Around a million Americans of all ages have cerebral palsy (CP), a condition characterized by damage to a baby’s brain in the womb. Historically, CR was associated with oxygen deprivation during the birthing process. However, this brain trauma can happen before, during, or after childbirth, affecting your newborn’s ability to control their muscles. This incurable disease presents unique challenges for both the kids affected by it and their parents. So, how do you take care of a baby with cerebral palsy?
In this blog, we’ll explore some invaluable tips to help you provide the best possible care for your child’s holistic needs. Navigate this journey with patience, confidence, and determination.
- Educate yourself about CP
Many online platforms are dedicated to educating the families of kids with cerebral palsy and helping them combat the common challenges associated with this disease. Ensure your family knows what it means for your child to suffer from CP and what they can do to support the child.
- Look into your legal options
Some cases of CP can be prevented, often resulting from healthcare practitioners’ negligence. You may argue that the doctor failed to detect fetal distress, didn’t perform a C-section when needed, or used delivery tools like forceps improperly. Proving a link between cerebral palsy and medical malpractice can be difficult, however. So, contact a credible birth injury lawyer to investigate the facts to prove the doctor’s liability. That’s how you can win enough compensation to afford your kid’s treatment.
Research suggests the average medical malpractice compensation involving babies under a month is $936,843, enough to pay for your child’s post-diagnosis rehabilitation and long-term caregiving.
- Learn about the symptoms
You can take better care of your kid by learning about some of the telltale symptoms of cerebral palsy. Monitor your child carefully and look for different age-related CP symptoms. It empowers you to offer tailored care and support to your kid, enhancing their overall well-being. Some very noticeable symptoms include the following:
- Impaired motor skills
- Coordination difficulties
- Problems walking and balancing
- Jerky, clumsy, and fidgety movements
- Problems speaking and communicating with others
- Shaking hands, muscle spasms, and random movements
- Delays in reaching developmental milestones
- Connect with a CP doctor
Find a qualified, experienced CP specialist to treat your child properly by creating a personalized, long-term treatment plan for them. Choose someone your child is comfortable with and can recognize other coexisting conditions. For instance, data shows that every fifth kid with CP also has ADHD. Similarly, some 1 in 10 kids with cerebral palsy have autism.
Recognizing and treating these conditions will significantly improve your kid’s condition and contribute to their accelerated rehabilitation as they grow up.
- Get help with caregiving
If you’re having trouble catering to your kid’s different needs, consider hiring extra help. Many CP kids experience difficulties swallowing their meals. You may contact respite caregivers to take care of your kid for a few hours while you take a break to focus on your well-being. Similarly, you should hire a visiting nurse to help with bathing your kids, dressing them up, and feeding them properly.
Many parents of kids with cerebral palsy turn to family and friends for help, such as running errands, doing chores around the house, or carpooling. Get as much as you need to take care of your child.
- Cater to their well-being
Ensure your kid gets a well-balanced, nutrition-rich diet that supports their growth and development. Try talking to a pediatric nutritionist to create a diet plan for your kid’s preferences. Collaborate with occupational therapists to develop exercise routines for your child’s enhanced mobility. Get your kid with CP different necessary mobility aids, such as walkers, braces, or wheelchairs.
Moreover, make the environment in your home safe and equipped with ramps or handrails. Ensure your home serves as a safe space for your kid to move around freely.
- Embrace your kid’s abilities
Kids with CP may have limited mobility and can’t participate in activities other kids their age enjoy. However, it doesn’t mean CP children can’t have fun anymore! With the right support from parents and encouragement from their peers, kids with cerebral palsy can easily engage in a lot of fun games and pastimes. For instance, biking, swimming, and scavenger hunting are helpful activities for kids with CP (under an adult’s supervision). You can take the kid to a local playground as well.
Exercising and being physically active is exactly what children with cerebral palsy need to stay healthy. These exercises will prevent the onset of diabetes, muscular atrophy, and pressure sores in your child with CP.
- Socialize with other kids who have CP
Develop your kid’s social skills by exploring inclusive playgrounds in your location. Schedule playdates with other children (both with and without cerebral palsy).
Other kids who don’t have CP may ask you questions about your child’s condition. You can explain to them what CP is and how it affects your kid. It’ll make them more tolerant of your kid’s condition and your child will make more friends. That’s how you can ensure your kid with CP faces fewer instances of bullying.
- Find some “me time” as well
Don’t forget about your well-being when caring for your kid with CP. Neglecting your wellness will lead to compassion fatigue and stop you from properly catering to your child’s needs.
9 out of 10 parents of kids with CP prioritize their kids’ needs over their own more than expected. Finding some “me time” by hiring respite caregivers and giving yourself a break is important. You’ll be more passionate about taking good care of your child wholeheartedly.
Conclusion
It can be an overwhelming experience for parents to receive a CP diagnosis for their kids. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, then go through this blog and follow the guidelines mentioned above to take care of your kid properly. It means educating yourself about this condition, contacting nearby CP specialists, and seeking ample socialization opportunities. Also, talk to a lawyer about taking legal action against a doctor if that doctor’s negligence caused your kid to suffer from cerebral palsy.