The stories of families affected by infant hip dysplasia are all different i.e. the age and nature of the baby at the time of treatment and the type and length of treatment. But, the parents (particularly the mothers) of hip dysplasia babies all have something in common (besides, obviously, having a baby with hip dysplasia) – they will have all gone through most, if not all, of the 6 stages below.
Stage 1: Devastation
You cry for your innocent little baby. You cry because your baby isn’t old enough to understand why they have to go into the restricting harness/brace/cast. You cry because your baby is all stiff when they used to be cuddly. You cry because everything is different and no clothes fit.
Stage 2: Googling (worried)
You Google. You Google everything about developmental dysplasia of the hips and the potential risks to your precious baby. You read the stories written by other parents about their own experience with hip dysplasia, especially looking out for comments on hip dysplasia babies reaching “normal” milestones.
Stage 3: Googling (tips)
Your Googling moves on from the risks to tips and tricks for overcoming the logistical problems you have very quickly encountered. You search for answers to questions like:
- How do I change a nappy with a harness/brace/cast?
- How do I breastfeed with a harness/brace/cast?
- What clothes fit over a harness/brace/cast?
- Where can I get a car seat/pram that will work with the harness/brace/cast?
- How do I get a poop stain off the harness/brace/cast?
Stage 4: You Adjust
You adapt your usual routines and habits and get used to the new arrangement very quickly.
Stage 5: You Live
Living with a baby in a harness/brace/cast is now the new normal and you manage it like a pro. There are even times when you don’t think about it for a while.
Stage 6: You Become a Newbie Again
When your baby finishes treatment and is no longer in the harness/brace/cast you have to readjust to life with a squishy, active, super tall baby in regular baby clothes who may or may not sleep!
Have we missed any stages? Let us know in the comments of our Facebook or Instagram posts.
For more posts about life with a baby receiving treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip, browse our blog here: https://www.hipsleepers.com.au/blog/
To view our range of specialty hip dysplasia baby clothes and accessories, click here: https://www.hipsleepers.com.au/shop-all/