head (side or back of the head). Differences may be seen in head shape, facial structure, alignment/asymmetry, etc. There is position and non-positional plagiocephaly.
How does a helmet work?
The intention of the helmet is to place gentle pressure to reshape the head. A helmet would be prescribed based on the severity of plagiocephaly, a baby’s age, and considering if other interventions have been unsuccessful.
Helmets are typically a hard plastic exterior with a softer, styrofoam-like material inside. The inside material gets adjusted by gradually “shaving off” different spots (please, leave this to the professionals) throughout treatment to continue to reshape the baby’s head.
How long does a baby wear their helmet?
This depends completely on each baby’s progress in the helmet. Typically, a baby is seeing their treating healthcare professional weekly or bi-weekly for adjustments. They will assess progress (which may include some fancy images that make for some really adorable pictures) to see when the baby no longer needs the helmet! A helmet will be worn for about 6-16 weeks, although sometimes a second helmet is recommended.
When does a baby take their helmet off?
Most babies will wear their helmet for 23 hours a day, unless their healthcare provider says otherwise. That one hour of the day without the helmet is usually when your little one is getting a bath. And, that’s the perfect time to clean the helmet. (They can get a little stinky. “Pro” tip: Clean the helmet as advised and place it in the sun. Sunlight helps get rid of the stink.)
Does the helmet hurt?
During your baby’s initial appointment to get their helmet, the healthcare provider should make sure the helmet fits properly. They will also give you guidance on how to check that the helmet fits properly over the first few days of wearing it. Ask all the questions to make sure you know what to keep an eye out for! If you have any concerns, definitely follow up with your healthcare provider, too. That all being said, if your baby’s helmet is adjusted properly, it should not hurt them!!
Can my baby sleep with their helmet on?
If you’re beginning your helmet journey, rest assured that your baby will probably adjust fine to wearing their helmet. And, yes, your baby can sleep with a helmet! (Of course, you will ALWAYS want to follow your baby’s healthcare provider recommendations if they recommend that your baby does not sleep in their helmet.)
Can my baby sleep on their back with their helmet?
Yes! Even if your baby has a helmet, it is still recommended for safe sleep that you place your baby on their back to sleep. If your baby rolls themselves to their tummy, also fine! (Here’s our Safe Sleep blog post for more on that!) Really, wearing a helmet shouldn’t affect your baby’s sleep positioning.
Will my baby’s sleep be affected?
With any changes, there’s always a possibility that sleep can be affected. If your baby’s helmet fits well, any sleep interruptions should be short-lived. Some things that help when it comes to sleep with a helmet:
Make sure the room is cool. Baby’s head can get a little hot in the helmet, so keeping the room cool can help avoid any discomfort from a sweaty head.
Follow sleep routines and schedules that work for your baby. A well-rested baby is more likely to be a happy baby!
If possible, set a good sleep foundation before your baby gets their helmet.
You can work on independent sleep while your baby has a helmet!
If your feeling like the helmet IS impacting your baby’s sleep for longer than a few adjustment days, take it off and chat with your healthcare provider.
Traveling to appointments and naps
I would say the hardest part of our journey with my little one’s helmet was traveling to his weekly appointments. And, we were on the lucky side. We only had to travel about 45 minutes to an hour to get to his appointments. Some people travel HOURS to their weekly or bi-weekly appointments. When it came to scheduling appointments, I always tried to schedule them so that he would hopefully take his first or second nap on the way. I knew that it would be a short nap if it happened, and usually he would snooze on the way home too. It definitely made for some tricky days, but I just kept an eye on his total wake time and adjusted what I could. Sometimes that meant he snuck in an extra contact nap when we got back home. Sometimes that meant we had some overtired days with early bedtimes or rough nights. I did my best to manage my expectations and make things work the best we could!
If you are starting your helmet journey or in the thick of it, my advice is to do the best you can to work naps around those frequent appointments! If your child’s wake times and travel times allow for it, you can always plan for a solid morning nap at home and head to the appointment after that. Do what works for you and know that it will all work out. If you are feeling lost with how to navigate sleep and a helmet, let’s chat and see how I can help you through this chapter!
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided is not medical advice. Reliance on the advice is solely at your own risk. The advice is for informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended nor is implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or the health and welfare of your child, and before following the advice or using the techniques offered in this consultation. In no event will Sarah Mechling and Heaven Sent Sleep be liable to you for any claims, losses, injury or damages as a result of reliance on the information provided. While all attempts have been made to verify information provided, Sarah Mechling and Heaven Sent Sleep does not assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein. Readers use any advice at their own risk.
