Good clothing for the casting and bracing period

Once you know that your child will be born with congenital clubfoot, you can prepare a layette in advance. And if you didn’t know that your baby has this specific foot condition—don’t worry, nothing is lost! A layette for a little clubfoot baby doesn’t include any special clothing, but it’s helpful to know what to pay attention to when putting the layette together or buying clothes for your baby.

WHAT CLOTHES ARE SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN WITH CLUBFOOT?

Contrary to appearances, these are not specialist garments. They are ordinary clothes—the same ones worn every day by perfectly healthy babies. However, there is something you need to keep in mind, regardless of whether you learned about the condition during pregnancy or it has just come as a surprise.

Bearing in mind that treatment involves weekly changes of plaster casts—in which the entire leg is cast in a specific position—and later the use of a foot abduction brace that connects both feet together, it’s worth giving some thought to your baby’s wardrobe and keeping it as simple as possible when choosing clothes.

UPPER PART OF THE WARDROBE

There are no special requirements for this part of a child’s clothing. Bodysuits, tops, sweatshirts, cardigans—anything that is comfortable will work perfectly well. And, importantly, something that can be changed quickly.

LOWER PART OF THE WARDROBE

Here, things look a bit different. Since the legs are fully placed in plaster casts and later a foot abduction brace is used, appropriate clothing is of real importance. The golden rule when putting together this part of the wardrobe is: no feet. Any clothing that does not cover the baby’s feet will work perfectly.

DURING CASTING IN SUMMER

• If it’s very warm outside, there’s no need to put anything on the legs—just cover them lightly with something thin, for example a muslin or cotton (tetra) cloth.
• Footless shorts—one size larger than usual, preferably with loose, puffed legs and made of stretchy fabric (the cast is slightly bigger than the leg, so the clothing needs extra room to fit comfortably).
• Any trousers fastened in the crotch, wide-cut.
• Rompers—one-piece outfits for infants and young children that combine a top and shorts in one garment. It’s best if they fasten at the crotch with snap buttons, as this is more practical than a zipper.

DURING CASTING IN WINTER

• Footless shorts—one size larger than usual, preferably with loose, puffed legs and made of stretchy fabric (the cast is slightly bigger than the leg, so the clothing needs extra room to fit comfortably).
• Any trousers fastened in the crotch.
• Socks to put over the “feet” so they don’t get cold—the socks need to be a larger size to easily fit over the cast.
• A snowsuit with a joined (semi-rounded) bottom.
• Remember to cover the casted legs with a blanket to keep them warm.

DURING BRACE WEARING IN SUMMER

• Always socks!!!
• Short-sleeved rompers with short legs (i.e. short-sleeved, short-leg onesies).
• Bodysuits on their own.
• Lightweight, footless shorts—stretchy, in a size that currently fits the child.
• Leggings and leg warmers.
• Shorts.
• Skirts.

DURING BRACE WEARING IN WINTER

• Always socks!!!
• Long-sleeved rompers with long legs.
• Footless trousers + socks.
• Tights (seamless).
• Warm leg warmers + socks.
• Any trousers fastened in the crotch.
• A footless snowsuit—either with joined legs or separate leg openings.
• Jacket + padded footless trousers.
• INSULATED COVERS for Mitchell boots.

WHAT ABOUT NIGHTTIME?

When a child has their legs in casts, it’s better not to put them in a sleeping bag or swaddle at night—it may be very uncomfortable and cause frequent waking. The only exception is when you can use just the upper part of your swaddle and it allows you to wrap the baby only halfway (so the legs remain free from the waist down).

The situation is different once the child is wearing a foot abduction brace. In that case, a traditional sleeping bag can be used at night, as long as the lower part is slightly wider and preferably semi-rounded (which is more comfortable), or a sleeping bag with separate legs.

COMFORTABLE

As mentioned above, during casting the lower part of the wardrobe should be wider so that the casted leg(s) can fit comfortably. Clothing worn during brace treatment, on the other hand, is no different from what all children normally wear.

It is important that clothes are made from natural, breathable, and airy materials, are easy to wash, and—above all—are comfortable and do not restrict the child’s movements.