Found a Peanut

Specialties NICU

Published

This is going to sound crazy, however I'm posting this in all seriousness.

We have all had those infants who are going through withdrawal or for some other reason get so worked up to the point where they are inconsolable. I have found that when I sing the song Found a Peanut to them they at least calm down enough to take the pacifier or a bottle. Perhaps I am crazy, some coworkers would agree, but my observation has been that this works for me in the majority of situations. It calms the infant down enough until some other more long lasting intervention can be started, whether it be to give meds, get a bottle ready, etc.

Now I don't know if it's that they are terrified by the sound of my voice or what, but that is the only song I have found works. Maybe it's the tone of my voice the song brings out, perhaps a different song for someone else. Thought this was an interesting observation to post and wondered if any of you have had similar observations. If not maybe you'll at least get a chuckle out of the idea.

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I thought this thread was going to be about a coworker stealing your peanuts and you found one in an incriminating place, so you were asking advice on how to confront the peanut thief! Now we know what song little babies like!

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

To me, a 'peanut' is someone between 1500-2500g or thereabouts. The 32+ weekers or the term SGA-ers.

I was really worried, wondering who had lost the peanut and where you found him/her. Much to my relief, this is about a song! I will test your theory out next time I have an NAS kid. :)

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Specializes in pediatrics; PICU; NICU.

Well now I'll have that song stuck in my head all day!

Glad you found something that works for you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I have quite a few NICU grads in pdn that have their moments of restless inconsolably. One its itsy bitsy spider. One its you are my sunshine. One its whatever Disney song that pops into my head (not bad for a 7 year old who started life at 507g!!!) or on top of spaghetti

My current youngest client calms if I use a raspy voice to say "oh really let me tell you about my day." & "Are you kidding me buddy you're not an owl humans sleep at night!" He laughs and calms down

I will have to try the peanut song. I have a former NICU kiddo tonight that's been having a serious change in status lately. Anything to calm the nervous system in overdrive lately.

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I'm afraid I will have to hear you sing it to state an informed opinion :). I think we all find the little "tricks" that help our patients. It's nice to share them with each other.. never know what might help another nurse out.

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

I started singing the song as soon as I read the thread title. Now I'll have to go and share it with others..... Glad you found something that works. You're doing special work there.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health, Home Care.

As a school nurse, of course I thought the thread was about someone (gasp) violating the NO PEANUT rule in school!!!!

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Specializes in Acute Care Pediatrics.
As a school nurse, of course I thought the thread was about someone (gasp) violating the NO PEANUT rule in school!!!!

The first thing I thought was - WHO ATE PEANUTS NEAR THE ALLERGIC KID?!?!??! :D

I often sing to the littles that are screaming. It doesn't do much for them... but I have been told that I sound like a dying cat. So there's that. :) But hey, if Found a Peanut works for you - don't stop doing what you're doing! :D

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Specializes in family practice and school nursing.

I thought the same thing!

As a school nurse, of course I thought the thread was about someone (gasp) violating the NO PEANUT rule in school!!!!
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Specializes in CVOR, CVICU/CTICU, CCRN.

Great story! Don't take it personally though, but I kind of hate you now since the song will be stuck in my head for the rest of my shift . . . :)

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Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.
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