Truth About Hip Dysplasia and Cloth Diaper Safety

The use of baby cloth diapers has numerous advantages. They're more cost-effective and better for the environment, and newborns typically feel more at ease in them. But what about the growth of the hip? How do cloth diapers affect a baby's hips? Is there a difference in hip development between those who use cloth diapers and those who don't? Pros and cons of cloth diapers. Let's check them out!

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine exactly how the use of cloth diapers may impact hip development, and there is not even the slightest trace of evidence to support such a claim. Cloth diapers also do not worsen any form of hip dysplasia or result in any kind of physical or developmental delay. According to research, the only difference in hip growth between reusable diaper users and non-users is that cloth diaper users had stronger hip muscles.

What is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is a condition that develops when your hip's ball and socket are not properly aligned. The legs of a baby should not be straight and joined. After all, a newborn baby has only recently spent months with its legs curled into its chest within the womb. Reusable cloth diapers position the baby's legs in such a way that the ball of the hip joint fits into the socket.

When Does Hip Dysplasia Occur?

Hip dysplasia can develop before the baby is born, or sometimes it can even develop after the baby is born and continues to grow. It may affect one or both hips. One in ten infants is born with hip dysplasia, according to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. From severe hip dysplasia, when the hip is completely out of the socket, to ligament loss, which results in a slight wiggle of the hip joint, this can occur. (source). Ninety percent of infants' hip ligaments tighten naturally without any help. One in ten infants, or the other 10%, will have hip dysplasia that needs to be treated.

Factors That Cause Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia can occur for a variety of reasons, such as:-

1. Sensitivity to Mothers Hormones

The body of a mother generates hormones before delivery that induce ligaments to relax more than usual, slightly easing the passage of the baby through the birth canal. A mother's body fluids travel through her baby's body as well, loosening the baby's ligaments. Some newborns with softer ligaments could have mild hip dysplasia at birth, which will go away on its own. Hip dysplasia disappears as the hormones are distributed and the ligaments naturally tighten up.

2. Pre-Birth Position

The posture of your baby before birth is one aspect that affects this. Hip pressure is caused by that tight curve in the womb. While breach newborns are more likely to develop hip dysplasia than head-down babies, babies in a normal position are more likely to have hip dysplasia of the left hip.

3. Post Birth Positioning

Babies who spend time with their hips open and legs up, bent at the knee, in a frog-like position are less likely to develop hip dysplasia than babies who are swaddled, with their legs straight.

How is Hip Dysplasia Treated?

The severity of the hip dysplasia and the infant's age at diagnosis will determine the course of treatment. The hip of a newborn can be easily pulled back into the socket, and after that, a harness is worn for up to 12 weeks while the ligament tightens and the socket's bone solidifies. The procedure is quite similar for infants. The hip might not, however, return to its socket as soon or as easily as it would for a newborn. Before the ligaments tighten and the socket bone hardens, wearing the brace might help the hip settle into place gradually.

Hip Dysplasia and Cloth Nappies

Cloth diapers put babies' legs in a more open position, which is better for growth, and they have a lower risk of having hip dysplasia. Several medical professionals advise using reusable organic cotton cloth diapers for infants who have hip dysplasia. Cloth diapers can help support the hip joints and help avoid hip dysplasia, but they are not a substitute for a Pavlik harness.

SuperBottoms cloth diapers can encourage healthy hip development as the legs of a baby wearing a cloth nappy are held slightly higher and farther apart than they would be in a disposable diaper. A baby may not spend a lot of time with the ball farther from the socket in this posture. Unwrapping a baby and placing him or her in a cloth diaper can help promote healthy socket development and good, strong bone growth.

Healthier Options for Treating Hip Dysplasia

To keep your baby's hips in a better posture for development, there are several things you may or not do:-

1. Swaddling

Be careful not to swaddle your baby with their legs straight and touching. The hip of your infant will spend less time firmly planted in the socket in this less healthy posture.

How to Swaddle Baby: Step-by-Step Guide! >> Checkout

2. Car Seats

Choose a car seat with as much space as possible for your baby's bottom, hips, and legs so that it can be treated in the best way possible. Your infant will be able to bend their legs and flop their knees out to the side in a healthy position on a wider seat.

3. Baby Carriers

Certain baby carriers and other items can be quite helpful for maintaining appropriate hip posture. However, avoid forward-facing models or other designs that allow your baby's legs to hang straight below them, consider before selecting the right one. Choose a baby carrier that holds your child in a more froggy position instead.

Hip Dysplasia Is Not Caused by Cloth Diapers

Hip dysplasia tends to be usually genetic, but frequent or early improper positioning of the baby's hip joint might contribute to its development. Some of this is brought on by natural factors, as described in the article above. But it can also be partially brought on by postpartum behaviors, such as improper placement when holding a baby in a sling or too-tightly swaddling the baby's legs.

Using cloth diapers encourages the baby's hips into the proper posture for healthy development since the added weight lifts the baby's legs up and forward and encourages healthy growth. Bulky diapers are so beneficial that some medical professionals advise parents of children with hip dysplasia to wear cloth diapers to realign the hips.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Various Reasons: The risk of hip dysplasia in a baby can be influenced by a variety of circumstances.
2. Prevent Hip Problems: If you do choose to use cloth diapers, they might help your child prevent hip problems.
3. Swaddling: Hip Dysplasia is less likely to develop in babies who are swaddled, with their legs straight.

Message From SuperBottoms

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