My 17-month old baby-girl spent 5-hours in the ER hooked up to IVs because she was dehydrated after throwing up for three hours due to a virus. Ever since then she has not been sleeping well.
When we were at the hospital she kept screaming for her cup because she was thirsty and screaming for a cracker because she was hungry. She also kept saying “I need Mama” when they were hooking her up to the IVs.
Every night since them she says “I need Mama” and “cup cup cup” in her sleep and cries. Any advise on what I can do to help my little one get over her traumatic experience?
Comfort her by giving her a soft stuffed animal and tell her its name is mama. It is very traumatic to be in the hospital for anyone especially a child getting IV's
Your daughters traumatic experience is over. You have to believe that and convey it with your steadiness: not with guilt or fear or empathy. Matter of factly.
The Bernstein Bears have a book about a stay in the hospital. Give a synopsis of each page and end with... and the baby is all-better and is home with Momma bear now.
Tell her the hospital helped her when she was sick. (Explain the IV and that she was drinking through the tube in her arm and that is why they didn't give her a cup to drink.) and now she is all-better. (Y'know like...Thank you hospital, Bye bye hospital, all gone.) She doesn't have to go back there. She is home with Momma and here is her cup. I would give her the empty cup to remind her she is home and everything is ok. Tell her in the morning you will fill it up. If she misses her cup when she is sleeping, she can wake up and it will be right here. See how that goes.
I explained everything to my daughter when she was a baby and things you'd think she wouldn't understand; she had a good grasp of.
Good Luck,
Gale
Hi C.: She is just scared remembering what happened. She will eventually get back to normal. All you can do is be there to reassure her that she is alright.
My little boy was scared for a year after the 1989 earthquake. He doesn't even remember anymore how scared he was. At least not consciously.
One thing that can help a little one get thru a stressful time, is increased physical contact with you during the day. The easiest way I know of to do this is to use a good quality carrier - my favorites are my German wraps, because they are the most cozy and snuggly. Other moms like mei tai carriers like Babyhawk, or structured carriers like an Ergo. www.thebabywearer.com is a good place to find gently used carriers at at good price if you do not yet have one you like. It is also a great place to converse with other moms who babywear. I would bet that there are probably other moms there who have been in similar situations, as well.
I have had good success for different issues with my son using a method called EFT (emotional freedom technique). It is sort of a combination of acupressure and positive psychology/affirmations. I have used it myself with excellent results. It's very simple to learn. I learned from the free download they offer at www.emofree.com, and taught my son to do it by watching videos on it at youtube.
The last thing I can suggest is what I did with my oldest son as he was going through multiple surgeries after an accident as a child. He would have trouble after I put him to bed because all the scary things would start to replay in his mind. I would sit with him as I tucked him in and tell him ideas of fun positive things (all his favorite things) to think about before he fell asleep.
spend more night time with her. during the day give her, her cup and tell her "here is your cup", and put watered down apple juice in her cup and cuddle her more than usual. ER experiences are traumatic- its just reality. so sorry she had such a hard time- but it is understandable why she did...give her your emotional"juice" as a mama and more time with you and a full cup of juice in her cup in a safe way...this is all i can offer- hope it works...
My daughter had surgery at 10 months, and she too had difficulties afterwards with being peaceful and sleeping well. You just have to reassure her each time she gets anxious.-rub her head or her back and softly tell that you are right there, that she is home now. It just takes alittle time and extra TLC, but she will soon be back to her normal self.
I like to use flower essences for recovery from trauma as well as emotional disturbances/issues. (which we all have!)Perhaps this would help you & your daughter...
I have used Rescue Remedy/Five flower formula for traumas & stress...you can look it up on the web on google or any search engine, or checking the website for the flower essence society (it is a ".org"). It is a homeopathic-type remedy, not essential oils or fragrance. It can be taken internally (a couple drops under the tongue), put in body lotion for massage at bedtime, in the bath, or in a mister spray. It is safe & has no side effects, which is why it's great for kids.
Rescue Remedy is available widely at most health food stores & co-ops.
Another remedy I like to use with my son is "kinder-garden" by the Flower Essence Society, you can purchase it from them directly. It has a combination of many flower essences helpful for the challenges of childhood. My son loves it when he gets upset, or isn't sleeping well/has a nightmare (he is 3).
Feel free to email me if I can give you any more info that might be helpful. Take care, & be well! H.
Hi C.,
Your presence and comfort needs to be there for her more than ever right now. She is afraid that even the whole thing will start over.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through all of that, it can be very exhausting.....I know, as I've been through a Meningitis scare when one of my boys was that age. We had a 5 day hospital stay, IV's and Spinal Taps....scary and exhausting to hold up the strength as "the mom".
I remember holding him to sleep after it was all over. He just needed to be reassured that he was "safe" again. It took a short while, and he talked about it alot. But, at 11yrs old, doesn't remember the whole thing.....
I'm sure your daughter will seem to do the same. And when she DOES talk about it, you should always say "yes, we went to see the Dr's and they made you feel better....but, you're not sick anymore...Yay!!!!" Something to remind her that she isn't sick like that anymore and doesn't have to worry.
I'm sure things are getting better even before your responses came in :o)
Sweet Dreams.....
:o) N.
She is so young, but you can just reassure her every time she calls you that you are there, and that she will be fine. When you hear her, go to her, stroke her head and say Mama is here. She will eventually realize it. Believe it or not 17 month olds are extremely resilient. My daughter had a traumatic experience at around the same age, and it just took a little time. Just be patient, and loving, and your baby will be just fine. Good Luck!
Hi C.,
Sleep is very important, statistics say that 1 out of 3 children have problems sleeping. They are finding that sleep issues are a result of behavior conditions, there are natural ways to help with this condition.
I am introduced to a Children's wellness Expo on Aug 2 in Sunnyvale. There will be 13 doctors from around the country sharing alternatives to address the needs of our children today. It is very exciting to have an event like this in the States. They have them in Europe and now here.
If this is something that interests you, email me and I will send you a flier and put you on the guest list as there is limited seating.
Wish you well.
N. Marie
____@____.com
Hi C.,
I'm sorry to hear of your daughter's recent experience in the ER. My son also was hospitalized and required IVs and he, too, had some trouble after. It just took some patience and extra TLC from Mom and Dad at bedtime and often during the night until he got through it, which he ultimately did. I know your daughter will too. I hope she is well now!
