Swaddling resurgence 'damaging hips', surgeon warns

Parents are risking their babies' health
because of a surge in the popularity of
swaddling, according to an orthopaedic
surgeon.
The technique involves binding the arms and
legs with blankets and is used to help calm a
baby and prevent crying.
But Prof Nicholas Clarke, of Southampton
University Hospital, said swaddling was
damaging developing hips.
The Royal College of Midwives and other
experts advised parents to avoid tightly
swaddling a child.
Restricts movement
Swaddling has been widely used in many
cultures globally. It is thought the blanket
wrapping can simulate the feelings of being in
the womb and calm the child.
But the technique holds the legs out straight
and restricts movement, which can alter the
development of the hip joint.
Writing in the journal Archives of Disease
in Childhood, Prof Clarke argued: "There has
been a recent resurgence of swaddling because
of its perceived palliative effect on excessive
crying, colic and promoting sleep.
"In order to allow for healthy hip
development, legs should be able to bend up
and out at the hips. This position allows for
natural development of the hip joints.
"The babies' legs should not be tightly
wrapped in extension and pressed together."
Jane Munro, of the Royal College of Midwives,
said it was a "seemingly innocuous" thing to
do, but it posed "significant problems" for the
baby.
She said there was also the risk of the baby
overheating and a raised risk of cot death.
She added: "We advise parents to avoid
swaddling, but it is also crucial that we take
into account each mother's cultural
background, and to provide individualised
advice to ensure she knows how to keep her
baby safe, able to move and not get
overheated."
Video guidance
Andreas Roposch, a consultant orthopaedic
surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said:
"Similar effects may be seen in all devices or
manoeuvres that place the legs in a purely
straight position for prolonged periods in this
critical age of early infancy.
"Swaddling should not be employed in my
view, as there is no health benefit but a risk
for adverse consequences of the growing and
often immature hips."
Rosemary Dodds, of parenting charity the NCT,
advised against tight swaddling.
"It is helpful to raise awareness of hip
dysplasia in relation to swaddling. Some
parents and babies seem to like swaddling, but
it is important that babies do not overheat and
their legs are not restricted.
"Videos are available on the NCT website
showing parents who want to swaddle their
baby how to do so safely."