toddler+equipment=cord disaster

Momof2NC · #1 11-08-2009, 09:14 PM

Please give me guidance on how to deal with cords from the pulse ox and the oxygen when learning to walk and then walking? Colton badly wants to walk and is really trying to learn how but these cords are making it very difficult. Any advise from the pro's? THANKS

ericnrosesmom · #2 11-08-2009, 10:42 PM

Probably not much you can do about the oxygen except get a really long cord (we had one that was like 50 feet I think). As to the pulse ox, we cut back to only wearing it at night.

drct1245 · #3 11-08-2009, 11:33 PM

Ayden was stable enough and had obvious signs of distress, so pulse-ox was only for sleeping.

O2 - We have about 40ft of O2 cord, which is enough to go from the the middle of our ranch house to either side (and out the front door a little ways

) We also bought those old mitten clips from a fabric store and put the o2 tubing through the key chain type circle and then used the clip to clip it to the back of his pants so that he didn't clothes line himself when he took off running and to keep it behind him.

It can be done... just start looking around the house and you'll find something.

Ayden was actually on the vent when he learned how to walk - so when he just had the O2, that was much easier.

Trix · #4 11-09-2009, 05:54 AM

We took the handle/backstrap off a backpack - it has a padded part and also and adjustable thingy (sorry) to make the back pack short or long.

We then tapped the oxygen cable to that and put it around Isabelles waist. The oxygen then sits behind her and she doesnt trip.

Just do spot checks for saturation.

Hope this helps.

Tracey

JWorthington · #5 11-09-2009, 06:48 AM

We had about 40 feet of oxygen tubing too - and sats, just spot check. the worry is more at night when you aren't watching him

kadiera · #6 11-09-2009, 08:22 AM

Like they said.....we use the pulse ox when sleeping (particularly now that we're working on sprinting off the vent through morning nap), and for occasional spot checks otherwise.

The oxygen tubing is another story.

We have a 25 foot tube right now, attached to the HME. We're working on tracking down a swivel for that, since Alexander seems to end up tangled in his tubes otherwise (but mobility is totally worth it).

Momof2NC · #7 11-09-2009, 07:17 PM

Thanks for your help! I put the pulse ox in his basket thats taped to his walker. One problem is that the kitchen table gets him tangled...maybe i'll do some moving of furniture tonite!

Niff · #8 11-09-2009, 08:43 PM

Someone suggested this for kids in cribs but I think it might work for you. Pull the tubes through a chain of corregated tubing. That'll keep it from wrapping around things too much.

We also only use the pulse-ox at night and during naps. Honestly, you're not going to get a good reading on it while he's moving around anyway... so it defeats the purpose. KWIM?

Wooders80 · #9 11-10-2009, 05:22 AM

Yep, it is hard work with a toddler on o2. We also had very long tubing, but also used a belt to attach the last bit of tubing too, as this way if Dominic tripped over the tubing, it would tug on the belt rather than his trach. I think if they are walking, if your medical team agree, I'd be tempted to ditch the sats probe and just to spot checks. You don't get good readings when standing on the probe and also if your child is active and running around, this fact in itself probably means their sats are fine.