Hip Dysplasia and the Pavlik Harness: Information and Help

From the moment Eleanor was placed in her Pavlik harness to correct her hip dysplasia my world turned upside down.

Those neat, lovely piles of pre-washes clothes I so carefully folded? Tucked away in hopes she'll still fit in something when she is out of her harness. I can't bear to see them everyday so they are better out of sight and out of mind.

The cosy, lovely infant car seat / bassinet / travel system we picked out? She no longer fits in either piece and screams bloody murder when wedged in.

Our lovely, easy, calm, connected breastfeeding experience? Completely broken with weight-gain struggles and positioning problems at every turn.

The baby massage and swimming classes we signed up for? All cancelled or delayed until she can actually participate.

While things are not what I expected them to look like when I was baby-dreaming whilst pregnant (when are they ever?), they are what they are. I have scoured the internet for help and information and tips, but none of the websites I found had all of the useful information I needed. I found a support group online that was brilliant and helped me through my questions and concerns or just when I needed some reassurance. I thought it might be useful to put everything I had found and learned into one place for mums in the future.

Clothing:

Most of the clothes I had so carefully bought (or received as presents) did not fit over Eleanor's harness. Instead we found the following very useful:

Stretchy dresses, or empire waist dresses, sometimes one size up (sometimes her size), generally fit. They have to flare out enough to not put pressure on the harness. Underneath the dresses she wore onesies, her size but with a onesie extender added on.

 

Big dresses!

Onesie extenders (also known as vest extenders) worked wonders

We bought or were given clothes from two companies:

Silver Lining based in Australia - not cheap, but gorgeous, lovely clothes - especially the trousers that saw a lot of use as the weather got cooler!

Hip-pose - based in the UK and affordable we bought several jammies and onesies that we loved. It was so wonderful to see Eleanor so comfortable, especially at night!

There are many other websites out there but I found them either too expensive or their variety lacking. I also went to a second hand clothes sale and scoured the stalls looking specifically for clothes that were cheap and would fit. I was surprised by how many adorable and useful dresses I found!

 

Bodysuits from Hip-pose

 

The onesie and harem pants that fit over the harness from Silver Lining

Car Seat/Transport

We had originally purchased and IziGo BeSafe infant carseat, but within weeks realized we needed something different. There are two options in the UK for seats, but only one I found affordable. 

MaxiCosi has a terrific program where they rent you a hip-friendly carseat for up to 6 months for 100 quid, 50 of which is returnable when you give back the seat - and it's FREE if you already own a MaxiCosi seat! It is the MaxiCosi Opal HD seat, and we are so grateful Eleanor no longer screams when she is sat in the seat - she can spread out and is so much more comfortable! As of September 2016, this was the number to call to get the form to fill out: 012 8441 314. You also need a note from your doctor to prove your baby has hip dysplasia (my ortho consult wrote one up in a day!). Start to finish it took 6 days to get the seat - really terrific service in my book. 

Elenaor in her MaxiCosi Opal HD seat - so much more room!

Eleanor still doesn't fit in the bassinet and is too small for the normal seat, so instead, I'm baby wearing! We have an ErgoBaby 360 and a ring sling, and she spends a lot of time attached to me. Both are hip friendly and if she's happy I'm happy.

 

Breastfeeding:

This is one that I really struggled with, as after she was placed in the harness she didn't gain weight for two weeks. That made me one stressed out mama! With the help of women on my support site, I learned several new positions and ignored some of the usual breastfeeding advice.

The four positions that worked best for us are:

1) Sitting upright, baby straddling my knee

2) Sitting upright, baby held diagonally across my body one arm supporting the head, the other between the legs

3) Mum reclined, baby diagonal or laying tummy to tummy  (also called biological breastfeeding)

4) Baby on her back and turning her head, mum on her side (used at night!)

It was a tough slog to get back to where she didn't scream at me every time she ate - I was uncomfortable, she was uncomfortable, and we both missed the lovely, easy days where she'd eat for half an hour then fall asleep nursing. Since the harness, she never does that and I miss it but I'm grateful she's at least eating well now. 

Other Tips:

We found that it was easies to flip Ellie over each time we did a diaper change to thread the tabs through the harness. This led to LOTS of tummy time, which means our little one is already a pro!

 

Every night Eleanor got a washcloth bath and a nappy rash cream (we used Bepanthen as recommended by our ortho) between the hips and under the knees to protect the delicate skin. 

Some people recommend socks on the shoulder straps to protect baby's skin. We had the harness on 24/7 so nothing could go under it. This meant her clothes always protected her from the straps.

Our ortho was lovely and attached soft, fleecy wraps around the harsh straps over Eleanor's knees and backs of her legs. This prevented any type of rubbing rash.

Fleece on the straps!

The first 2 days (and for us, 2 weeks!) are the WORST and then it really does get better. Ellie still has panicked moments where she tries to kick her legs and can't, but is coping brilliantly for the most part!

Life and everything else:

Part of watching your baby undergo treatment for anything is just to put on a brave face. I had to cancel classes, mourn the loss of her little adorable chubby legs and tiny toes for weeks on end, and do without sweet bath time and fluffy baby hair. It's not the end of the world, and it could be worse, but none of those thoughts ever helped me. Instead, I dressed her in big dresses, took pictures of her sweet face and just got on with it. We couldn't change our situation and we just have to reach the end of treatment. For us, the four week ultrasound checkup was such a highlight, as we were told her left hip is completely acceptable angles, and the right hip (which was fully dislocated at the start) is improving. In two more weeks we have another check and we are hoping with everything we have to be harness free. I miss the soft cuddles and kicking legs of my newborn, and I am desperate to get them back. Until then, I hope these thoughts help a few other mamas out there struggling with their sweet babies in their harnesses

Settling In: Month 2 with Eleanor

Now two months into mommy-hood, and I have come to several realizations. First, I completely understand what everyone was talking about when they tell you that you'll love this little person more than you know. I somehow manage to love her a little more every day as she grows and changes. Second, I don't find her crying annoying, instead I want to find out the problem and fix it and help her feel good again. I'm happy to walk around at all hours of the day with her in a sling if it soothes her, talk to her non-stop about what I'm doing and seeing if it helps her development, and wake up several times at night to be sure her tiny tummy is filled. I stare in wonder at this tiny person and think: I made this! I'm responsible for this! It's both exhilarating and terrifying. 

For the first few weeks of her life, Eleanor slept nearly all day and all night. It was all I could do not the poke her awake to get some interaction and see those huge baby blues. Around week 5, she was awake a bit more during the day and we started to read books, set a bedtime routine, and take long walks. I originally had ambitions to sign her up for several stimulating classes and engage in weekly lunch dates with friends. And although she can fall asleep in a carseat or stroller, her naps when I'm out and about aren't as deep or restorative as when she gets a good long 3 hour nap on my chest at home and wakes up on her own cheery and smiley. 

And so I've decided these first few months when Eleanor is a newborn and sleeping most of the time, our days are best spent just settling in. She is my first, and never again will I get day-long cuddles where I have nothing that needs doing besides holding her, feeding her and caring for her. I decided to wait on signing up for classes or meet-ups until she has more of a schedule and can stay awake for longer periods of time. We take walks together to get out of the house and run errands occasionally, but mostly we're just savoring these important moments. Every day she grows and changes a little more. Just the other day she squealed with delight at hitting a hanging animal on her bouncer and I soaked it in. Her babbling is getting more varied and I love our "conversations". When awake, her large, saucer like eyes are constantly looking, learning and absorbing the world. It is incredible to watch.

 

Summer babies are the best for taking walks

What brought about this idea of just 'settling in' for me was at her 6 week check Eleanor was struggling to gain weight because of the harness she is in for her hip dysplasia. I was passionate about continuing to breastfeed so a dear friend recommended we just settle in, stay home, and focus 100% on her. I agreed, and we did tons of skin-to-skin as she spent her days snuggling on my chest, feeding in her sleep happy and content and I watched movies. In two days she gained 100 grams! And amazingly I didn't feel the least bit guilty about the dishes in the sink or not running off to exercise every evening. I even let go of my expectations to try to drop the "baby weight" and go back to eating 100% healthy. My maternity jeans are comfortable, the chocolate is delicious and she doesn't care what I look like. There will be time for all of that later when she's older and needs me less. But right now? She is 100% reliant on me and Paul to do everything for her so she is where I will put my energy and time

 

Snuggling and sleeping

Really, what do babies need when they are this young? They need love, someone to feed and care for them, sleep and lots of talking and interaction when awake. Does she need a baby sensory class yet? Not really, as everything in our house and our yard is already stimulating. Eventually she will get older and I look forward to taking advantage of these opportunities, but now cuddles are my number one priority. 

Wales 2016

In the summer of 2015, we planned and booked our yearly trip to a cottage in Wales with our dear friends the Metsons. Little did we know we'd be bringing an extra person! It's a tradition now, every summer we find a cottage somewhere (usually Wales because of its price) where we spend a week puttering around, catching up, reading, drinking and enjoying life. Our first year was with their sweet little girl when she was 6 months old. The next year she was a bit older and the adult to child ratio was even bigger when our friends Anna and Rob joined in too - 6 adults to one little girl! We had one more summer in Cornwall with the Metsons before we went on our big trip, and then missed last year due to the arrival of their little boy. This summer was definitely different, with four children and six adults at its peak! Talk about noisy, chaotic, and most of all, fun.

Paul and decided to drive down to Wales in 2 days so as not to distress Ellie too much. The drive was mostly uneventful with occasional stops for food and drinks. Ellie slept the majority of it, thank goodness, and we listened to an audiobook.

There were many wonderful, quiet, easy days where we did nothing more exciting than going for a walk. When you've got a five week old, this is more than enough! Surrounding the cottage were many beautiful green fields with crops and animals. And we had a hot tub. Did I mention that? It was fantastic! Gone are the days when I wander for an entire afternoon exploring random paths, but snuggling with Ellie is just as nice.

 

This is our cottage as viewed from the walk

 

 

We returned to the family fun farm which we had visited years before. Simon and I raced on the downhill sleds and explored the maize maze, we took Ellie on her first tractor ride, and she saw her first pig race! Although she's too small to appreciate it, someday it will be quite a fun destination.

Metson tractor ride 2013

Metson tractor ride 2016

Ellie's first tractor ride!

Ellie's first pig race - Kate Piddleton won!

  

On our way into the maze, just in case we get lost.

Another day we went to a nearby beach town and enjoyed a pub meal, a bit of beach time, and some ice cream. Because Ellie can't get wet she couldn't go in the ocean, but we did lay her (in the shade!) on the beach. She seemed to enjoy it as much as Paul and made grumpy faces nearly the entire time.

 

Ellie and Ed in a pub

 

The kiddos are not enjoying this as much as we are! 

Our last adventure was to a castle just a few miles away. I plopped Ellie into the Ergo carrier and we hiked up the small hill to the ruins. It was a gorgeous day (no rain!) and we enjoyed wandering the grounds and learning about the castle. We then decided to descend the large, steep staircase to explore the cave under the castle. Simon and his two kids, Rob and his little girl, and me and Paul with Ellie - and three smartphone flashlights between us! Some of the steps were quite steep and slippery, but I had come well prepared in my sandals... We didn't make it far into the cave before the sensible adults (read: not me!) decided we should turn around. Still, it was Ellie's first cave and it was fun!

 

 

 

 

 In the cave

 

Overall it was another successful break that sped by too fast. Especially with finally having our little one with us, every moment is precious and disappears before your eyes. I can't believe how big their children are, and that before we know it Ellie will be a big kid too. We look forward to many more cottage summers, and I can't wait to watch our children grow up together as friends.

 

The girls 2016

   

Lib 2012 (left) and 2013 (middle) 2014 (middle) and 2016 (right)