Baby put in hip harness

[ArcticMumkey]

My 3mo DD has been put in a pelvic harness for the next 12 weeks due to her left hip not sitting far enough in the sockett (she was breech) I'm feeling very upset at the thought of this long 12 weeks ahead and am looking for any tips/experiences of living with the harness? What kind of clothes work best etc.

Thanks

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

Our DD had one for 12 weeks too. At the time it seemed that 12 weeks would last forever, but it honestly went in a flash, and she's absolutely fine now :)

In terms of hints and tips

• We tended to put DD in dresses (a size up to accommodate the chest strap). Stretchy leggings also worked well (think harem pants style) and ones that had poppers up the inside leg but we didn't use either of these much.
  

• The harness counts as a layer of clothing in terms of heat, and we did find that DD overheated fairly easily at times, so light layers were useful.
  

• We found that Tesco and Primark vests were best as they seemed to have higher legs so didn't interfere with the harness.
  

• it actually makes nappy changes easier once you get used to it (legs stay out of the way!) - just remember to always check you've threaded the 'wings' of the nappy through properly.
  

• don't be afraid to use a wrap/sling. As long as you use a hip-healthy carriers, it's fine (in fact it's really good for them) - DD loved her mei tai!

[Cumberlover76]

Just wanted to add that I totally know how you feel, DD had a Pavlik Harness at 12 weeks too and I was devastated, but, although it may not feel like it now it is such a short time they are in it and you will cope. DD knew nothing else and the results were amazing, she's 4 now and has never had any issues with it and development is perfect.

For the first 6 weeks we were only allowed to bath her at the hospital so they could ensure the harness was on correctly 24 hrs a day which meant a weekly trip, but it is worth it, I promise.

Yes to a sling, we just tended to dress her in standard clothes so long as it was stretchy. Got pretty adept at dressing her with it on. Feel free to PM if you have any questions and for you, I know it hurts the parents but it is the best thing for her and she'll never remember.

[ArcticMumkey]

Thanks for your replies.

cumber I have PMd you

I know it's a minor thing but we go to a baby yoga class, do you think we'll still be able to go?

I feel so annoyed that they could have started her treatment at her last appointment 6 weeks ago but they chose to wait, I've read the harness is less effective the later they wear it?

It can come off for baths so at least I'll get one nice cuddle per day. How long til this all feels normal? I just can't seem to snap out of being so upset

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

Baby yoga should be fine - we did baby massage and sensory classes and, although I had to modify a few minor things, it didn't prevent us doing anything really.

DD went into her harness late (click was picked up at birth after my insistence on a full check but still had to chase hard for the harness). I read the same things as you but we had no problems and our wonderful consultant reassured us that the problems with delayed treatment are usually referring to much longer delays - ie issue not picked up until baby is crawling/walking.

DD was used to the harness really quickly (a day I think). It took me a little longer as I was a bit silly, getting upset about not having my soft, snuggly baby any more as hugs etc felt different (we couldn't remove harness at all). It took a few days for me to kick myself in the bum and realise that it was actually fine, after that, we didn't look back .

If you haven't already, you might find www.steps-charity.org.uk/ useful. Also happy to pm if it would help!

[Cumberlover76]

i don't think i can send photos in a pm so here's a could of my tiny dd showing how i dressed her.

[ArcticMumkey]

Needmoresleep that's exactly how I've felt, she's all stiff and plasticy instead of soft and snuggly and it's taking some time to adapt to. I wish we had a lovely consultant, ours is a prize knob with a crap bedside manner and an insistence on addressing me as 'Mum' which really grated yesterday!

cumber thanks for the pics and your PMs. I've been shopping today and got her some sleepsuits and short legged rompers in the next size up. She already has lots of dresses so we should be set. Managed to negotiate a dirty nappy with no problems.

I tried to get a vest on without undoing the straps but gave up and took one arm out at a time. She's allowed to remove it for baths so I figured 20 seconds wouldn't hurt?

I've been able to get her in the sling still which I'm so pleased about!

[Cumberlover76]

Glad you are getting by, you are sounding more positive. My consultant had crap manner too and just told me and that was that. You'd think they'd learn to be a bit more gentle on new mums!

It will certainly be a little easier if you can remove a little for clothes. Short legged rompers and long socks are good. I always thought it was a shame her clothes didn't look 'right'. You should see her now though, it was all so worth it.

[ArcticMumkey]

I know what you mean about the clothes, she's had a lovely dress on today but looks very 'wide' ! Did it affect your DDs development in terms of crawling or rolling over?

[ArcticMumkey]

DD has been sent a follow up appointment for 2 weeks time. Surprised me a bit as I thought they'd just see us after 6. How often did yours get checked?

[NeedMoreSleepOrSugar]

DD was rolling over at 5 months, I think she crawled around 10 months or so, so perfectly normal timescales. She did do a weird version of commando crawling before progressing on to 'normal' crawling, not sure if that was due to the harness or not, but she's well on her feet now, walking, running and climbing everywhere I'd rather she didn't, just like any toddler

We had appointments with the hospital roughly every two weeks or so to have the harness adjusted, as they grow so fast at that age. Most of them I arranged ad hoc when needed, as they were just five minutes with a nurse who adjusted the straps and checked that it wasn't rubbing etc. The consultant saw us three times during the treatment (when it went on, half-way point and when it came off) - and follow ups afterwards - so 1 yr and we'll see him again at 2yrs and possibly again at 3 I think before she's signed off entirely.

[ArcticMumkey]

Just on the offchance that those that replied see this or its helpful to others, DD had her harness removed on Tuesday she wore it for 6 weeks full time and 6 weeks for 19 hours per day. It's worked brilliantly but still not fully over the shock of it all! She is absolutely wappy with excitement that it's off, those little legs are kicking none stop.

[dollybird]

Have only just seen this, so glad that she's had the harness removed and seems to have worked. My DS had a harness from 3-6 weeks but it didn't work so he then had surgery (a hip reduction) at age one and was in a plaster cast for four months. He's now 14 and was discharged in March - you wouldn't believe how happy I was that day! It's a tough thing to go through (whatever level of treatment your DC has), but it's worth it xx

[ArcticMumkey]

dolly that must have been a tough 4 months for you all. Pleased it turned out ok in the end. Out of interest was his hip dysplasia caused by being breech or was it other factors?

DD's dysplasia was very borderline and I think she was treated as a 'better safe than sorry' case but I do worry about the future for her! The thought of a spica cast terrifies me.

[dollybird]

Yes, it was pretty hard going, especially as I was 7 months pregnant when he had surgery!

His was a total random case. DD on the other hand was a) breech, b) a girl and c) a sibling and her hips were fine!! The spica is scary when you first see one, and worse when you first see your own baby in one, but you soon get used to it. DS was brilliant in it and didn't let it stop him. He still crawled about, even stood up in it (very scary - I had to follow him all round the house to make sure he didn't topple over!) The third cast was better as it was just on his legs - he could flip over from his back to his front in that one!!