Toddler is about to be immobilized for 3 months

[Anonymous]

My almost two year old was recently diagnosed with developmental hip dysplasia. She'll have surgery in a couple weeks and will be in a spica cast for about 3 months. The cast will start at her chest and go down to both ankles so she'll basically be immobilized during this time. Has anyone been through this? Do you have any advice for how to keep her happy/entertained? We bought a wagon for long walks since she won't fit in her stroller anymore. She's not really into screens yet, unfortunately. I appreciate any advice!

[Anonymous]

No advice, just a hope that she has a quick recovery!!

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

Can she be supported in an up right position?

If so some activities might be painting at an easel, building blocks, play dough, dot dot or chunky crayons at a table,

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Get a jogging stroller.

[Anonymous]

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.

[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!

I think tv or movies would be ok in this situation!

[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.

two year olds play uno? Wow! I think that is too young for UNO

[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.

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

[Anonymous]

I had a neighbor child go through that, and I was staying at home with my new baby, so I used to visit every day or two And talk to her for 30 minutes and play with the baby (it was nice for me too). Maybe line up some neighbors to drop by in a socially distant /Outdoor way?

[Anonymous]

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!

[Anonymous]

My DD just turned two and loves reusable sticker books. Melissa and Doug make big sheet-style ones. She will happily sit at her little table and work on the stickers for 30 to 45 minutes, which is like three hours in toddler time as we all know. That might be something fun for your girl that doesn’t require movement. Hope everything goes smoothly!

[Anonymous]

OP here- thank you so much for the replies and suggestions! I have some online shopping to do. My daughter is really independent and happily follows our older daughter around so I've never really had to think about how to entertain her individually. I appreciate your help so much .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No advice, just a hope that she has a quick recovery!!

Thank you so much!