CLAIRE McCready watched her son Robbie's skull "realign" by more than 12mm in just five months, but only after she took it upon herself to ensure provision of a £2000 helmet privately.

CLAIRE McCready watched her son Robbie's skull "realign" by more than 12mm in just five months, but only after she took it upon herself to ensure provision of a £2000 helmet privately.

The 34-year-old mother from Ratho, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, has led a campaign for screening and NHS provision of treatment for plagiocephaly after doctors said the boy, now 22 months old, was cured after wearing the helmet for up to 23 hours a day.

She said: "It wasn't until I spoke to another mother, whose baby was wearing a helmet, that I realised there was a solution to Robbie's problem. We were never told to reposition Robbie, even though we questioned his head shape at nine weeks old with a paediatric doctor.

"Over the months his head shape got worse and worse. Although we continued to raise this with our health visitor and GP there was still no mention of plagiocephaly or repositioning. We were simply told it will fix itself in time' and his hair will grow and cover the deformity'." After using the helmet, she said "the difference in his head shape is truly amazing".

Her campaign for greater recognition of the condition reaches the Scottish Parliament today. She said: "As many as 50% of babies under one year are affected by plagiocephaly.

"We must see a change in attitude within the NHS by giving out vital repositioning advice to new parents."