James and Rachel Hunter couldn’t have been happier when their twin boys were born by Caesarean section, five weeks premature, but alive and well.

Although Rachel’s waters had broken, four days later identical twins Daniel and Callum had failed to make an appearance, so Mum underwent an emergency Caesarean.

Daniel was first to be born and then Callum, but closer inspection of the beautiful boys revealed that Daniel’s head was substantially wider than his brother’s and very flat at the back. Naturally, the couple, from Enderby in Leicester, were greatly concerned.

Says Mum: “It was an anxious time, but we noticed from birth that Daniel’s head was very flat at the back. Our GP and consultant said it was nothing to worry about, that it was cosmetic, but we didn’t want Daniel to look at his brother when he was older and wonder why his head was not the same.”

Rachel had seen a magazine article about plagiocephaly – also known as flat head syndrome – which can occur when the soft skull is pushed out of shape because of the way a baby lies in or out of the womb. The condition is more prevalent in twins and multiple births.

Concerned that her son may have the condition, she accessed the Technology In Motion website on the internet to find information about STARband™, a treatment which uses a specially-fitted band or helmet to enable the baby’s head to be gradually re-shaped as it grows.

The technology has enabled over 1000 babies to achieve normal, rounded heads after just a few months of use. Rachel sent the centre pictures of Daniel and they confirmed her suspicion, slight plagiocephaly but more pronounced brachiocephaly.

After an initial consultation at the Technology in Motion centre in Leeds, the couple were convinced of the benefits of the STARband™ treatment, and Daniel was fitted with his helmet two months ago.

Already his skull has moved back into position by 9mm, which is about half of what the treatment is expected to achieve.

“Daniel is such a lovely, happy and placid little boy,” says Rachel, a teacher. “I wouldn’t say he enjoys wearing the helmet, but it’s certainly working. He’s supposed to wear it for 23 hours a day.”

The treatment has cost the family almost £2,000 because it is not available on the NHS at present.

Says Rachel: “The treatment is considered cosmetic rather than necessary for the development of the child, so that’s why we have to pay for it. My argument is that people have their ears pinned back on the NHS, so why is this any different?

“However, we are delighted with the results and if we help more people by publicising Daniel’s case then so be it. As identical twins it was important for us that the boys looked the same. It wouldn’t have been fair on Daniel to look different to his brother.”