Anyone have any experience with or knowledge about a spica cast? Particularly in infants? Long story short, my 4.5 month old has a fractured femur and will be in a spica cast for the next 5 weeks. Still reeling and trying to learn everything I can about how I can help and care for her.
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No advice but I am so sorry!!
I hope your LO heals quickly.
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@hilsy85: Thank you! She's already so much happier and pretty much back to normal after the cast was placed. Waiting for surgery was way worse than recovery so far.
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Sorry you and your LO are going through this. I don't, but I run an online hip dysplasia support group for parents and many of the members have had children in spica casts. They are great at answering questions and tips. Wall me if you would like the group name.
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Oh you poor thing! How does a baby even fracture anything? I worry so much about this!
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@sarac: We went for a walk and my husband was carrying her and slipped on a patch of ice.
It's been a rough few days.
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Poor baby. I've seen a few toddlers with these in my mom group lately. Their biggest challenge is keeping their busy toddler entertained without being mobile. I imagine it might be a little easier for an immobile baby but sleep might be a challenge. Sending positive healing thoughts for a speedy recovery.
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@catomd00: I am thankful that she's not already mobile and struggling with suddenly being confined. Thankfully she's an awesome night sleeper and so far that doesn't seem to be affected so far. Our biggest struggle right now is that she's a baby who likes to be held all day, so I'm trying to figure out if we can still use any of our baby carriers.
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Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts!
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No experience but I'm so sorry
I hope those 5 weeks go by as quickly as possible!
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No personal experience, but I did find this lady who wore her baby while she was in a spica cast for hip dysplasia! So it looks like it's doable.
http://ourpavlikharness.blogspot.com/2013/02/babywearing-spica-baby.html?m=1
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Oh poor baby! And poor parents! I can imagine your DH feels terrible and it must be so rough for you too.
No advice but just wanted to say I hope she heals quickly and all goes smoothly!
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Yes I do.
My now 2 year old has bilateral hip dysplasia / hip luxation and was in a spica cast from 6-8.5 months (besides other treatments such as harness and brace).
So yes, I do have 10 weeks of spica cast experience with a baby.
First and foremost, it's not as scary as you think it is. You will get the handle quiet quickly.
The most important things that come to my mind....
- change nappies frequently to avoid any leakage! During the day we did every 2 hours, at night we would change her when she woke (which was still twice a night)
- blow dry her bum on cool setting every time you change her to make sure there is no moisture in there
-check ankles and back and creases around hips for red and sore spots
- paddle the cast around the bum opening! In case something does leak this way it goes into the paddling first
- roll up a towel and put it under the feets to avoid pressure points when sleeping.
- a bean bag works great during the day and we also had her sleep in one for the first couple of nights
Maybe it's just easier if you send me a pm.... I'm more than happy to help you along and share pics of my baby if needed.
The time will pass quicker than you think. I promise!
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ah... And the Ergo carrier worked great for us!
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@Mrs.KMM: Thank you! I found that blog as well, along with a couple others. Babywearing appears to be totally possible, I just need to do some playing around to see what works for us.
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Hi::
Just wanted to see how you are doing?Hope you got all (3) my emails.
I hope your LO heals quickly.
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