These devices are worn for most of the day to mold the skull's shape back to normal. The DOC band and molding helmets work best if used during your child's first year of life. For more information on the DOC band, please visit the manufacture's web site, Cranial Technologies , where they have before and after pictures, a frequently asked question list and a list of clinics that are using the DOC band. Some children with congenital torticollis , a condition in which the muscles of one side of the neck are tight and keep the head turned to that side, are prone to get a flat head. In addition to the treatments described above, they may also benefit from physical therapy.
Premature babies are also more prone to getting a flat head from positional molding of their skull.
It is important to remember that having a flat head caused by a positional deformity is a cosmetic problem, and the brain continues to grow normally. Your child will not have any disabilities from this condition and if treatment is begun early, usually before six months of age, the results will be very good, with a normal or near-normal head shape. All rights reserved. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.