United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My sitter will be going back to work in about 6 weeks she took time off to help me with my little one because we both knew that the first few months would be the most critical ones. So, when i was talking about this to my sons ot she said that he does not need the ROMs done all the time that just once in the pm would be enough. Because i was telling her that a lady would come to my house and watch my son but she would want extra $$ because he needed extra care so she says. The ot suggested daycare and i said i don't trust daycare i don't want him to be put aside and "forgotten" and not have his ROMs done. that is when she said he don't need it but once a day. what do you think? I wish i could just quit but cannot afford it at this time. Thanks,
-----Paula

I am not sure how old your son is so my answer may not apply. My daughter is 4 and for last couple of years we have only done ROMs in the evening - once a day, for an hour. She also goes to OT once a week. In the early years we did every diaper change and OT/PT 4 times a week. Her OT gets a good feel of how she is doing week to week and let's me know of any problem area I might need to spend more time on. We get a strong workout in each night, plus all the play and active therapy she does on her own by just being an active 4 year old. Hope this helped a little. I would think as long as your OT is monitoring your son's status, he should do fine. And if you feel once a day is not enough, maybe you could do quick ROMs in the morning before work, when you get home, then a strong session at night. Best of Luck.

Paula, my daughter anna who is now almost two was born with right BPI.. we began therapy on her when she was two months old.. the doctor said to make it a habit to do ROM each time I changed her diaper, or while I was holding her or playing with her to sit and just move her arm, hand and fingers.. early on she spent a great deal of time on the floor playing.. now at almost two, every chance I get to get in some ROM even for five minutes we do it..a couple times a day.. I've found the best time is while she is distracted, she hates having her arm messed with.. sometimes we make a game out of it so she giggles through it, of coarse I'm acting silly and making faces at her the entire time..
anyway ask your sitter whats a extra five minutes during a diaper change to do ROM or while shes playing with him to do ROM.. she should change him at least four times in a eight hour day, thats 20 minutes of ROM.. your not asking that much of her!!
not all daycares are bad.. anna goes to one two or three days a week to be around other kids her age, we're building her social skills and shes having a blast!!
best of luck..
marg

Paula,
You might look into an "in-home" care option. It is a lot like day care but usually less kids and the ones I have been involved with are more willing to bend over backwards for your child's needs.
Kristie

I forgot to mention that by "in-home" I mean in the home of the caretaker not in your home. Often times you can find these place by word of mouth, newpaper, phone book, or day care licenceing/ referal agencies.
Or you could talk to a friend who might happen to be a stay home mom. I have several times "babysat" on a long term basis for friends. It is nice to have the extra money and I still get to stay home.
Kristie

Jally Aaron is 5 mos old and i feel like if i don't get him the therapy then in the future if something "goes wrong" then i will regret it. Well i suppose I could try a daycare setting.