Hip Abduction Helpful Hints

Several months ago Melody's doctor prescribed the "pavlik harness" for Melody's unstable hip and we've since moved up to the "rhino cruiser." Having a child in a hip abduction brace is a challenging adventure. One of my biggest frustrations has been the lack of help given when we left the doctor. I have had to come home and figure things out. The internet has been the greatest source of help when a few Moms have shared their tips.



So, to add to the motherly advice in cyberspace, here is a list of tips I've complied:



1) The week your child is in a new brace will be difficult. There are the emotional adjustments as well as the practical ones, like figuring out a whole new wardrobe. Give yourself time to adjust.



2) Once you've adjusted, what seemed overwhelming will soon become routine.



3) No matter how routine dealing with the brace becomes, there will be difficult and emotional moments. It just isn't easy or "normal." Ever.



4) Baby Gear is another difficulty. Finding things that accomodate your child's legs sticking straight out is difficult. Here are some of the things we've found that work:

- Macleran Techno XLR - I love this stroller and it accomodates Melody's brace perfectly. I really can't say enough good things about this one.

- High Chair - Chicco - the only one we could find without sides. The arms go up and down, so I put her in and then lower the arms over her legs. It works very well.

- Car seats have been our nemisis. We are using the Eddie Bauer Deluxe 3-in-1. It accomodates Melody's legs and is rear facing as well as converts to forward facing and then a booster. Those are really the only good points I have found so far. It was less expensive than other options and was available immediately when we needed it, so that is what we have been using.



5) Leg warmers - they are easily obtained on ebay for $2-4/pair. The are wonderful with the Pavlik harness and I could change diapers without having to remove the harness.

6) The rhino cruiser makes Melody very hot so we've been dealing with heat rash and eczema. I've found a light pair of leg warmers and a onesie are about all she can comforably wear. I leave off her socks and shoes as it allows her to stay cooler.

I'm sure this is not the last post, but those are my tips for now.

Pavlik Update

It has now been 12 days since Melody began wearing the Pavlik. Overall, she seems to be handling it pretty well. She is sleeping fine and is still able to sleep on her belly. I really haven't noticed it bothering her at all and she doesn't seem to fuss when I put it back on after having had it off.

I have been able to come up with clothing options that seem to work. I put on a onesie and baby leg warmers under the harness. After putting the harness on, I put something over the top. Dresses that are a little longer and have a wide skirt work well. Also, sweaters, jackets or longer tops. The kind that go over leggings seem to work well. I usually put a bib over everything to minimize the times I need to wash the harness. With a onesie and leg warmers on I can change her diaper without having to remove the harness every time. That is especially helpful at night.

Once a day I take the Pavlik off and change Melody and let her wiggle. Sometimes she gets a bath and that is when I can wash the harness. I can put her in her exersaucer to play and a couple things like that that she can't do in the harness.

March 4th Melody has a follow-up ultrasound of her hip to see if the Pavlik is helping. At that point in time we'll see if it is making a difference. So, we'll be staying this course until then and probably for a long time after that if this is working.

I have found my back hurting a lot since Melody's new equipment arrived. I finally figured out that in order to pick her up and turn her I have to hold her away from my body as her legs stick out so much. That is what seems to be causing me pain. So, I'm learning new ways to pick her up. I have also ordered a new carrier for her that will hopefully be easier on my back. Since we are facing many more months and perhaps years of carrying, it seems like a necessary purchase.

Now I need to shop for more leg warmers and I'm trying not to be sad about all the cute shoes, pants, and sleepers that she'll probably outgrow before she can wear. Such is the life with a Pavlik.

Doing the Pavlik

Today Melody received her Pavlik hip harness, AKA The Rhino Kicker. It is for her hip dysplasia (dislocated hip.) It is basically is a bunch of velcro straps. It is softer and more flexible than I anticipated and Melody seems to be doing okay with it. She has been fussy today, but her nap schedule has been all off and she just wants to sleep. She seems to be sleeping fine with it on, so that is a blessing.

Mommy, however, is very frustrated with the whole harness. The man at Orthodics put it on Melody, but that was about it. I asked the few questions I knew to ask at the time, and he either didn't really know the answer or made it seem easier than it is. He also told me to put the harness on the complete opposite from the written instructions he sent home with me. I think the harness is actually not around Melody's feet properly in these pictures because of that.

However, in a few days we'll work all the bugs out and be old pros at this contraption. Changing her diaper is a major ordeal as it is over her clothing. I found cute little leg warmers today and hopefully I'll be able to show you some adorable fashion options we've discovered in the next few days. If she could just wear a onesie, we'd be fine, but it is far too cold for that right now. I'll follow up with Orthopedics tomorrow as they apparently are the ones who really tell you how to use the brace, not Orthodics. Melody will have a hip ultrasound in 6 weeks to see how this whole thing is working.

We also need to discover a solution for spitting up on the pavlik. The name sounds like something you should ralph on, so Melody did. Numerous times. It will be a very stinky Rhino soon. I can wash it, but am also supposed to keep her in it 23 hours a day, so that will be a trick. The Orthopedics said 23 hours. The man at Orthodics said aim for 20 hours a day. Another discrepency. She will have to wear it for "months" or "a year" have been the answers I have received so far. I figure the more faithful we can be with having her wear it, hopefully the shorter the duration will be over all.

Pray for our Pavlik adjustments.