How to stop trach pulling

[trach mom]

Kyrsten is now 9 months old and obsessed with her trach. Everytime she gets agitated or upset, she starts pulling at it. It is getting very scary. She pulled it out for the very first time on Wed. That was so scary. I know there is probably no way to stop her but I thought some of you may have gone through this. Do they ever stop messing with it? It seemed like she become aware of her trach only after she started wearing the passy muir valve.

[p's mom]

P has been a trach puller for about a year. No he's not still pulling it out on a regular basis. LOL http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

It started about the same time as with your daughter. We were really promoting wearing the valve. I think with the new vocalization and the new way of breathing it brought a big interest to the "trach area". Also if he was mad at me or trying to get my attention he'd pull it out too. I found that the way I reacted to him really influenced the amount of times he'd pull it. In the beginning all you want to do is freak and get it back in. After all the trach is suppose to be in the neck not out. LOL!!! As it happens more, and you get over the initial shock, you learn that it will be ok and you can get it back in. This is how we learned that Parker was doing better, (his cords and airway) because it would be out for a little longer then during a trach change. We saw a big difference at this point.

I wanted to add that we tried different ties, chains and tightening his ties to the point sometimes I felt his head would pop off. Ha, Ha. None of this worked for us. I saw the biggest results from my reaction to him doing it. Wait til she moves on to undoing the trach ties and the whole trach and ties are gone. That has been his newest thing.

I'm not meaning to make light of this or that it isn't a serious thing, only that the way we react to them can really make a difference. I have had to laugh a little with this or I believe I'd of had a heart attack. If I can help anymore let me know. Take Care.
P's MOM
http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[trach mom]

CathyJill-
I am wondering if Toby Trachesaurus is the one that you can send off for at the Passy Muir Company?
I am going to look it up in the stuff that came with it.

[p's mom]

Just wanted to add that you can make anything or anydoll a trached one. We have a trached Bob the Builder. He's P's Buddy. http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Just cut the trach tube off and put a tie on it and voila a trached Bob!!! LOL.

P's MOM

[trach mom]

Thanks for the idea. I am going to make a trached Pooh Bear!

http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Ardyth Geldart]

Hi, we put an old trach in one of Shealees dolls.We cut a little hole in the neck,stuck it in and tied it on with a chain.Shealee is obsessed with suctioning so while we are suctioning her she suctions her doll. Also it is a good tool for explaining and showing a trach change. http://www.twinEnterprises.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Olga]

Hi
Grace pulled on her trachy for a while, but now she is older - 22 months, she has lost interest. I found that by making an issue of it it made things worse. I suggets you try and distract Kyrsten by giving her a toy to play with and she will soon forget about playing with her trachy.
Good luck
Olga

[trach mom]

HI! Of course I don't mind you jumping in. That is what we're here for!!! You should post an introduction of you and your daughter so you can connect with others with the same problem.

Kim