Hip Dysplasia found at 5 months! So so so devastated....

[LadyLotty]

my DS was breech and we went through the routine 6wk hip scan with him, so i knew to look out for symmetry with leg folds. With my DD (not a breech baby) I went through all the routine check ups. Nothing was spotted by health professionals. I began noticing then uneven folds on her thighs at 4 months and took a few weeks to convince GPs etc for an ultrasound and then they picked up DHH. Ut her in a pavlik harness right away. I was just in complete shock that day, I had my 2yo toddler with me at the time too who was v unsettled so I didn't hear anything the physio told me other than to take her in the harness and get the hell out of the hospital....

Now reality has set in. I'm so dvastated... She is very unsettled all the time, (day 2 now), I've no idea what to do.
Shall I close her nappy a bit looser at the top now that she is always scrunched up? Bt then it is always leaking at the back, what can I do? (she does very big very runny poos - some kind of intolerance probably dairy amongst others)
She has eczema, so I've been putting her vests on, and tights, with the harness over these clothing (she's smothered in prescription cream underneath) Is that ok/right?
Her feet keeps slipping out of the bottom part of the harness (the band), the Velcro is cutting into the back of her knee. Is that normal?
Should she be sitting in a bumbo? Or a bjorn seat? Or a car seat?
Her straps are tight on her shoulders and really uncomfy when shes lying down, so I've put a pillow below her bottom so her legs can be rested and elevated on the pillow when she sleeps, to take some pressure off from her shoulders. Is that right?
Are there any tips from anybody out there?
It is so difficult emotionally dealing with this... And physically exhausting - when I have my toddler with me as well...

oh, and as if all that's not enough, she also has a moderate case of flat head syndrome (brachycephaly) so will be in a helmet in a week's time...
:(

Try this charity steps-charity.org.uk They were extremely helpful for us. (One of our ds's ended up in a hip spica. But he was nearly 4 when his hips dislocated, so not the same as you.)
Also do a search on youtube for pavlik harness, for example. (Am sure you can experiment with other combinations of words.) This has just turned up a whole heap of stuff for me.) There is tons of info out there to help you and you will find your way through it to help your dd.

My child was breach and I have also basically found out today that he also has problem with his hips at 11 months, even after his 6 weeks scan on his hips came back clear, I know exactly how you are feeling and i am worrying about what the doctor will say and advice tomorrow, you are lucky you picked it up so early my son is 11 months which may mean the process may take longer

Sorry you have this to deal with Lotty.
I agree that the message boards at STEPS are very helpful - there will be other poeple dealing with similiar situations, with lots of practical tips.
Do you have a follow up or check up appointment with the Physio? Write down all the questions you have and were too distracted to ask on the day - maybe they will make a new appointment for you if you call and say you are having problems?
Don't worry about the outcome - my nephew had this and is now a strapping very sporty teen.
Also, I am sure your DD will adapt to the harness quickly. My nephew was upset when his harness came off, and he kept waking himself up by kicking his legs in the night! My DS had a full length cast on his leg for months when he was a baby and adapted pretty quickly.
Have they said how long the harness will be on for?

My daughter was in pavlik from 8 weeks to 4 moths, second recommendation to check out steps great forum.

re ques - would close her nappy as normal.

           we were told not to put tights underneath harness - something to do with keeping skin behind knees dry and nothing digging in but assume you wre told was ok, either way cream below vest should be fine just keep an eye on skin behind knees, we were told to keep this dry

     Don't worry about the stirrup part of the foot bit, our nurse told us is a design flaw in the harness and as long as the lower velcro straps are tight enough to ensure the whole leg does not slip down don;t worry

I didn't use a bumbo until harness removed, carseat for short periods used foam to support legs so she fitted. not sure how legal this is though as it changed toe car seat.

 is fine to raise legs on sort of horse shoe shape rolled towels etc to take pressure off shoulders.

we had a follow up 2-3 days after the harness fitted - think official reason was to check on the fit but also think was to ensure we were coping and no new questions- when is your next appt, if not v soon would def contact them, nothing worse than worrying constantly if something right.

Do remember this time, was lucky because was picked up earlier and she fitted better into her pram and car seat but also had a toddler as well, was fortunate because had a lot of support.

You may find this website very helpful www.steps-charity.org.uk

Thanks all for your support!! Very touched. Also thanks especially Hatescolds, for all your tips and advice. I've signed onto steps now, hopefully will get a spare moment to read through the posts on there....

Review appointment with physio is in a weeks time.. I will jot down all my questions as otherwise I will definitely forget to ask! I don't have any support unfortunately so it's goin to be really tough juggling a bouncy sensitive toddler with a bandaged baby... oh dear Never mind.

Thanks again all x