Stimulation, rocking, head banging etc
Sally Edsall (SEDSALL@nswtf.org.au)
Tue, 2 Apr 1996 14:35:16 GMT+10
Since I wrote the last post about Ben's head banging, I've realised
that in the last few months it's reduced considerably.
I too had a
similar experience as Tammy with Ben wanting "vigorous rocking and
patting".
When he was in hospital, minus all the bits and pieces, but in one of
those ordinary perspex beds, cots, bassinets, whatever they're
called, the ones on a frame and wheels, sometimes the only way to get
him back to sleep was to vigorously push it back and forth.
When he came home and he often screamed the place down for 7 or 8
hours at a time, and Piero wore holes in his socks, shoes and carpets
pacing back and forth, we bought one of those low baby rockers, a
reclining, padded chair low to the ground, sat him in it, then one of
us sat
behind him and rocked it HARD back and forth, back and forth. I
wished so much I had a motor on it sometimes! It worked, and he's
sleep in it for a couple of hours at a time (oh joy, oh bliss, we
could watch TV for a bit, or read the paper).
I would thoroughly recommend giving it a try anyone experiencing
difficulties. It wasn't too expensive, in the run of baby stuff that
is, and maybe you could borrow one from somewhere if it sounds like
it would help.
When he could sit up and hold his head up, a wind-up swing achieved
the same effect, until he got old enough to be able to reach out and
grab the sides and so stop its motion.
Sally
> After Taylor came home, the only way he would calm down was with lots of
> noise and movement. I used to put him in his car seat, which had a rounded
> base, and rock for hours. (we didn't have a swing yet) He would fuss if I
> stopped for even an moment. Also, if I was holding him, I couldn't just pat
> his back, I had to pound, just like in the respiratory therapists did in the
> NICU. Many people, like my mom, would comment that I was 'patting a little
> hard', so I would prove that he preferred it hard, I would pat softer, and he
> would immediately fuss. I remember once while waiting for an appointment, I
> was 'patting' his back, a nurse walked by, smiled and said, "must be a
> preemie, they all love 'the rough stuff'."
>
> He had to have noise and light when he went to sleep too. We slowly weaned
> him off of the noise, but he still has a light in his room.
>
> So for all of you with little ones still in the NICU, be prepared, when they
> come home, they *crave* a lot of stimulation. They are used to all the noise
> and fuss going on around them. That's all they have ever known, so to them
> it's normal. So if you want them to sleep, put their beds next to a TV or
> radio.
>
> As for Taylor's SI therapy now. This is the main thing that the OT is working
> on because we believe that most of the delay's he has, is directly attributed
> to is tactile defensiveness. For instance, he only will hold and touch
> things with the very tips of his fingers. So he doesn't scribble because he
> hold the pen very stable. He won't take his clothes off cause he barely
> touches the fabric, and doesn't get a good hold.
>
> His therapy includes time in a pool of dried beans, and plastic balls. He is
> stripped down to his diaper for maximum skin contact (we did have to work up
> to this). Some of his favorite toys are buried in the beans or balls to
> encourage him reaching his hands into it.
>
> He usually spends time in a swing. It is a big platform swing, about 3 feet
> by 3 feet. The therapist swings, tips and spins the swing. This also helps
> him with his balance. He never did like the BIG RED BALL, so this is the
> only way the OT can work on his upper body strength.
>
> The OT also uses a vibrator, and touches various parts of his body. Starting
> with the feet and working up.
>
> At home, we do brushing, joint compression, massage, lots of tickling, face
> massage with wash clothes. I try off an on to get him to touch 'gooey
> stuff'.
> I put him in his chair with a tray and put applesauce, peanut butter, and
> honey on the tray. Still haven't had any luck getting him to touch it
> without going crazy.
>
> BTW- Sunday, with dad home, he played in the sand box again, and this time,
> he was even in shorts!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Just wanted to relay a story... Last Tuesday I had some minor eye surgery.
> Before the surgery, I kept thinking that before I went home I needed to ask a
> nurse if she could get me some brushes (the ones we all used to scrub with
> before entering the NICU), because the one that I have is worn. Well, as I
> was waking up, the nurse handed me a bag of them, and said, "you really use
> these for stimulation?" I said yes, (sort of bewildered). Then she said to
> take good care of my little guy. Evidently, while I was 'going under', I
> talked about Taylor and asked for the brushes. I have absolutely no memory
> of this. The nurse said that they thought at first that I wasn't responding
> to the anesthesia, cause I was talking so much.
> Pretty strange.
>
> Tammy,
> Mom to Taylor (28wks-now almost 3), angel Alex, and Travis (37wks-now 17 mo)
> wife to Gary (home from sea duty until June)
>