Cranial helmets, also known as cranial orthoses, are specially designed devices used to treat infants with positional plagiocephaly, a condition where a baby's head develops a flat spot due to prolonged pressure on one area. These helmets are custom-fitted to the child's head and help to gently reshape it by applying even pressure across the skull. Typically worn for several months, cranial helmets are most effective when used during the first year of life, as this is when a baby's skull is still soft and malleable. Regular follow-up appointments with a healthcare provider ensure that the helmet fits properly and that the child's head is responding to treatment.