A birth injury refers to any physical harm to a baby before, after, or during the delivery process and can affect the baby or the mother. In babies, these injuries can include several damages like bruising, head injury, or a broken bone.
Many newborns suffer from minor birth traumas that heal with time without any treatment. The healthcare team monitors the newborn and checks for any complications. Other injuries can lead to permanent damage and may require immediate medical attention. Birth injury affects each baby differently, so all parents might not have the same experience when participating in their baby’s care.
Children with birth injuries have special needs. When you have a baby with a birth injury, it can be scary as well as challenging to take care of such a child. Although your baby’s therapists and doctors manage much of their issues, there are some strategies you can count on when you care for your infant suffering from a birth injury.
Here are a few ways to help ensure a healthy lifestyle for your kid with a birth injury.
1 – Understand the Cause of Your Baby’s Birth Injury
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There can be several causes of birth injuries in infants. One is that the midwife or doctor who delivered the child found it difficult to ensure a vaginal delivery either because of the position or head size of the baby. Another cause of birth injury is the usage of tools, such as vacuum or forceps, to pull the newborn out.
No matter the cause, if you believe your baby has undergone a birth injury medical negligence is responsible for, consider taking legal assistance. This will help you become eligible for financial compensation for your infant’s treatment to help them live a healthy and independent life.
2 – Get in Touch with Early Intervention
If your kid has sustained a birth injury, you might want to consider contacting an early intervention to help ensure their healthy development.
Early intervention programs help children to cope with hardships experienced due to disability. They will help your kid reach developmental milestones, such as talking, self-feeding, and walking. These programs offer therapy services to kids and can happen in daycare or at home. The therapies may include
- Occupational therapy to improve fine motor skills, such as picking up little objects
- Physical therapy to enhance gross motor skills, such as walking and sitting
- Speech therapy to help with communication and speech
3 – Take Help with Caregiving
Kids with birth injuries may experience different issues, including swallowing, paralysis or muscle weakness, unusual eye movements, and seizures, and may need medication at set times. As a parent, you can consider having someone to help you with caregiving to share a burden. There are a few options, including
- A Visiting Nurse
Nurse practitioners can help your child with bathing, dressing, giving meals, and medication at specified times. You can ask your kid’s doctor for a recommendation for in-home help.
- Family or Friends
Close family members and friends might often offer help. However, they might not know how. Making a list of tasks they can help you with can be beneficial. Once you make a list, let them opt for what they can do.
- Respite Caregivers
It can help parents get a little break from a hectic schedule. Respite care programs provide short-term care to your child. It can be for a couple of hours each day or longer in the child’s home.
4 – Focus on Your Child’s Diet
Kids with a birth injury may have problems with motor skills, movement, muscle tone, feeding, swallowing, and digestion. Such kids may also have weaker bones, which is one reason they need a nutritious and balanced diet.
Good nutrition can help enhance their growth, circulation, cognition, and immune function. It can also reduce irritability and boost recovery from illness.
Your kid’s doctor may prescribe medication, but a healthy diet is also vital to your child’s overall health. Incorporating vitamin D-rich foods and phosphorous-rich foods in their diet can be beneficial.
5 – Plan Play Dates and Parent Meetups
All kids benefit from play and friendships. As a parent, you can schedule your child’s play date with other children (both with and without disabilities). Tell others how the birth injury affects your kid; you can mention interests. Enroll your kid in a community program like music, art, and sports. You can also consider joining a social group or support program for parents of infants with disabilities.
6 – Be Your Baby’s At-Home Therapist
Therapy does not have to stop when your time slot with physical therapists, doctors, and other healthcare practitioners is over. With guidance from them, if you learn the strategies, you can help your child stretch their muscles, do recommended exercises, build balance, and alleviate their pain.
7 – Keep Them Active
Your infant with a birth injury might not be able to play the same way as their peers, but it is essential to get them moving to their capacity. Help them move, play, walk and run (if they can). Engage them in activities that involve movement. Try teaching new skills to your child and help them learn new things. Being active may improve their cognitive health and strengthen them.
8 – Keep A Bright Perspective
A child with a birth injury may not be able to do things that their friends and siblings can do; however, they should not be sad or concentrate on their limitations and setbacks. Help your kid realize their skills and all the things they can do with or without help. Keeping your child stay positive is important for their mental well-being.
Conclusion
Birth injuries can occur due to physical harm or untreated health conditions around the time of birth. Some injuries heal themselves, while others can be severe, leaving newborns with lifelong disabilities. When your baby is diagnosed with a birth injury, there is a lot to take on. Parents have to figure out childcare, health care, and the best route forward for their baby. It is normal to feel distressed and overwhelmed in such circumstances. However, with certain strategies, you can help ensure a healthy and independent life for your special kid.
