Oxygen baby and development

[Cassalina]

Hi there sn mums,

I wondered if there were any mums out there who have cared for an oxygen baby and have seen delays in their development? DD has been on oxygen for 9 months (since birth - full time up to 6 months and night time to 9 months). She is now ten months and has some developmental delays. The oxygen therapy has been necessary due to an undiagnosed lung problem since birth - hoping though it is just a virus that has caused some scarring rather than anything scarier.

Her development is slow - limited rolling, no crawling, no sitting, no babbling, problems with food! All the fun stuff?:D

Are there any mums who have had bubs on oxygen and noticed delays? She is receiving physio/ot/speech therapy, but it's always good to hear advice from other mums who have been there! :wave:

[Lastcenturymum]

Just saw the title so popped in to comment.

My first was on oxygen for first two weeks of her life due to being prem and having Hylands Membrane Disease. She never had to be fully ventilated though. It took a few days for her to finally get off the last few %.

I wasn't aware it could cause any delays (Drs kinda don't mention it directly) but my mother was watching her development like a hawk apparently.

She is fine and had no issues, I don't think the face she didn't walk till 17 months had anything to do with it. She was just very content.

Second bub only had some jaundice but she was the one who had some delays and learning issues...go figure.

All the best for your bub - and just keep 'fighting' for the help and assistance you need, it's not easy and is tiring. :hugs:

[naiwen]

Hi there,

DS just graduated of night O2, he is 13 months old. He has feeding issues but we think those are due to an oral aversion from being tubed.

He has had isolated developmental delays eg he could crawl before he could sit up.

The other thing bubs with oxygen requirements have to cope with is working harder on their breathing and trying to do new things which is a lot of work iykwim.

He slept a lot and still does.

HTH!

[Cassalina]

Thanks for your responses - Naiwen it is helpful to know that your bub also has an oral aversion. DD has been poked and proded on a daily basis for 9 months so it may be she just wants full control of what happens around her mouth now! I can hardly blame her. Also good advice on reduced lung capacity making it harder to do things.

Thanks again guys - nice to know I'm not alone!:yes:

[angellina]

hi cassalina
my little boy is on oxygen at night he has been diagonsed with a unknown lung problem too hopefully he will grow out of it
his development is really good and has improved since being on the oxygen which he started at 6 months and is now one
he sleeps lots too eating really seems hard work for him so i try and give him smaller meals more often so he doesnt have to work so hard at it
nice to meet others in the same boat
how do you get on with the nasal prongs? my little one has just discovered he can pull them out then eat the tape yummm

[nev]

Hi Cassalina,

My DS has been on full time O2 for past 5 months (he's 16 months old now) after diagnosis of a lung condition. His development has been mostly on track for his corrected age (he was 6 weeks prem) and I figure that the O2 means that he has more energy for learning new skills. It's great for your little one that you're accessing services from physio etc.

Angellina my DS seems to be used to the nasal prongs now, he even pushes them back in when they come out! They bother him only when he has a cold.

Naiwen - congrats to your DS on graduating, that's very exciting!

[angellina]

Angellina my DS seems to be used to the nasal prongs now, he even pushes them back in when they come out! They bother him only when he has a cold.

aw how cute!

[Cassalina]

Sorry Angellina - no advice on the tapes I'm afraid. DD wasn't really capable of ripping them out - she was about 8-9 months when we stopped oxygen and hadn't cottoned onto it yet.

We've been continuing to get her moving as much as possible, and I have to get used to leaving her on the floor and letting her work out how to get to her toys. I had a bad habit of jumping at her every cry to help her out. Now I have to be cruel to be kind, so to speak. ;) Eating is getting better slowly as I have completely given up on spoons and let her eat only finger food. No point fighting it!

Nev - It must be really hard at that age to be on oxygen as they just want to be moving around! How do you do it!!