Toddler is about to be immobilized for 3 months

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, a close relative's child just went through this. She's basically been watched and in casts most of her life. I'm so impressed with how well they've managed as she's improved gradually. Wishing you all the best.

[Anonymous]

PS: Op, I recall they needed a special car seat to accommodate her. Ask the doctor about that if you haven't already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, wow - that tough. I hope she has a fast and easy recovery.

Books, books and more books. Get or keep her on a schedule of play, reading, art, and naps. Would a kitchen helper work so she can color, playdough or help you cook on the kitchen counter?

Good luck!

Thank you! We recently moved and you've reminded me that I need to get a library card! She is well entertained on road trips with books so I might just check out as many as I can get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://playskate.com/f401 Can be a lifesaver.

I would invest in some sensory bins, art supplies like markers, stickers, stamps, pretend toys, especially small stuff like plastic figurines or barbies that she can hold in her hands.

Lots and lots of books, especially board books she can turn pages herself.

Musical instruments like shaker eggs, small horns and do a daily dance party so she can move and be active to the extent that she can.

Also if there is anywhere you can hang a hammock that is a great way to let her do something fun that feels normal (swinging in a swing).

Be prepared for her to regress and be clingy and emotional. Some people find babywearing (well, toddlerwearing) helpful so she can be close to you and comfortable and feel like she is participating and it is totally possible in a spica cast.

Diapering was the hardest part for us.

This is great. I was wondering if I could find an alternative swing for her since she loves playing on our swingset. A hammock might work.

Do you have any tips for diapering? Was it difficult keeping the cast clean and dry? Did you have any issues with the cast in general? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep her brain active. That can wear them out when stimulated a lot - card games like Memory, Uno, etc.

Legos, Magnatiles, Playdough to build and keep engaged.

Is a full 3 months? It is to my understanding that it's more in the 6 week range which hopefully will make it seem less daunting.

I'm not sure yet if it will be a full 3 months. Our doctor said it could be six weeks to three months in a cast so I've been mentally preparing myself for three months! Thanks for the suggestions. in putting magnatiles on the list- I think she'll love them.

[Anonymous]

They are not able to sit in a normal chair or sit flat on the floor with the cast. Large pillows propped on the floor with a tray table worked for periods of time. Keep rotating small activities and changing up where you sitting. Changing diapers are a bit tricky, but you get used to getting the regular sized diaper tucked in really well & adding a larger sized diaper over top. Eventually the cast will start to smell a bit off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, so hard, we caught it early and my little one was just in a pavlik and rhino.

Have you joined the Facebook groups? That's probably a better place to ask than here. Those families have been through it all!

Thank you for this suggestion! I'm going to look into the Facebook groups.

[Anonymous]

Also wishing her a speedy recovery! My daughter is the same age and she loves sticker books. This one from amazon has been a real winner: https://www.amazon.com/Sticker-Activity-Animals-Fun/dp/0312522509/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=animal+sticker+book+priddy&qid=1597981757&sr=8-6

For other activities that involve minimal movement, you might consider wooden jigsaw puzzles - super simple ones like the melissa & doug ones. And our toddler LOVES pompoms. You can get big bags of them on amazon. She'd spend ages transferring them between different containers.

[Anonymous]

How about a sensory swing (almost like s hammock) ???

[Anonymous]

I wonder if you could do a scooter board, or something else to get some mobility.

[Anonymous]

My daughter had hip dysplasia and surgery and there is quite a bit movement that can be done in the spica.

Get a beanbag chair.
She may very well maneuver into a walk in the spica.
Get duct tape to go around the "hole" for diaper changes/toilet trips.

Join Facebook groups on hip dysplasia surgery for TONS of tips, equipment shares and trades, good toys, etc. This was about 6 years ago so I don't remember the names but there are some great ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://playskate.com/f401 Can be a lifesaver.

I would invest in some sensory bins, art supplies like markers, stickers, stamps, pretend toys, especially small stuff like plastic figurines or barbies that she can hold in her hands.

Lots and lots of books, especially board books she can turn pages herself.

Musical instruments like shaker eggs, small horns and do a daily dance party so she can move and be active to the extent that she can.

Also if there is anywhere you can hang a hammock that is a great way to let her do something fun that feels normal (swinging in a swing).

Be prepared for her to regress and be clingy and emotional. Some people find babywearing (well, toddlerwearing) helpful so she can be close to you and comfortable and feel like she is participating and it is totally possible in a spica cast.

Diapering was the hardest part for us.

I would worry she would fall out of the swing tbh ( dp)

Right, which is why I recommended a hammock.

[Anonymous]

A friend went through this with her daughter a couple years back. She joined several spica support groups on Facebook and found them invaluable. She bought a special "spica chair" with a desk and did tons of art and craft activities in it. The kid is now incredible at art. And you'd never know she had hip dysplasia before, she moves totally normally. Wishing you and your child the best of luck!