How to Keep a Baby Warm With a Pavlik Harness

A Pavlik Harness is used to treat hip displacement in babies up to eight months old. The harness is initially worn 24 hours per day with direct skin contact. As the baby grows, the amount of time the Pavlik Harness must be worn varies. It is incumbent upon parents to find ways to keep the baby warm with a Pavlik Harness. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the baby should be dressed in loose clothing that will not pull the legs together.

Things You'll Need

• Sleepers
• Baby gowns
• Booties
• Swaddlers or wearable blankets
• Baby leg warmers
• Baby T-shirts
• Baby socks

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Instructions

Clothing Choices

• 1

  Choice 1:
  Sleepers that are larger than the baby would normally wear are a good choice for warmth. Loose-fitting sleepers can be worn over the Pavlik Harness, according to OrthoSeek.com. As the sleeper is snapped or zipped, check to be certain no stress is placed upon the harness or legs.

• 2

  Choice 2:
  A roomy baby gown, with nonrestricting baby booties, is another option. However, if the gown has a drawstring at the bottom, cinching may tighten the gown against the baby's legs, so it is best to remove the drawstring.

• 3

  Choice 3:
  Swaddlers or wearable blankets can be worn overnight, as long as they are baggy and apply no inward pressure to the baby's legs. When covering your child with extra blankets, make certain they are loose and not tucked in. The baby should be able to kick his feet.

• 4

  Choice 4:
  Baby leg warmers can be purchased or can be easily made from the tube part of adult-sized crew socks or knee socks. These can be worn on the baby's legs and even on her arms. With no tops or bottoms, they slip on and off easily.

• 5

  Choice 5:
  When the doctor allows the baby to be out of the harness for short periods of time, he can be dressed in T-shirts and socks worn under the harness, according to "A Guide for Parents." Although the Pavlik Harness is designed to be as comfortable as possible, wearing a T-shirt and socks shields the baby's sensitive skin against chafing.