Hip Problems - 6 month old

We found out the other day that our daughter has hip problems. Her hips are not displaced, the sockets are just not deep enough so she has to wear a brace for 3 months. I'm feeling pretty gutted about it, the brace looks uncomfortable and I'm worried it will upset my cruisy, happy wee girl. Has anyone else had to deal with this? How did you cope? I'm not sure about whether she will be able to go in her exersaucer/jolly jumper or if she will even fit in her car seat. What will I dress her in! I'd love to hear from anyone else who has been/going through this - thanks

We have just had a harness recommended for our 4 week old who also just has shallow sockets. We're not sure how necessary it is and the Dr didn't answer all our questions. Feeling gutted too! They said there weren't any down sides but it seems to me there are quite a few. Would like to hear from others who have been through this.

Hey Babygiraffe and Koromiko. My wee boy (now 2.3 years old) was diagnosed with Congenital Hip Dysplasia (clicky hips) at birth, confirmed by ultrasound at one week. He had a shallow socket on his right hip. They picked it up easy cos I had the same thing at birth, and he was an undiagnosed breech (hello emergency c-section!) so was high risk for it.

He went into a Pavlik Harness at 6 weeks (long story of incorrectly fitted harness to start with, I'll try not to rant), and wore it til he was 5 months of age. Ask me anything, I'd be happy to help as I found it pretty scary at the time!

Re: what to dress them in - Since Sam is a boy, dresses were not an option but may be for you guys! It was winter, he wore a lot of onesies (long sleeves, no legs), and legwarmers (cheap on Trademe) and knee-high merino socks (Lamingtons, available at the sleepstore). Loose booties fitted over the feet part of the harness. Slept in loose gowns. No pants or all-in-ones fitted really, except big baggy ones!

Re: carseats and prams - we rolled a wrap to put under his bum between his legs iykwim so he fitted ok. We had a normal capsule, it was fine.

General advice: make sure you see someone who has experience! The first Ortho Surgeon we saw fitted the harness incorrectly, as did the second one. I only figured it out because it kept falling off his shoulders, we couldn't figure out how to change the nappy without undoing it, and his legs were able to be stretched out. I googled and compared pics online from how it was fitted on him, and lost the plot at the Hospital!! I work for the hospital, so knew exactly who to complain to to get results. We ended up insisting on seeing someone from out of area (we are in the wairarapa) who was experienced in this area. I also insisted on regular revies (fortnightly) to adjust the harness as they grow so fast when little, and original plan was "see you in three months". Not good enough IMHO as if the harness isn't fitted correctly, it won't work, and if it doesn't work, you are looking at casts, and maybe even surgery! *sigh* rant over....

Also recommend: I cut the legs off a pair of merino pants to make loose socks to have on UNDER the harness (ie you don't take them off) to avoid rubbing of velcro on baby skin. Also got sterile powder (Dr said curash was great) to put in creases to keep them clean and dry so you don't get any sweating / fungus issues.

PS one last thing - if you are thinking of cloth nappies, I would put it off til after the harness comes off. The angle of the legs means you get lots of leaks around the leg-holes (even in 'sposies). Take changes of clothes out with you as you are bound to get a soak-thru-every-layer leak while you're out! Of course having a boy might have made this more of an issue :oS

Edited by tinkabelle

Just remembered your little one is 6 months old so the sizes will be different, we have gone from 0000 to 00 for stretch and grows now that she's in the harness.

I found this group on facebook fantastic. The parents there are a wealth of knowledge.