Safety: Blood Flow

Checking Baby's Circulation

  (by checking your baby's color and capillary refill)

A baby's circulation (the way blood moves through their body) needs to be watched while your baby is wearing the Infant Brace. The Infant Brace is designed to be restrictive to minimize movement of the shoulder joint. This helps the collarbone to heal easier and reduce your baby's pain.

Due to the restrictive nature of the Infant Brace, you should check the circulation of the arm that is being held by the brace. The brace itself cannot monitor or respond to any abnormal circulation in your baby. Parents and caregivers are responsible to check their baby’s circulation to avoid damage and/or amputation of the arm.

After wearing the brace directly against the skin, your baby may have some red marks that mimic the pattern of the material. This is normal and is not harmful. If your baby's fingers begin to turn blue, this is a sign that your baby’s circulation is being cut off – gently remove and readjust the brace if this happens.

Follow these guidelines to avoid any potential harm to your baby:

  • Avoid bunching of the material on your baby’s body
  • Pay close attention to the armpit area
  • Keep the brace smooth and flat on your baby’s skin
  • Check for good circulation of the hand
  • Watch the color and capillary refill (both explained below) before applying the brace

Checking Baby's Color

Check the color of your baby’s hand before the brace is on. Pay attention to what a "normal" coloring is for your baby.

Check the color 5 minutes afterward for any changes in the color of your baby's hand. If a bluish color has developed on the skin, check for any bunching in the brace.  If there is any, adjust the brace and check again.

If the hand continues to have a bluish color, remove the brace and contact your healthcare provider to have your baby’s circulation checked with the Infant Brace on.

Specialty sizing may be available upon request. Please contact us if the Infant Brace is not large enough for your baby.

Checking Baby's Capillary Refill

When you check the capillary refill of your baby, you’re checking the amount of time it takes for the smallest blood vessels to refill with blood after pressure is applied. Generally, capillary refill time should be 3 seconds or less.

Before testing for the capillary refill, check the temperature of your baby’s hand. If the hand is cold, warm your baby to a “normal” temperature.

After making sure their hand is a normal temperature, press a finger against your baby’s lower arm. Using a medium-hard pressure, hold for 5 seconds. Your baby’s skin should turn white beneath your finger. 

Let go and count the seconds it takes for your baby's skin to return to its normal color. Normal color should return in 3 seconds or less. If it takes longer than 3 seconds for your baby's hand to return to a normal color, check your baby’s temperature again. Watch for any bunching and readjust the brace if needed. After doing this, recheck the capillary refill time once more.

If your baby's hand still does not turn back to normal within 3 seconds, remove the brace and contact your healthcare provider to have your baby checked with the Infant Brace on.

Specialty sizing may be available upon request. Please contact us if the Infant Brace is not large enough for your baby.