Transporting newborn after open heart surgery

BookMama

Senior Community Member

• Mar 26, 2010

• #1

My newborn nephew (born on St. Patrick's Day ) has multiple heart defects, and will have open heart surgery when he's three months old. What do we need to know about transporting him after the surgery? I'm assuming that the chest clip would irritate the incision or cause him discomfort. My brother and SIL have a Snug Ride 35 (32?) for him - might they just use that without the chest clip? (They're good about tightening the harness correctly. :thumbsup

He will be at a major hospital near me - I know the SK coordinator there and I'm sure we can work with her on any accommodations that may be needed.

 

M

Maedze

New member

• Mar 26, 2010

• #2

I would be comfortable removing the chest clip in that scenario.

 

steph_s

New member

• Mar 26, 2010

• #3

How long do they plan on keeping the baby in the hospital? I have had 2 kids who have needed heart surgery. The first one was in the hospital for a month and a half which was long enough for his chest to be ok. The second one I asked for an ambulance transport because there was no way to tighten the straps enough even without a chest clip that wouldn't cause him severe pain.

 

BookMama

Senior Community Member

• Mar 26, 2010

• #4

steph_s said:

How long do they plan on keeping the baby in the hospital? I have had 2 kids who have needed heart surgery. The first one was in the hospital for a month and a half which was long enough for his chest to be ok. The second one I asked for an ambulance transport because there was no way to tighten the straps enough even without a chest clip that wouldn't cause him severe pain.

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The current plan is to have him in the hospital for 5-7 days following surgery. They live 1.5 hours from the hospital where the surgery will take place.

 

F

flipper68

Senior Community Member

• Mar 27, 2010

• #5

At 3 months, he might be too big, but a car bed would be an option.

 

BookMama

Senior Community Member

• Mar 28, 2010

• #6

Anyone else have any input?

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Mar 28, 2010

• #7

I agree with no chest clip. You have to play it by ear.

 

mamajava

Senior Community Member

• Mar 28, 2010

• #8

My nephew had 3 open heart surgerys. He has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. After each surgery, he was fine with the chest clip and the tightening of the straps (they had a sr22). His last surgery was just a year ago (right after his 3rd bday) and he was also fine, discharged to the Rhonald McDonald House after 5 days. And since the last surgery was in Las Vegas, they of course went to the beach and did some sight seeing before they left. But other than being careful when we picked him up (we had to scoop him up, and not pick him up under his arms) he was fine! He LOVES to show off his "Spongebob Holes"

 

BabyKaykes

New member

• Mar 28, 2010

• #9

My foster sister (age 24yo) has had several heart surgeries in her lifetime. She's currently in a Roosevelt, but was previously in a Husky. The biggest issue, as pp stated, is not lifting under the arms. By the time she went home, the chest clip was really a non-issue, as the bandages covering the area were enough not to be a bother.

 

mamajava

Senior Community Member

• Mar 29, 2010

• #10

I just talked to my sister and I just wanted to also mention that after surgery they wired Jacks sternum together, and it only took 5 days for the skin to heal, so there shouldn't be to much of a problem with the carseat!

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Mar 30, 2010

• #11

My cousin's son had multiple open-heart surgeries, and by the time he was discharged he was ok to use the car seat normally. :thumbsup:

 

Evolily

New member

• Mar 30, 2010

• #12

Infants heal extremely fast- their cell growth is just so much more rapid than ours, he may be perfectly fine in his seat a week after surgery.

 

soygurl

Active member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #13

If they would be willing/able to purchace a new car seat, I would recomend the CCO since it's avaliable in Japan without the chest clipl. It also has those long, cushy strap covers wich might be helpful?

 

BookMama

Senior Community Member

• Apr 7, 2010

• #14

Thanks everyone! I'm suspecting he will be OK in the car seat per normal use. :thumbsup: