Hip Dysplasia affects about 10 in every 1,000 babies born every year. This statistic may seem insignificant to some, but for parents faced with this issue, it can present significant angst, stress and challenges.
Changing your baby's nappy, dressing and clothing your baby, swaddling, breastfeeding and transporting your baby are all challenges we face, but babies with hip dysplasia often have the added disadvantage of a hip brace.
Hip Babes is here to help and offer some ideas which may help you and your baby settle into this unfamiliar territory. Hip Dysplasia appears to present itself more frequently in girls rather than boys so don't take offense that we've used the term 'her'! The ideas included below are based on experience using a Dennis Browne bar. They are for your information only, and are by no means a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. Hip Babes is not to be responsible for any harm or injury resulting from interpretations of the information herein. Please consult your baby's medical specialist for any related queries.
Nappy Changing
The good news is that nappy changing can be quite easy when you get hang of it.
1) Ensure the bar is positioned towards you.
2) Keep the new clean nappy closed/sealed and slip it through bar behind your baby's back, then open up the nappy tabs.
3) Press the front of the nappy down and position tabs comfortably around your baby's waist. In fact once you get used to it, it becomes easier and only takes a couple of minute or less, especially as your baby can't kick her legs about!
4) Make sure with every nappy change you give your baby's bottom AND the bar a good wipe clean. If you get any poo on the brace cuff or brace cuff covers, clean the cuffs and change the cuff covers immediately.
Brace & Cuffs
To prevent chafing, you will need cuff-covers over the cuffs of the brace. Old adult socks are usually the best. You may opt for some fun or silly designs such as spots, stripes or cartoons! Alternatively you can also use our legwarmers underneath the cuffs. Simply put them onto baby's thighs inside out and then fold over the cuffs of the brace. This is perfect for the hotter climates and your baby still looks very funky!
1) All you need to do is cut the foot off the sock so you are left with a tube with one elasticated end.
2) Then turn them inside out, put your baby's legs through it so its right up his/her thigh, then you place the brace over the sock, tighten the cuffs and straps.
3) Once your baby is all strapped/braced up, then fold over the sock-end without the elastic first and THEN fold over the elasticated end of the sock. This will help keep the cuff covers in place.
The cuff covers should be changed every day and wipe clean cuffs with warm soapy water. Make sure they are dry before putting back on your baby. Ensure they are not too tight or too loose. You should be able to squeeze a finger in between cuff and your baby's leg. If your baby's skin is looking red, dry or sore, the cuffs maybe too tight. Use a good reputable baby moisturizer and check with your baby's specialist on the brace tightness.
Swaddling/Sleeping
If you have found that swaddling works for your baby and wish to continue this, try using a muslim wrap that does not stretch. The only difference in swaddling a hip brace baby is that you cannot swaddle the lower half of their body. You can still use the Velcro swaddles but keep your baby's legs outside the bottom half.
1) Fold the wrap in a triangle, place the baby in the centre of the triangle with pointed end at their feet.
2) Put one arm down the side of their body and fold one corner over and tuck that corner end under baby's body, then place the other arm down and do the same, tucking the second corner end underneath them.
3) The final point of the triangle can either be left untucked or you can tuck it inbetween their legs into one of the corner folds. They will look like a mini sumo wrestler but if you have swaddled their top part of their body quite tightly, you will still get the same effect, i.e. no flailing arms and hopefully a restful sleep!
It is also recommended that hip brace babies sleep on their backs with a small rolled-up towel or blanket under their legs so their legs are not hanging in mid-air. Use an extra blanket over the top of your baby too (especially in winter) so that her legs don't get cold. If you are unsure about sleep positioning, consult your baby's specialist.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can feel a little awkward at first but one of the most comfortable positions is the typical 'madonna' position but with your baby facing more sideways to your body. Your baby's head still rests on your elbow but your other arm is positioned between your baby's legs. Extra cushions or a breastfeeding pillow may also come in handy.
Slings & Baby Carriers
Your baby is unlikely to be comfortable (as are you) if she is being transported in a sling and she is wearing a hip brace. Hip Babes found that baby carriers with a wide seat useful - your baby should always be positioned properly and have ample room for her legs and brace, as not to cut off her circulation!
Car Capsules
You may find as your baby grows, her hip brace will also have to be adjusted so her legs will be spread further out. Hiring a capsule from your local council is probably the best and affordable option. Once your baby is strapped into her capsule, place a blanket or small towel under her buttocks and legs for extra cushioning. Bear this in mind especially for long car journeys and imagine how you might feel if strapped in a capsule with a brace and with little padding. Have a break at a rest-stop whenever possible so your baby can also have a break from being in the same position. Hip Babes found that they could not use the car capsule up to the recommended age i.e. 6 months and had to change to a suitable baby car seat.
Car Seats
If you have a baby car seat, you may also need to look into getting a hip spica buckle. Your baby's specialist or occupational therapist may be able to provide one for you. Consider car seats with good width and fit for a hip brace baby.
Pram Travel
As with the car capsule, a hip brace baby may grow out of a pram or bassinet sooner than other babies because of the width of the brace and position of her legs. Hip Babes used similar precautions with pram travel as car travel, i.e. extra cushioning, baby has break from sitting in pram etc.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is an important activity for hip brace babies especially as are positioned on their backs most of the time. If your baby is lucky enough to have an hour or two break each day from the brace i.e. brace off time, then this would be a good time to have your baby's tummy time. Perhaps before or after her bath. It is possible to do tummy time in the brace too, but you should refer to your baby's specialist for the best positioning and how often tummy time is required.
Clothing
Clothing options often cause some anxiety for parents of hip brace babies. There are so few options available. Dresses or skirts suffice in the summer but what about the rest of the year? Tights, jeans, leggings and most body suits or pants don't fit and may look ridiculous if you put your baby in a few sizes bigger! Hip Babes recommends our Huggalug leg warmers (designed to fit chubby legs and babies in a hip brace). For winter wear, why not try our legwarmers teamed with Hip Babes pants, dresses or skirts? For more details see our Product pages. Bonds Roomies pants are also a good choice for this type of brace.
5% of all our legwarmer sales will go to the Royal Children's Hospital, so a great reason to buy from the Hip Babes site.
For more information, please visit Kid's Health Fact Sheets at The Royal Children's Hospital site.
Dennis Browne Bar Fact Sheet: http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/factsheets.cfm?doc_id=10052
NOTICE: The information included on Hip Babes website is for your information only, and is by no means a substitute for the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. It refers to babies in a Dennis Browne Bar, more commonly used at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Hip Babes is not to be responsible for any harm or injury resulting from interpretations of the information herein. Please refer to your baby's specialist if you are in any doubt.
