Blind new parents. Biggest challenge ever!

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.

What ever advice I can can get would be sooo helpful. At work last night, I took care of a totally blind couple that had their first baby. Both are college educated and have been blind since birth. Mom is breastfeeding and doing OK but having a difficult time with positioning, etc. The baby is an excellent little nurser once she gets in the proper position with proper latch on. Anyway, our biggest challenge is teaching them how to change diapers, bathe the baby, etc. Did a trial run with wet diapers, having them feel a dry diaper first, using the umbilicus as a landmark, etc and they did OK. I'm concerned as to how they will change a dirty diaper and know whether they've cleaned all the stool, etc. They will get a bath demo today. They have been sooo independent all their lives that they want minimal assistance from the nurses. We are frustrated because we are trying our best to teach approopriately without offending them. We were going to call the local blind association to see if there is someone that could come to the hospital and teach them (and us) the best way of doing things but they refuse. They live together and have parents that occasional visit so there is no consistent help ant home. Sorry this so long. Any advice????????????

Specializes in School Nursing.

no advice here, but i wanted to say "god bless you" for all you are doing for this couple. they surely will have their work cut out for them.

praiser :heartbeat

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Sounds to me like they've got it together. Sighted moms sometimes have trouble getting just the right position too. As far as if the little one is clean enough, fingers are pretty sensitive about feeling if the skin is smooth or still has "stuff" stuck on.

Try being up front: "I don't want to offend you but I really want to be sure I've taught you all I can. How do you think you'll know if the baby is clean?". :up:

Specializes in LTC/ rehab/ dialysis.

They should be fine. I trained a blind man to do his own peritoneal dialysis at home. The training look considerably longer than training other patients with vision, but he's doing great. I agree with the prior poster, honesty is best.

Years ago, my babysitter was totally blind... she had 3 kids of her own, and treated my daughter like one of the family... I never had to worry about the care my daughter received, she was always happy and spotless when I picked her up... My sitter would just run a warm little bath in the sink to clean my baby when she poo'ed, cleaned her up, and put a fresh diaper on her... and yes, she disinfected the sink afterward... She was wonderful, went back to school for her degree in child development.

Specializes in ER.

The local blind association refused to help? (WTH?)

Do these new parents know other blind parents that they could call on as the baby gets more independence? There must be internet support groups too.

I would approach it by asking them how they cope with the challenges that come up. Have them teach me about coping with vision loss, and less about what will you do if...? I would never want to have them feel doubt from the healthcare team, just confidence that they will be able to come up with a solution. The more support they feel the more likely they will be to bring up their concerns, now and in the future.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Sounds like a case of the blind leading the blind..

Just joking had to say it lol :D Good luck with this tho.

Specializes in Telemetry & Obs.

As the parent of a totally blind daughter and friend of many it sounds as if they're doing GREAT at taking care of the baby. Maybe you're a little more worried than they are??

Good for you, though, for being concerned.

Specializes in Med/Surg. for now.

Here is a response "from the other side". My father was blind since 2 years old so my whole life he was blind. I am one of four children that he had. He did everything that my Mom did for us. He worked and she was a stay at home Mom but I never remember him shying away from any care. My brother is 8 years younger so I do remember when he was a baby also. He was a auto mechanic (graduated from a trade school) and a medical transcriber (and as you other nurses know, that really translated into "almost a doctor" when it came to taking care of him before he died...LOL). I think they will do fine, and they will ask for help when they need it. Good for them!! And good for you for wanting to give them the very best of care. :yeah::redpinkhe:yeah::redpinkhe:yeah:

Specializes in L&D, PP, Nursery.
The local blind association refused to help? (WTH?)

Do these new parents know other blind parents that they could call on as the baby gets more independence? There must be internet support groups too.

I would approach it by asking them how they cope with the challenges that come up. Have them teach me about coping with vision loss, and less about what will you do if...? I would never want to have them feel doubt from the healthcare team, just confidence that they will be able to come up with a solution. The more support they feel the more likely they will be to bring up their concerns, now and in the future.

I'm sorry (wrote the thread off night shift). The parents refused the referral to the blind association. We don't really doubt the competency of the parents as they have been extremely independent all their lives. The frustration lies with the nurses in trying to teach the easiest way taking care of their baby (who will also be blind).

+ Add a Comment