15 month old in leg cast. Anyone got tips?

[user1496146479]

Hi there,
Just back from A&E, and my 15 month old is now in a cast. It's ankle to knee, but only a 'cast' on the back if that makes sense?
She was practicing her standing yesterday, and was holding onto the couch, and then as she sat down, landed awkwardly!

I know people say they adapt to it, but she is really struggling with getting around now... almost as if she will top herself over trying to bend her leg! Also worried she will loosen the bandage part on the front?
Anyone been through this who has any advice??
Thanks

[Toddlerteaplease]

Is she allowed to weight bare on it? At 15 mints we'd expect her to spend most of the time on buggy rest. And not crawling around. (Paediatric nurse on an orthopaedic ward)

[user1496146479]

No one said!! By the time we got the cast on, she was howling & I felt like howling too. Could try keep her resting (not sure how, she's very active?!) but at night she just travels her cot all night!

[Toddlerteaplease]

At night there isn't much you can do. But in the day, put her in the buggy. It's what we do with toddlers who come off traction. She will learn a way of getting round. Probably crawling. It's not the end of the world if she walks on it. But try not to encourage it too much.

[Toddlerteaplease]

She absolutely will adapt. It's almost certainly worse for you than for her. Children are far more resilient than we think. Just keep anything that can be put down the cast away from her!

[Newbiehere123]

Oh bless, I hope your lo recovers really soon. I have no advice but it must be very difficult at this age as I have a 16 month old very active baby and don't want to imagine that. As the pp's have mentioned, I think loads of time in the buggy and maybe extended buggy walks to distract her would be a good idea.

[Newbiehere123]

Also do you have a infant car seat sthat you could use? I still sometimes use it for my 16 month old DS (it still fits) when he hasn't been for a number 2 as it helps his bowel movements, maybe you could use that sit her down and maybe more screen time just for this period to keep her distracted as well?

[merryhouse]

We spent a lot of time using the high chair . Get some new interesting toys that can be played with in a small space.

He did seem to get used to it after a day or two - in fact when it came off he walked lopsidedly for a short time afterwards. Oh yes, the first time he tried to stand after it came off he lost balance, so be ready for that.

(Ours was a full cast, though - that may make a difference)

[user1496146479]

I had just assumed she would get it used to it. But now I'm not sure now if I should let her crawl etc. She's not actually walking yet, was only just trying out coasting when she fell yesterday!
She's typically very active crawling & commando style crawling.

[user1496146479]

Not sure if she will fit in the infant carrier. She's 14kg as weighed by doctor today. We have it still though, will see. Thanks

[Toddlerteaplease]

Let her crawl, but try and discourage too much weight bearing. She'll get very frustrated if she's stopped from
Moving at all. We have toddlers in full spica plasters and they learn to move about.

[user1496146479]

Thanks all. Got through to hospital yesterday. Said she is okay to crawl etc. She's hasn't walked yet, so it's really just crawling & rolling. It's a small tibia fracture just above ankle.