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Hip Health Explained
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) is a collaborative, international, not-for-profit effort. Its goal is to educate patients, families, and physicians about hip dysplasia in its various forms.
BabyBjörn has been working with IHDI since 2012 during the development of Baby Carrier One. Since then, we’ve had a research partnership with IHDI. Not only do we maintain a close dialogue to learn about new scientific research, but their physicians also evaluate and provide advice during product development. BabyBjörn and IHDI share a vision to support families with small children with evidence-based information.
“BabyBjörn and IHDI share the same mission: to support young families with evidence-based information.”
Dr. Pablo Castañeda
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Dr. Pablo Castañeda is a professor of orthopedic surgery, and he has performed surgeries in the US, Mexico and the UK. Few doctors have surgically treated as many tiny hips as he has. He is a skilled pediatric surgeon who is devoted to educating families and healthcare workers about early detection of hip dysplasia to avoid surgery. He is the chief of International and Destination Surgery and also the director of International Hip Dysplasia Institute
IHDI’s Position Statement
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) acknowledges all BabyBjörn baby carriers as hip healthy. This means that the baby carriers provide the proper support for a baby’s hips.
Normal Hip Development Depends on Natural Motion
Normal infant hip development relies on continuous coupled motion between the growing components in a typical position.
Hip Dysplasia Stems from Structural and Genetic Factors
Developmental dysplasia is caused by anomalies such as a shallow acetabulum, increased femoral anteversion, and capsular laxity.
Baby Carriers Neither Cause nor Prevent Hip Dysplasia
Based on the best available evidence, IHDI maintains that no baby carrier can cause or prevent hip dysplasia.
Unrestricted Motion Supports Healthy Hip Development
Based on the best available evidence, IHDI affirms that products allowing unrestricted motion do not cause hip dysplasia.
BabyBjörn Baby Carriers and Bouncers Are Acknowledged as Hip Healthy
IHDI acknowledges all BabyBjörn baby carriers and bouncers as hip-healthy products, noting that they are all compatible with hip-healthy practices and do not restrict the hips or place them in unhealthy positions.
“No evidence that a single carrier or position can cause hip dysplasia”
Dr. Castañeda explains that hip dysplasia is a multifactorial condition, which means that it is not caused specifically by one single factor. There are in fact many factors that together can cause hip dysplasia, such as genetics and the early development of the hip (children born breech).
Dr. Castañeda clearly states that there is no evidence that any type of baby carrier can cause or worsen any case of hip dysplasia. There is no right or wrong way to carry your baby as long as you follow the general safety guidelines. As long as the hips are wide, they are in a good position. Wide in this case means that the legs are spread and not tightly locked together, which allows for motion. There is no specific angle that needs to be focused on as long as the hips are not forced together.
Dr. Pablo Castañeda’s Insights on Hip Health
Hip dysplasia is multifactorial—it is not caused by a single product or position.
There is no evidence that baby carriers cause or worsen hip dysplasia.
Carriers that allow free, natural movement support healthy hip development.
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