While hearing those words in relation to your baby may sound a little scary, hip dysplasia is in fact a very common occurrence in babies. And, thankfully, its easily corrected by wearing a hip brace for a prescribed amount of time.
There are several different types of brace that might be used and each provide their own set of potential complications in relation to children and their carseats.
The main issues relating to children in hip braces are:
1. They are quite wide and their shape prevents infants from sitting in their restraints properly.
2. The shape of the brace causes the child to have an unnatural void beneath their bottom.
Sometimes the use of towels rolled up and placed underneath the child’s bum and knees to provide additional support is recommended by the child’s occupational therapist or Dr so that the infant is supported sufficiently and can be restrained safely in their child restraint.
We do not recommend attempting to set up the towels yourself – please ensure you are guided by your child’s occupational therapist or health care professional.
With certain types of braces, you may need to reach out to the child restraint manufacturer and see if they have a longer crotch buckle available for your carseat. Always contact the manufacturer direct rather than using aftermarket accessories or items for sale online as many are not safe and can have a major impact on the safety of your child restraint.
It’s important to note that not all child restraints will work with a hip brace ie. narrow restraints may put undesired pressure on the child’s knees which could potentially affect the healing process and cause the child to be uncomfortable and unhappy in the car.
Ideally a wide restraint rather than a baby capsule is the desired option as it will allow for the child to fit safely and comfortably.
Here are a few carseats to consider for your child with a hip brace:
InfaSecure Luxi 0-8 range.
Britax Millenia or platinum 0-4 or Britax Maxi Guard.
Joie Itravel 0-4
Nuna Rava 0-4
This list is by no means exhaustive – there may be other options more suitable to your needs. Speak to your health care provider who may also be able to recommend a suitable restraint for your child.
For more information please visit https://www.healthyhipsaustralia.org.au/carseat-options-hip-dysplasia-treatment/