Pavlik harness | Mumsnet

smellycat77 · 2022-08-28T22:14:50+00:00

It's looking likely that my baby dd is going to need to wear one of these for hip dysplasia. I am so worried. Has anyone had experience with them? I can't grasp how you're supposed to change and bath babies with it on. Won't it get filthy? How do you dress them in it? Any advice appreciated. I know it's necessary and hospital will advise but it's best to hear from people who've gone through it themselves. Thank you.

Teabreakplease · 28/08/2022 23:39

My daughter (now 5) had a pavlik harness for months when she was born. I had the same questions as you. It was a real shock at the time. We are in Dublin but I think a lot of hospitals here have the same approach as the NHS. We were fitted with the harness and shown by the childrens hospital staff how to do absolutely everything. We went to see a nurse once a week and she gave my daughter a bath and checked and refitted the harness. We called the nurse a couple of times with questions also and she called us back. Nappies were a slight faff but we got used to it. At the time we got babygrows a size bigger but now you can get really lovely specially designed ones in M&S and a few other stores. My daughter was the most jolly of our 3 children. We got her a pink bean bag to sit in which the nurse recommended and we just loved it- she used it until she was 3. So it was a shock to me and I remember my delight when she finished her time in it but it was not at all as bad as I thought it would be. She didnt notice it at all we think. Thinking of you and your dd.

mrsbitaly · 28/08/2022 23:45

Teabreakplease · 28/08/2022 23:39

My daughter (now 5) had a pavlik harness for months when she was born. I had the same questions as you. It was a real shock at the time. We are in Dublin but I think a lot of hospitals here have the same approach as the NHS. We were fitted with the harness and shown by the childrens hospital staff how to do absolutely everything. We went to see a nurse once a week and she gave my daughter a bath and checked and refitted the harness. We called the nurse a couple of times with questions also and she called us back. Nappies were a slight faff but we got used to it. At the time we got babygrows a size bigger but now you can get really lovely specially designed ones in M&S and a few other stores. My daughter was the most jolly of our 3 children. We got her a pink bean bag to sit in which the nurse recommended and we just loved it- she used it until she was 3. So it was a shock to me and I remember my delight when she finished her time in it but it was not at all as bad as I thought it would be. She didnt notice it at all we think. Thinking of you and your dd.

This was exactly what they did with my daughter. She is absolutely fine after the pavlik harness you would never have known she had hip dysplasia she is seen yearly now until she's five.

Original poster

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 07:22

Thank you for replying. The hospital treating her is over 1.5 hours away in the car so I really hope we don't need to go there weekly. Also my dd loves me bathing her at night it's one of the few things that calms her. She's already a highly strung baby and I just think this will be something she dislikes.

OP posts:

JubileeTissues · 29/08/2022 11:01

My advice would be to take it seriously and however tempted you are to have it off for longer than absolutely necessary...just don't.

I used to time my nappy changes and did it in seconds, the harness was on 23.5 hours a day. A friend took it off because she said her baby didn't like it and ended up in cast twice.

FelicityBennett · 29/08/2022 12:26

It does depend on the hospital, my 12 year daughter had a pavlik for 4 months. The hospital we were under allowed a maximum of half an hour with it off per day to allow a bath. They marked the harness so we knew where the straps went to so see what they say .although this was years ago !

NoAprilFool · 29/08/2022 12:33

My now 9 year old DD had one. I remember sobbing all the way home from her appointment to get it fitted.
We were not permitted to take it off, had to do our best to clean her using cotton buds in the creases etc, definitely no baths. We had fortnightly (I think) check ups where a new, clean harness was fitted. I had to relearn everything - how to hold her, feed her, clean her but it all became second nature so quickly.
it worked amazingly. Very best of luck.

Original poster

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 16:51

Thank you for all of the advice. I guess what I'm asking as well is is there any other treatment? We have already had an ultra sound which confirmed one hip isn't right but I'm not sure to what extent. We now have a referral/x ray booked in. Should I be prepared to leave this next appointment with a harness? Or might there be another method of treatment? It doesn't seem like there is anything other than harness or surgery from what I've seen online. I wondered if physio might be an option.

I know it's impossible to say and the hospital will inform us on the day but I guess im trying to prepare myself.

OP posts:

NoAprilFool · 29/08/2022 17:59

I don’t think there is, certainly nothing as effective.
it’s horrible (for you as a parent) but it’s non intrusive and incredibly effective.

pogostickplastique · 29/08/2022 18:27

My gosh I wish this had been a thing when I was young instead of me having hips like broken biscuits in my adult life

AdelaideRo · 29/08/2022 18:32

If a pavlik doesn't sort it the next stage is surgery +/- spica cast.

Much more difficult to manage.

COI: HCP involved in looking after these kids. Have never managed one at home,

Notgotanyidea · 29/08/2022 18:38

Both of my Dd (14 and 11)were in a Pavlik harness for 6 months each. We had weekly hospital visits and no time out of brace allowed. I used to put a change mat on the kitchen work top and sort of hang their head over the sink to wash their hair. You very quickly get used to threading the nappy through the brace. Soft stretchy dresses and long socks were all they wore, but I believe that M and S now has a specific range of clothing now. It seems so awful at first, but neither of my daughters seemed to be bothered by the harness at all. Best of luck. X

TurquoiseDreamCatcher · 29/08/2022 18:42

My DD had one for 3 months from 6 weeks old. I found the nappies fairly easy as a they didn't interfere with the harness, it was a case of learning how to thread the nappy through the harness.

Different trusts have different rules about bathing the baby. For us, we took her to the hospital every 2 weeks for her bath. And the physio would do some exercises with DD and weigh her and record it in the red book.

DD went on to have a spica cast at 8 months old - that was far harder for me than the palvik harness.

I recommend contacting the STEPS charity for support, they also have a group on Facebook.

Please don't get stressed about it, it's such a short period of your baby's life and she won't know any different.

Mumofsend · 29/08/2022 18:43

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 16:51

Thank you for all of the advice. I guess what I'm asking as well is is there any other treatment? We have already had an ultra sound which confirmed one hip isn't right but I'm not sure to what extent. We now have a referral/x ray booked in. Should I be prepared to leave this next appointment with a harness? Or might there be another method of treatment? It doesn't seem like there is anything other than harness or surgery from what I've seen online. I wondered if physio might be an option.

I know it's impossible to say and the hospital will inform us on the day but I guess im trying to prepare myself.

The pavlik harness is the best treatment, if its not done you can look forward to invasive hip operations and horrible casts.

It sounds a lot now bit it's fairly minor and easy to live with. Better now than when older.

Ballcactus · 29/08/2022 18:46

Of all the treatments for hip dysplasia the pavlik is usually the quickest and most effective.

you’ll both adjust very quickly, my daughters 7 now and you’d have no idea. Very grateful it was picked up and treated

Original poster

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 19:29

Thank you. I know we will cope and this is a much better option than surgery but I'm still so worried. I'm also concerned because due to NHS delays she is now nearly 5 months old and I know the harness is less effective the closer they are to 6 months. She should have had it earlier probably. I'm hoping if she does have to have the harness that it will still be effective at this stage as surgery would be just awful.

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babysharksb1tch · 29/08/2022 19:30

Hi OP, my little boy had this. I was devastated and so worried, I absolutely hated the harness. However he's three now, runs and jumps like a loon and I never even think of it.

He wore it 24/7 for eight weeks and wasn't allowed to take it off.

Next now also do a hip dysplasia range. It will be fine.

Original poster

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 19:38

How old were your babies when they had the harness fitted? As I say she is 5 months nearly now. It should have been done sooner.

Will she still be able to go in a car seat? And fit in her Moses basket?

OP posts:

TurquoiseDreamCatcher · 29/08/2022 19:39

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 19:38

How old were your babies when they had the harness fitted? As I say she is 5 months nearly now. It should have been done sooner.

Will she still be able to go in a car seat? And fit in her Moses basket?

My daughter was fine in her car seat and Moses basket. The STEPS charity can provide you with a special car seat if you need one.

Mumofsend · 29/08/2022 20:29

smellycat77 · 29/08/2022 19:38

How old were your babies when they had the harness fitted? As I say she is 5 months nearly now. It should have been done sooner.

Will she still be able to go in a car seat? And fit in her Moses basket?

She must be nearly out of her moses basket at 5 months anyway. It has their legs wider so she may be more comfortable in a cot. Car seat will be fine.

She's on the late side for a harness, the later it is the less likelihood of success.