Nicole chats to Janet, the creator of the Happy Strap. The Happy Strap was designed as an aid for infants and children with hypotonia (low muscle tone) to assist the control of ligament laxity and joint flexibility in the hips. A degree of stability is given to the hips by the Happy Strap and this greatly assists in stabilising little bodies and helping them through their developmental milestones of sitting, crawling and walking. Worn while sleeping it counteracts any tendency of the legs to splay.The Happy Strap may be worn either over or under clothing, day and night. It is recommended that “pre-walkers” wear the Happy Strap over their clothes and then under clothes once walking. The adjustable Happy Strap is available in various colours and sized from newborn.
The same principle demonstrated in the sitting position applies to the walking base – reducing a broadbase to a more normal walking gait.
The Happy Strap also facilitates the automatic bending of the knees when walking.
Because the Happy Strap keeps the hips in the right position in relation to the legs, the ankles do not roll the feet inward on the instep as they tend to do when walking with a broad base.