Do you have a sweet baby with cranial asymmetry, such as plagiocephaly or brachycephaly? There’s a simple way to help your baby’s head shape!

Sprout3D™ is Surestep’s new cranial remolding orthosis that changes head shapes fast, and it’ll keep your baby comfortable the whole time.

If you just want an overview, check out our first blog post about Sprout3D. But if you have specific questions, check out our FAQs below for parents.

What is a cranial remolding orthosis (cranial helmet), and how does it work?

CRO stands for “cranial remolding orthosis” and is more commonly called a cranial helmet. It’s an orthotic device that:

1. Gives a gentle barrier to growth on some areas of the head, slowing growth there
2. Gives space on other areas of the head for more growth

The inner surface of the helmet passively guides skull growth while keeping your baby comfortable. National cranial specialists developed Sprout3D by combining 10,000 data points and decades of clinical experience, leading to design breakthroughs that help ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

How long will my baby need to wear the helmet?

While the exact treatment length depends on age and head shape, cranial remolding treatment can last approximately 3–4 months. Talk to your orthotist about a specific estimated timeline for your baby.

Will insurance cover the cost of Sprout3D?

Cranial helmets are a covered benefit under many insurance plans. We recommend talking to your clinical care provider to learn more about insurance options.

How many hours per day should my baby wear the helmet?

Your orthotist will give you a wear schedule that gradually increases by one hour at a time. Eventually, it’s 23 hours per day, with one hour off for bath time.

Why so much? Because no one can predict head growth. Your baby’s head might grow more at noon or midnight or 3 a.m. To make sure Sprout3D guides that growth, 23 hours a day gives the best results.

Does a cranial helmet cause headaches or pain?

Not at all! Sprout3D doesn’t put any pressure on your baby’s head that would cause headaches.

It doesn’t work like dental braces, which push on teeth to move them.

Instead, a cranial helmet guides the early growth of your baby’s head. It’s like a fence that guides a young vine in a new direction—without pressure.

Why does the helmet have a hinge opening?

The hinge helps both parents and babies a lot! The easy-to-use latch system with the single side hinge opening allows parents to use one hand to take the helmet on and off with ease.

With the hinge, you can open it, gently place it around the head, and close it—all with one hand!

Why is this device 3D printed instead of being handmade?

At Surestep, we have decades of experience in traditional orthotics manufacturing. But for this product, we decided 3D printing would deliver the best results. It let us put in new features, including a:

• First-of-its-kind latch and hinge system
• Choice of new trim lines to keep your baby’s head cool
• Rigid design that leads to a snug fit and effective treatment

Your orthotist will take a 3D scan of your baby’s head. 3D printing takes that scan and translates it precisely into a final product using our top-of-the-line equipment.

A “rigid” helmet design helps?

3D printing lets us make Sprout3D more rigid, or less flexible. Does that sound bad? It’s actually a great thing! Why?

1. Treatment Effectiveness: Rigid materials let us control exactly where the helmet touches the head. The helmet rests on the most important areas for effectiveness and speed of treatment.
2. Trim Lines: Rigidity gives the helmet strength for unique trim lines, which ventilate and cool the head.
3. Easy-to-Use Hinge: The rigid plastic is why we’re now able to make helmets in two parts and connect them with a hinge, which makes parents’ jobs easier.

Does wearing a cranial helmet cause skin irritation?

We designed Sprout3D to avoid skin irritation. The precise, snug fit helps keep the helmet in place. Since it doesn’t slip or rotate on the head, it prevents friction that would irritate the skin.

If skin irritation does happen, it’s usually because of naturally sensitive skin. You can easily manage it by asking your orthotist to adjust the helmet fit slightly or applying an ointment on your baby’s skin, such as Aquaphor.

How do I explain Sprout3D to my friends and/or family?

It’s easy to feel self-conscious about medical devices, but they’re very common today! Here are a few tips to use when asked about it:

1. Say something like, “It’s a passive device that guides natural growth, without any pressure. It’s comfortable. And treatment will be done in only a few months.”
2. Remember it’s more common today for kids to get cranial services for genetic, environmental, and other reasons.
3. Pick out a vibrant color that looks good to you! Paired with our unique asymmetrical trim lines, parents have told us they enjoy showing off their baby’s cool-looking helmet.

What are the cut-out shapes in the top of the helmet?

We offer unique trim lines at the top of Sprout3D for different cranial conditions. These help during head reshaping, plus they allow heat to escape, keeping your baby cooler and more comfortable.

Plagiocephaly Trim Line

In plagiocephaly, the skull is asymmetrical left-to-right, like a parallelogram. So, the plagiocephaly trim line helps with our goal of guiding the two sides of the head into alignment.

Brachycephaly Trim Line

In brachycephaly, the skull is flattened in the back and bulged on the sides, as well as being a little tall. So, this trim line helps with our goals: guiding the back of the head to round out naturally, while gently bringing the sides and top of the head down.

Find out More About Sprout3D

Check out our recent blog post to learn more about Sprout3D’s unique features, plagiocephaly and brachycephaly, and more.

Check with your pediatrician for a specific diagnosis, and then get a prescription for a CRO. Next, you’ll go to an orthotist. If you need a list of Surestep orthotists in your area, click here.

Find out what Sprout3D can do for your baby and you