Holding vented infants?

[babyNP., APRN]

With the whole discussion on holding babies with central lines, I'm curious what your guys' facility policy is on holding vented patients? I've heard that some units don't allow parents to hold...

Our policy is that if the patient is stable on the vent then parents are allowed to hold and are encouraged to do so, usually skin-to-skin kangaroo care style. We tape the ET tubing to the parent and make sure they understand the importance of keeping the tube in.

IMHO, I think it's important for parents and baby to get that kind of interaction if it's possible.

[Sweeper933]

We pretty much do the same things. As long as they're stable and "having a good day", we allow holding on vents (kangaroo or regular holding when they're bigger...). We also stress the importance of keeping all of the tubing in place, and use lots of tape!

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

If they are stable, sure. Certainly not if they are on a oscillator. I've had moms kangaroo their vented babies for hours.

[texas2007, BSN, RN]

We let the moms hold if the baby is vented/trached and is stable, had a good day, no lines, 'lights or humidity. However sometimes I've heard of some gutsy nurses letting moms hold their unstable oscillator baby if the kid is proly not going to be around too much longer and mom hasn't ever held or it's been a long time since mom has held the baby. Sweet gesture but I'm just too freaked out to do it myself.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

If they are stable, sure. Certainly not if they are on a oscillator. I've had moms kangaroo their vented babies for hours.

This. Some kids are vented for moooooonths ...so otherwise the mom would never get to hold! If they are unstable..then no.

[hikernurse]

Stable vented babies, sure. Oscillator babies aren't held due to policy--and usually they'd be too unstable, anyway. I like to see parents do kangaroo care when they can; it's so good for both baby and mom/dad. And good for lactation, too

I do check out parents first, though. If I have parents who I don't trust to hold the baby, I don't. Some parents tend to fiddle with things to the extent that I worry about extubation--fortunately those parents are in the small minority :).