Talee Helmet Improves Head Shape for Child with Torticollis

“The Talee helmet looks sleek, and it’s made of lightweight, breathable materials so my daughter hardly knows she’s wearing it!” exclaims Katie Thunder, mom to 8-month-old daughter Addison Joan—known as AJ.  

Early in the summer of 2025 Gillette Children’s began using the new Talee cranial remolding orthosis (baby helmet) to help children who have head shape concerns. Some of the first families to use the Talee helmet report they are very pleased with the orthosis.  

According to the Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Seating team, the Talee helmet produces excellent outcomes like Gillette’s older CranioCap design, but the two-stage, 3D-printed design of the Talee allows for more precise control over the growth of the head and provides more ventilation to potentially reduce sweating and skin irritation.

The Talee baby helmet also has a custom iPhone app and clinical software application that allows parents to see changes in their child’s head shape over time. Families can select one of nine colors for their child’s Talee.

“My daughter AJ has a bright bubblegum pink helmet,” Katie says.  

Concerns about the shape of her child’s head 

Katie had concerns about her daughter’s head when she was about two weeks old. “Right away I noticed she was not turning her head to the left. I brought this concern up with my primary pediatrician.”  

AJ was diagnosed with torticollis which happens when a muscle on the side of a baby’s neck, called the sternocleidomastoid, is shortened or tightened. Torticollis is a common diagnosis for newborns.

AJ began to work with a physical therapist and her torticollis improved. “I did notice she still had a flat head,” Katie says. “At our 4-month appointment with our pediatrician we got a referral to Gillette Children’s to help with AJ’s flat head.”  

Plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, occurs when a baby’s head has an uneven or irregular shape caused by external forces. Plagiocephaly is commonly seen with children diagnosed with torticollis because the condition can limit the baby’s ability to turn toward one shoulder and, thus, spend more time laying or putting pressure on one side or area of the head.

Gillette is a leader in treating craniofacial conditions and the experts have experience treating a wide variety of conditions that affect the face and skull. The team brings the latest technology and techniques to minimize the need for surgery and maximize your child’s results.  

The orthotics prosthetics and seating (OPS) team is an important part of the overall craniofacial care at Gillette Children’s. OPS certified orthotists work closely with the craniofacial medical team to design and fit a helmet that is best for each patient.  After the Talee helmet is fitted, the patient is seen by an orthotist every few weeks to monitor progress and make adjustments to the helmet as needed.

During the clinic appointments, children can get their heads scanned and measured by the OPS team while their helmets are being customized, cleaned, and resized to continue their treatment plan.  

The OPS team feels the Talee helmets represent the state of the art in cranial remolding orthosis treatments. According to its website, Talee has quickly become the leading 3D printed cranial remolding orthosis globally for head shape deformities such as plagiocephaly and brachycephaly. Talee baby helmets have been used to successfully treat over 25,000 infants.  

Caring for three children under three

To say Kathryn Cooley is a busy mom is an understatement.  She’s the proud mother to three boys under the age of three.

Her first son, Lucca, was just about 2 years old when she gave birth to his twin brothers, Jack and Thomas.

“I was an experienced mom by the time my twins were born,” Kathryn says. “Thomas was literally a chill, laid-back baby and, unlike his twin brother, he enjoyed just laying around and observing things. I was not too surprised when his primary pediatrician told me we needed to go to Gillette Children’s for a baby helmet appointment.”

Gillette Children’s makes a great first impression

Kathryn and her husband Al were impressed by Gillette from the moment they walked through the doors in May 2025. “The valet parking was wonderful. The intake at the front desk was good, and the people at Gillette were so friendly and helpful,” Kathryn says. “I really had a great first impression.”

Kathryn also appreciates the expertise and patience of the orthotics, prosthetics, and seating team and is particularly grateful to clinical educator, Jenna Jasken. “Jenna walked us through each step of getting a Talee helmet and she explained what she was doing and why she was doing it,” Kathryn recalls.

The Cooley’s picked a blue Talee helmet color for Thomas. “We did that to match his beautiful blue eyes,” Kathryn jokes.

Amazed at the fast head shape progress and easy navigation

Thomas and AJ wear their Talee helmets 23 hours a day. Their mothers are amazed at the progress they’re seeing in their child’s head shape.

Kathryn says overall she’s impressed by the Talee helmet and the care at Gillette Children’s. “In our experience, the Talee baby helmet is a comfortable, breathable option to help Thomas. Plus, it’s very stylish and the entire process at Gillette has been very smooth and organized.”

Katie confirms Kathryn’s impressions and was very pleased at her latest appointment with Jenna and the OPS team.

Thanks to the Talee cranial remolding orthosis, a custom treatment plan from Gillette, and the family’s diligence about consistently wearing the helmet, a recent scan showed AJ’s head shape is now in the normal range. She no longer needs to wear her bright pink helmet.

“I’m very relieved,” Katie says. “I also want other parents who have children diagnosed with a head shape difference to know the process at Gillette is easy to navigate.”

Head shape care close to home

Gillette Children’s is committed to providing care for children who live throughout the region greater Minnesota region and head shape care can take place at various locations to save families time, stress, and travel costs.

Head shape care appointments can take place at several Gillette Children’s locations. In the Twin Cities metro area, follow-up appointments can take place at our St. Paul, Burnsville or Maple Grove clinics. In addition, families in greater Minnesota can receive some follow-up care in several Gillette clinics throughout the area.