Some popular baby carrier products manufactured by Graco, Evenflo, Baby Bjorn and other well-known brands have been linked to hip dysplasia and other debilitating hip injuries in babies when the products are used for extended periods of time during the first six month of the baby’s life. If your child has suffered hip dysplasia, arthritis of the hips, hip dislocation, avascular necrosis or another serious hip injury allegedly caused by an unsafe baby carrier product, contact an experienced product liability lawyer right away to discuss your legal options.
Parents with young children who were transported in a baby carrier during the first six months of their life and have since been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or another hip problem may be able to bring a claim against the baby carrier manufacturer for negligence. Companies that make baby carriers and other equipment designed to transport infants are expected to develop products that allow for healthy hip development, so parents can make the best possible choices about the products they use with their babies. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers follow the recommendations of infant health experts and some sell baby carriers and other infant products that place babies in unhealthy carrying positions. These baby carriers are not suitable for infants and some have been found to cause or contribute to hip dislocation, his dysplasia and other hip problems in babies. Sadly, because these hip conditions are rarely painful, they can go undetected until the baby begins walking and some may cause debilitating problems later in life, such as painful arthritis in adulthood. Keep in mind that just because some of these baby products have been recalled or discontinued, does not mean you no longer have a claim against the manufacturer.
• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis of the hips
• Dislocation of the hips
• Avascular necrosis
• Developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH)
• Minor laxity (looseness) of the hips
• Septic hip (septic arthritis)
• Perthes Disease (Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease)
“There is evidence that carrying a baby on the mother’s body (or father’s body) is likely to influence hip development during the first six months of life when the baby is carried for many hours each day for purposes of bonding, or infant care.” International Hip Dysplasia Institute
Hip dysplasia in babies can occur with certain types of baby carriers that interfere with healthy hip positioning, especially if the carrier is used for long periods of time each day. The hip joint is a ball and socket and the joint is often loose during the first few months of the baby’s life as a result of stretching during the birth process. Babies are also naturally flexible, and the edges of the hip socket are made of soft cartilage, which can easily become damaged. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, when babies are carried, especially for long periods of time in baby carriers, their hips should be allowed to spread apart with the hip joints bent and the thighs supported. If a narrow baby carrier without proper support forces a baby’s hips into an unnatural position, such as a stretched-out position with the feet pointing straight down, the edges of the hip socket may become misshapen or the ball may slip out of the socket and become dislocated. This is known as baby hip dysplasia and the risk of baby hip dysplasia is greatest during the first six month of the baby’s life. After six months, the baby’s hips are more developed and the ligaments are stronger, which means hip dysplasia is less likely to develop.
• Baby Bjorn – Baby Carrier Original
• Britax Baby Carrier
• Budu Baby Carrier
• Chicco – Ultrasoft Infant Carrier
• Evenflo Breathable Carrier
• Evenflo Easy Infant Carrier
• Evenflo Active Carrier
• Evenflo Snugli Comfort Carrier
• Evenflo BabyGo Carrier
• Graco Soft Infant Baby Carrier
• Infantino – Swift Classic Carrier 3-in-1
• Infantino – Swift Classic Carrier 4-in-1
• Mission Critical S.01 Action Baby Carrier
Baby carriers can be useful products for parents when used for short-term purposes. For instance, during transport or for occasional parental activities, such as grocery shopping or preparing meals. However, evidence suggests that carrying a baby in a baby carrier for many hours each day during the first six months of the baby’s life for the purpose of bonding or infant care may have an adverse effect on hip development, possibly resulting in hip dysplasia or another significant hip injury. The risk of hip injury is exponentially higher when babies are carried for long periods of time in baby carriers that do not allow for free movement of the hips without forcing them together. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute warns that “Any device that restrains a baby’s legs in an unhealthy position should be considered a potential risk for abnormal hip development.” In order to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia and other hip injuries in infants, parents are encouraged to choose a baby carrier that encourages healthy hip positioning.
