Sleeping with hip dysplasia harness

[Simian0]

Hi all,

After some advice pls.

3 month old has been a fantastic sleeper since birth and had just started going down for about 11hrs through the night. 3 days ago she was fitted with a hip dysplasia harness. After 2 days of she and I constantly crying we seem to be getting a bit more used to it. The only problem is its really disturbing her sleep. She's on her back and unable to shuffle herself about in the cot which she had been doing. She wakes constantly and cries with gripey-like cries (often accompanied by farts). If I stick my finger in her mouth she drops straight off again. We use a dummy during the day but I've always avoided it at night. Would/do you let your baby have a dummy through the night? Will I be making a rod for my own back?

Also, if you had a baby in a harness does this sound at all familiar? If so, does it just settle down after a while? Have been contemplating calling the hospital as they claimed it shouldn't interrupt her sleep at all, but it clearly is.

[MrsFTHC]

Hi, I dont have any experience with hip dysplasia harnesses but I would probably let her have a dummy at night if it helps your dd settle as I don't think you would be making a rod for your back at this age, when she is more settled you can take it away again. I would also give the hospital a call just to chat through things and put your mind at rest. Good luck to you both!

[RunningOutOfIdeas]

DD2 was in a harness from 16 weeks. The first night was awful. She woke every 20 minutes. I then hunted around the internet for anything I could do. A thin pillow under her feet made a huge difference. If your DD's feet are dangling in the air, as my DD's were, then I can imagine this is really uncomfortable. Once DD's legs were more out to the sides and her feet were flat on the bed, the pillow was no longer needed.

I would allow the dummy. We also realised that DD was in some pain at times. I guess if you are prevented from moving much your muscles can cramp. Nurofen helped.

I hope the harness is not needed for too long. DD was in it for 3 months.

[Bbhappy123]

Hi, my daughter was in a hip spica when she was 3 I put a small cushion under her feet and this seemed to help. There is a charity named Steps that has a forum about children with hip displacia. I used this charity for lots of advice when my daughter was in a cast, there is also a page for buy/equipment to help look after a child with hip displacing.

[Simian0]

Fantastic suggestions guys thank you. Will try the cushion idea for sure.

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

Was just about to post the same advice. We used two pairs of balled up sports socks one under each foot.

Also she will be roasting hot so maybe in this weather no blankets at all?

Top tip for clothes (DD1 was fitted with hers this time of year too and was three months)we got some short dungaree type things called sun suits in age one to one and a half. Her legs were tucked up into the body bit with her feet poking out. She looked a bit triangular but she was able to wear them the following year.

[SneakyBiscuitEater]

playsuit sorry! Like this one www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Jersey-Stripe-Playsuit/LY0608,default,pd.html#q=playsuit

[Simian0]

Thank you SneakyBiscuitEater! That's really sweet. I've been quite unhappy about the clothes situation as I've only recently emptied out Baby Gap and Baby H&M and now hardly any of it fits. Boo. Love the 'looking triangular' description, I'd been thinking the same. A bit like Maggie in The Simpsons when she's in her snow suit!

Glad to report the foot supports have worked! She's been sleeping really well and going back to a sense of normality. Phew.

Such a shame about only being able to bath her once a week when the nurse comes, especially in this weather. Had worked so hard to get her to love baths. Oh well...

[PrincessYoni]

I am so glad. My DD had DDH and slept in an Amby Nest so her feet had contact. She slept well, but the week it came off coincided with the start of bad sleep! Apparently this too is normal as they get used to the harness hence why some NHS trusts recommend weaning babies off it. I went dress-tastic with DD and she fitted nicely in a sleeping bag at night time. I hope your DD is settling well.

[theborrower]

That's good that she's sleeping better now. Was just going to post and say that I don't remember it affecting my DD (wore it from 2-8 weeks old) but then I guess she could barely wriggle at that age! Maybe your DD is just a bit windy?

Re the clothes thing - DD lived in (slightly) big sleepsuits the entire time. But dresses would be good too.

Re the baths - our physio woman advised putting vaseline in her creases above her legs to stop her getting a bit cheesy and prevent the skin peeling, seemed to work a treat.