Wide Wrapping - How to Do It Right

For the majority of our evolutionary history, humans lived as hunters and gatherers. Long before strollers were invented, babies were almost always carried. After years of development, children are carried less frequently and wrapped in thin disposable diapers. As a result, the risk of hip maldevelopment is now many times higher.

Why should I use the wide diapering technique for my child? Wide diapering not only helps in correcting hip dysplasia but can also generally be beneficial for your baby's hip health.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about wide diapering. We will show you when it is used, what benefits it brings, and how to best implement this diapering technique. Additionally, we will give you tips on measures you can take to further positively influence your baby's hip development.

What is wide diapering?

Wide diapering is a special diapering technique that actively supports the healthy development of the hips. In this process, the baby's thighs are placed in a spread position. Your baby's hips are not fully developed at birth. Hip maturation takes place within the first few months of life and the hips only become truly firm over time. You can support hip maturation by ensuring that the thigh bone is always at a good angle to the hip. There should be about 15 cm of space between the baby's legs for this.

Why are babies wide diapered?

About 3% of children are born with hip dysplasia, making it the most common congenital malformation in babies. (Source: Familienhandbuch). Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint. It is improperly formed due to insufficient ossification. To determine if there is a hip misalignment, a newborn screening is performed on every baby during the U3 preventive check-up (4th to 6th week of life).

If a hip misalignment is detected, one of the first therapy options is wide diapering. With the correct diapering technique, the maturation of the hip is promoted within a few weeks, thereby correcting the baby's hip position.

However, if the degree of hip dysplasia is more than mild, the pediatrician will likely prescribe a spreader pants or a brace , as wide diapering alone is not sufficient. In the case of exceptionally severe deviations, even an operation may be necessary.

Does wide diapering affect freedom of movement?

One might assume that wide diapering negatively affects a child's freedom of movement, but this is not the case. Once the hips are mature, your child develops sufficiently strong muscles through their natural urge to move, enabling them to learn to turn, sit up, and walk quite normally. You might notice that your child shows an even stronger urge to move without a diaper and may, therefore, turn a bit earlier. However, this should not be seen as a disadvantage in any way.

How long should you use wide diapering?

If abnormalities were found during the U3 check-up, the best therapy option will be determined depending on the degree of hip dysplasia. Progress will be regularly monitored during treatment. You should diaper your baby as consistently and also overnight as possible. Stretching breaks are naturally okay, but your perseverance will pay off in the end. Typically, the hips mature within a few weeks.

How to succeed in wide diapering

Babies are generally born with hips that are not fully ossified. Even without a diagnosed malformation, it is important to support the natural posture. The so-called spread-squat position or frog position are promoted through wide diapering and are therefore recommended by doctors and midwives. To ensure you're doing it correctly, you should always consult with them.

Below, we show you which materials are particularly suitable for wide diapering and which tricks you can apply. Suitable materials are:

• Cloth diapers
• Muslin cloths
• Towels
• Postnatal pads
• Disposable diapers in combination with additional material

Wide Diapering with Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers are inherently excellent for wide diapering, as they are generally somewhat wider in the crotch area than disposable diapers. For wide diapering, you can use our Judes cloth diapers, among others. They are especially easy to use and thus perfect for cloth diaper beginners. Judes consist of an absorbent inner diaper and a waterproof, yet breathable cover. We have already received multiple positive feedback from pediatricians.

For optimal hip positioning, you should still supplement the cloth diaper with additional diapering material. You can use, for example:

Muslin/Flannel Cloths

These cotton cloths can be well folded and are most commonly used for wide diapering. Fold the cloth into a 15 cm wide strip, and the length of the cloth should match the length of the unfolded diaper. In the case of our Judes diapers, place the cloth between the cover and the inner diaper. Be sure that not too much fabric gathers on the back so that the baby can continue to lie comfortably.

Alternatively, you can use the diapering technique where you fold the muslin cloth into a triangle and then wrap it around your child. This is considered particularly leak-proof and is suitable for delicate babies. A cover ensures that nothing leaks.

Folded Towel

Instead of a muslin cloth, you can also use a small towel. Again, the folded strip should lie between the inner diaper and the outer cover.

Postnatal Pads

You can also use the large postnatal pads you likely have left after the birth for wide diapering. However, this creates waste that would otherwise be avoidable.

Larger Cover

Photo by @isabelplett

During the time you are wide diapering your baby, you can also use a Judes cover in size 2. Since wide diapering is primarily practiced within the first weeks of life, your baby would normally wear size 1 during this time. A larger cover automatically takes up more space and also provides more room to store muslin cloths or similar items in the diaper.

With Judes, you can manage with two sizes throughout the entire diapering period:

• Size 1: From birth to 7.5 kg
• Size 2: From 7.5 kg to 15 kg

Our Judes cloth diapers have numerous additional advantages compared to other cloth diaper brands and are a sustainable alternative to disposable diapers.

Wide Diapering with Disposable Diapers

Of course, you can also wide diaper your baby with disposable diapers. For this, you tuck the materials mentioned above between the diaper and the bodysuit. For better support, you can additionally put a cover or underpants on your child.

The common advice to simply put two disposable diapers on top of each other is unfortunately not advisable for two reasons. Firstly, disposable diapers are not durable enough, and the effect of wide diapering is not achieved. Secondly, it just creates more waste, which could otherwise be avoided.

How you can further support your baby's hip development

Photo by @isabelplett

In addition to wide diapering, there are other ways to support your baby's hip development.

Support through Baby Carriers

As you might already know, humans are so-called carry mammals. It is therefore natural for us to carry our babies close to us. Using a baby carrier can positively affect the child's posture and be beneficial for the hips. Even if your baby is already wide diapered, you can still carry them in a suitable carrier or wrap.

It is important that the carrier fits correctly and ensures the natural spread-squat position. We recommend seeking guidance on babywearing before purchasing a carrier to find the right one for you and your baby and to become familiar with its correct use.

Note: You should not carry your baby facing forward. Not only can they become overstimulated quickly, but this position also counteracts the natural curvature of the spine, with the legs hanging down, preventing optimal hip development. (Source: Kinderdok.blog)

Hip-Friendly Swaddling

If you enjoy swaddling your child, you should ensure that you swaddle in a hip-friendly manner. Although swaddling has a calming effect on babies due to its snugness, it can negatively affect hip development. Here you will find instructions for hip-friendly swaddling.

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