Gastroschisis/fussiness suggestions?

Specialties NICU

Published

Can anyone offer any magic tricks to calm chronic abdominal kids that cry all the time? I know that fussiness tends to come with the territory for a lot of these guys, but we currently have a ~65 day old gastroschisis kid that is about to drive the whole unit to drink. For the most part it's a frequent cry that ranges from mildly colicky to utterly frantic.

We've tried a few different things. Here are some of the things that seemed to work at least for a little bit, but there has been no lasting success with any of these:

** Lots of holding, rocking, burping, singing, the basics...

** Holding in the prone position across the nurse's lap

** Placing her in her vibrating bouncer seat

** Using our foot to rock the bouncer with a little bit of force

** Placing her in her car seat/stroller and letting her watch Dr. Seuss

** Tight swaddling with an extra blanket roll that encircles her head

** We're on Mylicon and Reglan

I know that there are more things that we've tried, but those are the ones that come to mind. Any additional suggestions?

No news yet. I haven't had her the last couple of weekends, and my assignments have been busy enough where I haven't really been able to talk to whoever does have her.

She does seem to like her vibrating bouncer, especially when we (shhh) lightly stomp on it and simulate a mechanical bull. I know I've seen swings before, but I'll have to check on whether our unit has access to one currently. Bath night was interesting. She took a good two-hour nap, but had a terrible time the rest of the night.

She's very close to discharge now, but I've appreciated all of the suggestions. These kids really do require a team effort, and the next time we have one, I'll be sure to look back here for the great hints.

Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

We usually have at least 4 gastros on our floor (before they get moved to gut stepdown!) We're the gastro capital of the country.

Utilize every member of the staff that is able to, to take turns. Most of the gut kids are stable and can be off monitors, so handing them off to unit clerks for a couple hours works nicely. UCs like it 'cause they get to hold babies that they normally don't get to do, and nurses get a break!

Plus, we have a rule, no crying at the desk. *LOL* Most babies seem to follow it. They know if they cry at the desk, back they go to their crib.

Specializes in NICU.

I wish we could let our unit clerks cuddle the babies, they'd love that and so would we! But they're always too dang busy.

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