Ped says >1-2 hrs/day in ergo hurts DD hip growth-What do you do?

[gracemamma]

Went to ped today for 4 mo. well check & asked about ergo. Ped (who is very well respected here and works with injured LOs alot) looked at ergo, asked how DDs legs go when on & said this could dammage her hips long-term if worn more than 2 hours. Said no more than 2 hrs/dy to avoid problems. Unfortunately DD was still naked so didnt get to show her exactly how she sits.
Ergo website has a ped who says all day is fine and answers that a physical therapist who saw baby in ergo & said it could create hip issues is wrong.
So do you all switch out carriers during the day?
DD up to now takes 2-3 naps a day here, nurses here, is put here when we go out to keep her safe & comfy. Rides aroun the house here when I'm trying to do stuff.
She just cried when I tried to get her to sleep in sleepy wrap.
What do y'all do to keep baby happy, live your lives and keep babies hips happy too?

[JamieCatheryn]

I'm told the bjorn and snuggli's are like that, but the better ones like ergo aren't. Not sure of the difference exactly though.

[lifeguard]

I'm guessing the dr. thought dc would ride in the ergo much like the bjorn or snuggli - hanging from the crotch. My understanding is that the ergo is actually good for hip development because it supports the leg as well.

Ds had a click in his hip when he was a newborn that turned out to not be an issue so I did do some research on this issue. Someone else might have something else to add though.

[lovermont]

The ergo/mei tai type carriers (not bjorn/snugli) from my research have shown only positive outcomes as far as hip concerns in babies. These carriers support the baby's bottom and thighs spreading weight evenly. The local family/AP oriented chiropractor in our area says there is nothing better for baby or mom than a baby carrier.

Just curious: did you show the ped a froggy leg style or with the baby sitting, legs out (I know you didn't show the ped with the actual baby, but wondering which position he was concerned about.

On a related note: a friend of the family is a physical therapist and said they always recommended cloth diapering for baby's with hip problems because it kept their gait spread, etc. I presume keeping a baby's legs spread in a carrier would be equally beneficial.

[guest9955]

no way. we do much more time per day in the ergo than that. babies have been carried like that forever, wrapped around mama/papa - they all turn out fine.

[JMJ]

From what I understand, until a baby's hips are wide enough, it's not good to carry them in the position with their legs around you for long periods of time. Most estimates are about 15 lbs. Before that, you can put her in with her legs curled underneath her "froggy style" or use a wrap style carrier that allows her legs to be supported less far apart.

[Just1More]

If her legs are rotated back into a sitting position, it shouldn't be a problem. I've found that they don't even splay very far if she's "sitting" in there. From the front it looks awful, and really far apart, but really it's the same as if she were on her back and holding her toes up to play with them.

[Just1More]

But, I do switch carriers around. I use a wrap, a hotsling, and the ergo. I confess I grab the ergo the most because it has great support AND is fast, but I like to alternate as much as possible to let her ride a little differently.

[LilMomma83]

I was worried about this, but, just started wearing my 13lb 5mo in the Ergo (prior to this had only done it in the "newborn" position) once I looked in the mirror it didn't seem his legs were too stretched...that said, I'm a working mom so it is rare I wear him more than 1-2hrs on a daily basis. DS1 started in the Ergo at 6mos (I think the same size as my 5mo is now) and did fine, I wore him TONS and he is 2.5 now and runs all over the place, I think his hips are great! Oh, and I still wear him in the Ergo too lol.

My Pediatrician mentioned something about hips, but, it was in relation to the weight of the legs hanging, he recommended a sling style carrier...the legs don't hand from the Ergo...or at least it supports them some depending on the size of baby

[gracemamma]

Happy thanksgiving and thanks for all the replies!
I have been offline a couple days but wanted to share that our ped called the next day to say that she checked with a sports medicine ped and he said the hip placement sounded ideal. They still recommended limiting time, though. She said maybe 3 hrs during the day but that it is good for growth for her to be able to move her whole leg around most of the day.
I'm thinking of checking out some more carriers for variety of placement.
Slings maybe? I love my ergo so much, though!
Recommendations welcome! And thanks again!

[lovermont]

I would say if you were going to hold the baby anyway (more than 3 hours a day) then a carrier is a perfectly fine alternative to holding in arms no matter how many hours a day that is.