Babywearing the Spica baby

When I was pregnant with our first daughter, Charlotte, I did a lot of research on baby products.  I wanted to make sure what we were investing our money in was the safest for our child.  I had initially registered for a Baby Bjorn carrier.  After reading many reviews, however, I learned that that style of carrier may not be the best for a baby's hip development.  I don't know what stuck with me, but after that I didn't feel like that was the best option for us.  I ended up purchasing a Ergo carrier for Charlotte and that investment has proven to be invaluable for us given that we have embarked on a journey with hip dysplasia.


The International Hip Dysplasia Institute  suggests that carriers that allow the baby to sit in the carrier rather than dangle promote a healthier position that does not cause excessive force on the hip joint.
There are lots of different styles of carriers that promote this better positioning.  The ones I can think of off the top of my head would include any Mei Tai style carriers, Beco carriers, Ergo carriers and the Moby GO.
I feel content knowing that when Annabelle is NOT in her Spica, if I have her in our carrier, her hips are well supported and safe.  The Ergo has also come in quite handy because I've been able to wear Annabelle while she is in her Spica.  I wore her almost the entire evening after we came home from the hospital, and I use it anytime we're out shopping, since we have to take her out of her carseat, and she doesn't fit in the cart.  :)

 



*** please note that I am not endorsed by any company to make claims, and I am not specifically promoting a specific type of carrier.

Babywearing with the Rhino Cruiser, part 2

I had posted earlier that the Ergo carrier worked well with the Rhino.  I've worn Annabelle in it a few times with her brace, and she sometimes will tolerate it, and other times won't.  It's really touch and go.  It's not quite wide enough for her leg span, and I think it sometimes cuts into her legs and makes her uncomfortable.

I found my ring sling, and decided to try her in that.  It's not the ideal carrier for long term wearing, but it worked well with her brace, I used a hip carry similar to how I carried Charlotte when she was ~10 months old.  Annabelle did well in it - I think we'll try this one again!

It's a double-layer Solarveil ring sling from Baby So Smart.  The lint is courtesy of me washing it with a load of towels and accidentally drying it.  This sling is awesome, I bought it for Charlotte specifically to wear her in the pool or shower.  You can scrub a baby right through the fabric with soap!  It also has some UV protection.  :)

Babywearing with the Rhino Cruiser

When I was pregnant with our oldest daughter Charlotte, I *knew* I wanted a Baby Bjorn carrier. I heavily researched all products we registered for/purchased, and learned that BB style carriers were not ideal for babies hips. (There is data out there that supports both sides of the argument, but after reading enough information, I decided that the BB style carrier was not for me.)
When Charlotte was 10months old, I bought an Ergo carrier that allows babies to sit instead of dangle while being worn. This style carrier is preferred by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute to promote healthy hips.

When we learned about Annabelle's hip dysplasia, I was ***SOOO*** happy that we already had a carrier that would work well with her hips. I have the infant insert, and I used that with her before she went into her PH, but afterwards, she didn't fit well with the insert. I tried wearing her once when she was in her PH just in the carrier, not with the insert, and she was too little, it was uncomfortable for her.

I tried her again about a week ago in her Rhino cruiser, and she tolerated it well for a short amt of time. She was chewing on the straps, so I got some strap covers to protect the carrier. Yesterday, we went to a soccer game, and she was in the carrier for about an hour and tolerated it well. Afterwards, she didn't really like it. I think it pushes her legs out further than they would normally be... she still only weighs about 12.5lbs at 14 weeks old.

It's the best option we have at this stage, though. I actually think a BB style carrier might work better, because they tend to be tapered out at the bottom. My friend has one that we're going to borrow when Annabelle is in her spica cast, I'll have to try it out.

Babywearing with the Pavlik Harness

Part of my upset about the PH has been that Annabelle has not tolerated being worn since she got her harness. In the seven weeks of her life before she she got it, she traded between my ring sling, Ergo and moby wrap - depending on the situation, and which carrier was closest. I have a mei tai also, but I was waiting to use it until she was older, so she could better tolerate the positioning.

I love babywearing. I loved it with Charlotte, and wished I had done it more with her. But, now it was seeming like a foreign possibility. I want to be able to go out and do things with her in a carrier, and this was looking like it just wouldn't happen while she has her PH.

I had tried the Ergo and Mei Tai both, as both those carriers by nature support healthy hip positioning. No awful crotch dangling like in Baby Bjorn style carriers.
Annabelle hated the carriers. Time and time again I tried with no luck. I was so sad - not only could I not bathe my baby and snuggle her with skin to skin afterwards - I can't truly snuggle her like I'd like to, because she doesn't bend that way anymore - but now, I can't wear her?

After googling today to see what other moms might have encountered. I realized I hadn't tried the Moby yet. I tried at the next possible opportunity. She wasn't happy, but that was more a case of hungry baby rather than uncomfortable baby. I fed her, and tried again. She slept, I snuggled, she snuggled, I cried. I finally got that moment back that I was missing and longing for.