Many new parents might find themselves swaddling fussy babies, but a new report suggests that some forms of the soothing technique can put infants at greater risk for hip dysplasia.
Today reports that the study found that swaddling, where babies are bundled tightly in blankets, puts an infant's legs in a straight extension and renders them unmovable. The technique puts infants at risk for dysplasia because it gets in the way of their normal development, Dr. Anthony Scaduto told Today. Babies' hips are very malleable,and regular movement can drive the ball joint of a child's femur into the socket, causing permanent changes to the joint.
But if children are swaddled, Clark told Today, it prevents the socket from deepening, which can lead to dysplasia.
“If the pressure from the ball isn’t there, then the socket grows more flat and plate-like,” Scaduto says.
Clark did say there are safe ways to swaddle a child. To see one way, watch the video below.
