What should the mother of an infant in a Pavlik harness be counseled on regarding the harness?

For an infant in a Pavlik harness, it is essential to ensure their comfort and skin integrity. Advising the mother to have a shirt worn under the harness serves multiple purposes. First, it creates a protective barrier between the harness and the infant's skin, which helps prevent potential irritation or rash that could occur due to friction or moisture. Second, a shirt can help in maintaining warmth and comfort for the infant, which is important for their overall well-being.

The Pavlik harness is typically used to treat conditions such as developmental dysplasia of the hip, and while it is designed to keep the baby's hips in the correct position, it can sometimes cause chafing or irritation if there is direct contact with the skin without any protective clothing. Therefore, wearing a shirt underneath provides an additional safeguard against these potential issues, promoting better adherence to the treatment plan and ensuring the infant's comfort throughout the duration of harness wear.