The “широк повој” dilemma: To use or not to use?

First of all let me explain what is “широк повој”, also known as “широко повивање” or “дупли повој”. The term is used to describe something which would be most closely translated as large swaddling of a baby. I couldn’t find any more adequate term in English, since today's Western world (English speaking environment) is not familiar with this concept at all.

The “широк повој” means using prefold diapers (square shaped cotton diapers) called “тетра пелени” in order to prevent some orthopedic problems. The concept of “широк повој” is related to the belief that the Balkan is an endemic geographic area where more children are born with hip-bone problems. Today it is used only partially in Macedonia and Serbia, and only as a result of recommendations of some old-school doctors.

Old school: The belief in the Balkan countries is that the newborns should wear 2-3 prefold diapers to tightly hold baby’s legs wide open, because of a strange myth of a genetic predisposition of babies born on this geographical area for hip-bones anomalies. However, the “new school” pediatricians will deny this myth explaining that this is a theory from 40 years ago, and they will recommend using only disposable diapers, such as Pampers, Nunny’s, Bekutan, Violeta, Diapers, Huggies… Read Dr. Goran Vidoeski’s explanation.

Nevertheless, I tried to find some studies that will confirm the thesis of the Balkan predisposition of hip anomalies at babies, but all I have found was recommendations based on a tradition: my grandma has used them, and my mom has used them. And we all turned just fine, so it is safer to use широк повој for my baby, I have nothing to lose…

So, if you were delivered in some of the state hospitals (Државна болница, Чаир...), the doctors for sure have recommended you using “широк повој”, and if you were born in а private hospital, you have probably never used such prefold diapers, and you were completely lost when the Патронажна Сестра (another term that I don’t know how to translate: a nurse sent by the State Hospital to check on you) told your mom that you must wear these silly, fat diapers. And why they still recommend them in the 21st century? Simply because someone hasn’t updated the books for 40 years, so it still remains as official policy of the state gynecology clinics.

In case of such dilemma, your parents should consult a orthopedist, who will recommend using or not using широк повој based on examinations.

If you want to read more on these “широк повој” controversy and other moms’ experiences, go to these forums: Родители и деца 1, Родители и деца 2, Вие и вашето дете, Рингераја...

Today, you can find also prefold (cotton or wool) easy-to-use eco diapers that are not широк повој, but normal повој. Unfortunately, they are not available on our market yet.

My mom puts only disposable diapers only (Pampers Sleep&Play) and I feel fine.