Pavlik Harness
Support, tips & tricks for babies wearing Pavlik harness brace for the treatment of developmental hip dysplasia.
Key points to remember -
- Monitor your baby's skin daily. Take care to clean your baby's skin and if you notice any skin irritation or redness, contact your caregiver
- Always try to keep your baby's legs apart, especially when bathing with the harness off.
- Babies may cry a little or seem unsettled for the first couple of nights after the harness is fitted. This should settle down within a couple of days.
- The Pavlik Harness should be washed only if absolutely necessary and do not tumble dry.
- Make sure you vary the position of your sleeping baby to avoid plagiocephaly (misshapen head).
Common questions our doctors are asked
What should I do if my baby gets a rash under the harness?
It is important to monitor your baby’s skin each day, and contact the orthotist if a rash appears. If mild skin irritation occurs, a barrier ointment (like Vaseline) can be helpful, but discuss this with your child's orthotist.
My baby seems very reluctant to spend time on her tummy. How should I deal with this?
Tummy time is difficult to achieve when your child is placed in any kind of orthosis (e.g. harness, spica, plaster), though you can try encouraging tummy time during orthosis-free time, if allowed. Fortunately, in the long-term, your child's developmental ability will not suffer by missing out on tummy-time for this short period in their life.
Source - RCH.org.au
QUESTIONS FOR FIRST APPOINTMENTS -
Printable template to take with you for first appointments
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE - PAVLIK HARNESS
CARING FOR A CHILD IN A HARNESS
NAPPY CHANGING RESOURCE - a free download for you and your child's care givers/childcare. Printable posters and care instructions to help educate about hip healthy nappy changes whether your child is in a brace, cast or for good general hip health.
CLOTHING & BRACE COVERS - high cut onesies, comfy pants & brace covers, plus all the cute matching accessories,
Brace friendly Pouches & Swaddles
NICOLE From Baby & kids physio -
Safe swaddling tips
Is BABYWEARING hip friendly?
Read all about it HERE
Breastfeeding Australia provides tips on positioning and latching while in a brace or cast
The team from Western Health have created a course for parents with a DDH diagnosis. FEEL confident to support your little one with feeding, playing and sleeping whilst in the brace. You and your baby can focus on your connection and having fun. Includes explanations, images and videos. Use Code - HDCA50 for 50% off
If you know of another we should add, please contact us adelle@hipclothingau.com
DISCLAIMER This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. Every effort is made to ensure this information is up to date, accurate and easy to understand. Hip Dysplasia Clothing Australia accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading.