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Ultrasound
Tips
- How to keep
your child still
original
question: I need some insights on how you all have handled the ultrasounds
as your kids got older. My son is now 21 months old and a "little
monkey!!!!" He is not crazy about sitting still for any length of time
(unless we are watching the Teletubbies, which I think are kind of
freaky,
but that's another story!).
(please
see disclaimer at the bottom of this page)
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Tip
#1
They do have
a syrup they can give him to make him sleepy. It tastes pretty good to
the little ones and it's only about a teaspoon or tablespoon worth. They
give them a little sip of water after and it takes 10-20 minutes to work.
They put a pulse oximeter on their little finger just to make sure their
sats they're staying normal because it is sedation. It lasts long enough
for them to do what they need and they are back to normal jumping and carrying
on like little monkeys all over again"
Tip#2
The syrup
is called chloral hydrate and it works pretty good. What she says above
is true. They don't usually use it for the ultrasounds though because if
the child moves a little they can always go back over the area missed.
They use it for CT scans because it is very important to hold still for
these. You can't easily back up the camera during this test. Some children
don't go "back to normal" until after they have had a real nap. What I
mean is the short drug induced sleep for the scan isn't a real sleep so
some children wake up more active than usual. My daughter, my mostly well
behaved child would act up and be easier set off to a tantrum than usual
right after a scan. After we got home she would take a real nap and then
she would wake up normal. Also if they sleep deeper than usual during this
second nap don't be alarmed. As long as their skin stays looking normal
(usually pink & warm) and their breathing is normal for them, let them
sleep their normal nap time. If when the nap time is up and the child is
still not acting right call your pediatrician and double check with them.
Tip #3
Chloral Hydrate
can also have the opposite effect. It made my son ballistic. I guess this
is like everything else in some it works and in some it doesn't. You have
to try different things until you find the one that works for your kiddo.
Tip #4
I too have
monkey boy and the only way we found to get through is to schedule tests
FIRST thing in the morning. When we are stripped down and ready to ultrasound,
we get out...a sucker! He's having such a yucky, messy time he hardly notices
the time going bye. Our techs have told us the sucker doesn't effect the
results. Of course, then you get hyper boy the rest of the day.
Tip #5
My twins are
kind of the same. I can't even change a diaper without them trying to flip
over 20 times in the middle of the process. I've found that giving them
a toy to hold onto keeps them preoccupied for at least a minute or two
until I have to switch and give them a different toy. Perhaps bringing
2-3 of his favorite small hand toys would help to distract him (maybe even
a small Teletubbies doll?).
Tip #6
We have found
that taking along toys that light up and play music really help in keeping
our baby still. As soon as the room is darkened, we turn the toy on and
let the lights project on the ceiling and on the walls and then we sing
to the songs. We also use a flashlight with a piece of colored saran wrap
over the light to make different colors that she likes to try and catch
as they dart about the room, and if you're really talented you can make
shadow animals. As the technician is watching the monitor, the lights don't
seem to bother them but you may want to ask beforehand. A previous tip
that works is the use of a sucker. She becomes very hungry and since she
isn't allowed to eat, sucking on the sucker at least gives the illusion
of eating something and it is sweet and she likes sweet. She will suck
and suck and let the doctors due what they need to.
Tip #7
Add your tip
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