What to do for the baby
Hold both legs
with the knees
bent, like this:
Then, open
them wide,
like this:
If you feel or
hear clicking, the
hip is dislocated.
click
If there is a click
when you move the
baby’s hips, get
medical advice.
To treat a dislocated hip
The parents will need to keep the baby’s knees high and open. They can:
use many
layers of
diapers.
lay the baby on his belly
with his legs open.
or carry
the baby
like this:
Also, try to feel the baby’s pulse in the place where the leg and genitals come
together. A skilled person may have to teach you. If a skilled person cannot find
this pulse, the baby may not have good blood flow to the legs. Get medical advice.
Feet
Look at the baby’s feet. If one foot turns inward and cannot be
straightened, he may have a club foot. This can usually be fixed
with a cast if the baby gets help in the first few days. The book
Disabled Village Children has more information on treating
club foot.
club
foot
Back
Turn the baby over and look at her spine. Look for holes, sores, cysts, growths, or
tufts of hair.
Gently move your fingers down the baby’s spine to feel
the bumps of her spinal bones. Can you feel a flat spot in the
spine? Are there any holes in the skin at the bottom of the
spine where the baby’s buttocks begin?
If you find any holes, sores, growths, or tufts of hair, get medical advice.
Skin
Look carefully at the baby’s skin. Some babies have spots on their skin. For example,
the baby might have large, dark patches on the lower back or bottom. Other babies
have red patches on their faces. These spots are not harmful. Other spots, like small
red rashes, can be a sign of infection. If you are not sure, get medical advice.
265
A Book for Midwives (2010)