Healthy Habits: Hip Dysplasia

When creating your baby registry, many expectant parents rely on friends and family for practical advice on what's really needed.   

Two must-have registry items, a swaddle  and a baby carrier, may require a closer look to ensure that you are choosing the safest products for your baby. 

	According to Dr. Charles Price, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon and Director of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, "All parents want to select the best for their baby, and in many cases this also means the safest. When it comes to selecting swaddle garments and a baby carrier there are specific features parents should look for to ensure their baby's proper physical development." When babies are born, their hips are not fully formed.  Products that support healthy hip development are a must to avoid the possibility of  post-natal hip dysplasia. Products that do not properly support baby's growing body can directly affect baby's hip development resulting in lifelong issues such as arthritis and other ailments leading to early hip replacement surgery.

	Safe Swaddling

	Here are some simple tips for choosing swaddles and carriers that will ensure healthy hip development for your baby: Look for a swaddle garment that features a roomy bottom, allowing baby’s legs to bend up and out at the hips.  This position allows for natural and proper development of the hip joints.  Any swaddle that wraps baby’s legs straight or pressed together does not support proper hip development.

	Proper way to swaddle a baby:

	The WRONG way to swaddle a baby:

	Baby Carrier Safety

	Proper hip position is especially important during the first six months of baby’s life and when baby is in a carrier for extended periods Look for a carrier that allows baby’s legs to be in the “M” position with the thighs spread around the parents’ torso and the hips bent so the knees are slightly higher or level with the buttocks.  The carrier should provide support from the thighs to the knee. In a proper carrier your baby will be in a spread squat position and take on the look of a jockey.

The RIGHT and NOT RECOMMENDED way to carry a baby: The International Hip Dysplasia Institute was created to support parents and patients with hip dysplasia. They provide family support, preventive education and help patients identify physicians who can properly treat hip dysplasia.  The U.S. based non profit is also active in reducing the incidents of hip dysplasia around the world. For additional information on hip dysplasia and hip healthy baby products, visit www.hipdysplasia.org.