The Perfect Noggin can be used without supervision for infants up to age 5 months (adjusted for prematurity) or until your infant begins to roll over to their stomach. After this milestone, usage can be extended to 6 months or older under direct parental supervision. There are two main reasons for these restrictions: effectiveness and safety.
Effectiveness: The contoured head surface of the Perfect Noggin is designed to accommodate a wide range of head sizes (up to 95%) for infants aged 0-5 months. However, it will not reliably fit the head of an infant over 6 months of age. Once an infant begins to roll over, usually at 4-6 months, head flattening typically stops worsening. Any modification to the resting surface becomes less effective after this developmental stage, as the baby will not stay on it long enough for it to have an impact. If your infant starts to roll over while using the Perfect Noggin, the product can still be used up to 6 months of age but only with direct parental supervision. If your child cannot stay on the product during supervised sleep or awake time, consult your pediatrician for other alternatives. For moderate to severe flattening, a well-made molding helmet can be beneficial in correcting any present flattening.
Safety: The Perfect Noggin has been used safely for over 15 years, with safety as the top priority. The platform is made of aerated biocompatible materials, with soft, aerated closed-cell foam layers, and a broad, stable base. The surface is elevated 3-4 inches off the bed with a gentle 3.6-degree slope to accommodate the head recess. An elevated rim helps reduce the likelihood of an infant sliding or scooting off the surface. The Perfect Noggin has no straps or restraints, allowing your infant to move as their motor development permits. There has never been a reported event of an infant being injured from rolling off the Perfect Noggin onto the bed, and it is extremely unlikely that such an event would cause injury. Nevertheless, we recommend not using the Perfect Noggin unsupervised once an infant can roll from back to belly.
The Perfect Noggin should always be used within a crib or bassinet and never be carried or lifted with the infant on it. Always move your infant to a stable and safe surface before relocating or adjusting the Perfect Noggin. If the entire base of the Perfect Noggin does not lay flat on the crib or bassinet surface, it should not be used.
While the Perfect Noggin can be used up to 6 months of age with supervision, the best outcomes are achieved when started within the first two months of life, before significant head flattening begins. In rare cases, an unusual head shape may indicate other disorders, such as craniosynostosis (premature fusion of the cranial sutures), which require medical attention and will not respond to any orthotic intervention, including the Perfect Noggin. Therefore, it is crucial to consult your pediatrician before using any type of orthotic or sleep surface alteration.