How To Attach Bows To A Cranial Helmet In 5 Minutes (Cute & Easy DIY)

Your baby girl just got her cranial helmet — and if you’re anything like I was, you might be feeling a mix of emotions. I remember being so nervous to take Lily out in public. I worried people would stare, or worse, judge us like something was “wrong” with her.

But here’s what I quickly learned: this helmet is helping her, and it doesn’t have to feel clinical or boring. In fact, it can be just as much a part of her personality as the outfits she wears every day.

That’s why I started decorating Lily’s helmet with bows — and honestly, it changed everything. Instead of people whispering, they’d stop us to say how cute she looked. Even better, Lily’s bows matched her outfits, so every day felt like a mini fashion show.

And the best part? Attaching bows to a cranial helmet is super easy, costs less than $10, and takes just 5 minutes. Let me show you exactly how to do it.

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Table of Contents

The Helmet Decoration Dilemma

When Lily first got her DocBand, I felt torn. On one hand, I wanted her helmet to stay simple and clean. On the other, I couldn’t shake the worry that people would stare or judge — and I wanted her to feel just as adorable as she did without it.

That’s when the idea of bows clicked. If I could find a way to make them interchangeable, Lily’s helmet could match her outfits, make photos fun, and most importantly, shift people’s attention from the medical device to her personality.

adding bow to cranial helmet example with yellow bow

Materials You Actually Need (and What to Skip)

Some parents use vinyl wraps or paint for cranial helmet decoration ideas, but honestly, bows are the easiest DIY cranial helmet accessories. All you need are three simple things:

Self-adhesive fastener dots (Velcro or “hook and loop” style)
Bows with flat alligator clips
Your baby’s cranial helmet (works for DocBand, Starband, or other brands)

That’s it. Less than $10 and you’re set.

What to Skip (Learn From My Mistakes)

When I first started, I tried a few other methods — and learned the hard way:

Glue dots: too weak, they popped right off.
Craft glue: messy, didn’t hold, and I worried about fumes.