Preemies

Failed car seat test

Does anyone have any experience with their baby failing the car seat test in the NICU? My Rebecca was born on 2/19/2011 at 33 weeks and 6 days. She was in the NICU for 10 days before being released. She failed the car seat test so she had to go home in a car bed. My concern is that she now has a cold. Just a stuffy nose, no fever. I can't lay her flat because she can't breathe and I can't sit her up because she still can't breathe. Does anyone have any ideas on how I can soothe her and not have her sitting up?

Re: Failed car seat test

  • It sounds like it's been a little while since she was released from the NICU and so she should have gained some weight and should fit the car seat better.

    Allie also has a cold right now, and has some difficulty breathing through her nose.  Have you tried suctioning her nose to get stuff out?  I know we had to go through a couple of different suctioners before we found one that would fit her tiny nostrils.  She hates it when I actually do the suctioning, but once she realizes she can breathe better she stops crying.

    Good luck, I hope your LO feels better soon.

    Warning No formatter is installed for the format bbhtml
  • Loading the player...
  • Our girl was born at 34 weeks and was in the hospital a week before they discussed releasing her.  She failed the car seat challenge the evening before release, so we thought she'd have to stay a few more days.  But the next morning, a more experienced nurse came in and said she wanted to try again with using some blankets and other things to arrange her in the seat.  She passed!  Maybe you could see if someone else could try so she could sit up on the way home?  Just a thought.  If not, I agree with PP - try suctioning her nose a lot.  Good luck!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • She will be retested in two weeks. I actually found a padded insert on a preemie website just for carseats. I think I will try that next time. She has gotten a lot bigger since she was discharged. When I put her on my chest she will lift her head up and look at me so I think she has the strength in her neck now to keep her air way open.

     I think she is at the end of her cold. I only have to suction her twice a day now. I bought one of those Angel care monitors though to calm my nerves.

This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"