Parents of children of any age often wonder about moving techniques. Some are very cautious, while things can become rushed later, and safety might be overlooked. These are all natural occurrences, so reviewing issues for safely moving your child can be good.
There are some differences in moving a recently injured child versus a child with a disease. There may be safety issues for a newly injured individual that include protection of the spine (usually called spinal precautions) or specifically head injury-related issues that may include the level that their head can be raised. Children with progressive neurological diseases may have more restrictions as their disease progresses or even have fewer restrictions as their bodies grow and become stronger. Children with stable neurological conditions may maintain the same precautions throughout their lives.
You might be wondering about the best way to move your child. It is extremely important that you follow instructions from your healthcare professionals including doctors, registered nurses, and therapists. What is right for the issues concerning your child may be different from what you see others doing.
Head size: Infant head size is much larger in proportion to their bodies than with older children and teens. The spine needs to be kept in alignment with the head and back. A towel can be folded and placed under the child’s body to keep the spine aligned. This should only be done with your child’s healthcare professional’s advice.
Swaddling: can be used when moving small children to prevent limbs from being pulled or pushed under the body. When moving any aged child, never pull on the limbs to move the body weight. This can damage or dislodge joints.
Review Transfer Technique: As your child grows, change your movement strategy as they become heavier. Advance as your child grows.
Talking: Be sure you are talking with your child to inform them of what you are doing so they can assist as they are able. This will help with the transition to more independence as well as for them to learn to provide instructions to other caregivers in their lives.
Equipment: Gait belts, draw sheets, transfer boards, transfer discs, sit-to-stand devices, lifts, slings, and ceiling tracks, among other devices, can help with safety for your child and you. When obtaining transfer equipment, look for features that will grow with your child. Growth spurts can make a new piece of equipment obsolete overnight. In some communities, parent groups exchange equipment once their child has outgrown it.
Medication Review: Be sure to check pain and tone (spasticity) medications to ensure they are still appropriate for the age and size of your child. Control of discomfort will greatly assist with movement in transfers, turns, and exercise.
Parents and Guardians: Since there is so much focus on your child and the desire to meet their needs, parents and guardians often overlook their own needs. It is not uncommon to see parents or guardians lifting their adult child in the same way they lifted their toddler. As your child grows, adapt your techniques to their size. Through the years, your muscles adapt to their growth. However, there comes a time for all of us not to be overexerting our bodies in this way.
Today, there are more opportunities to obtain advanced transfer equipment due to parents’ aging and health issues. Be sure to discuss this with your child’s healthcare professionals as they can be of great assistance in helping to obtain movement equipment for the child or adult patient. This equipment is more commonly obtained through the child’s health plan.
Moving your child is a process that needs to be reviewed with age. Consider in combination both the needs of your child and your health issues.