Apnea Monitor Alarms

If your child has been prescribed an apnea monitor, there are several alarms that you may hear from the monitor. Let’s take a look at each one and what they mean. Apnea alarm. As the name implies, this alarm sounds when your child does not breath for 20 seconds or greater. If you hear this …

Extra Exton

Exton graced the world with his early arrival on February 28, 2017. His parents were overflowing with love for this tiny perfect person they had created. A few hours before they were to be discharged home, a nurse noticed a possible marker for a genetic abnormality and then a cardiac echo was done. Exton's mom, …

Siblings of Medically Complex Kids

November is still caregiver month, and sometimes we forget how much care the siblings of medically complex kids provide. Having a child with special needs changes the family dynamic. Now one individual needs the attention of someone constantly, instead of attention being spread around evenly. This can be a confusing and emotional time for the …

What is Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia?

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, more commonly referred to as BPD, is one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children. BPD typically affects premature infants with low birth weights. This patient group will have under developed lungs. Some babies who encounter respiratory distress shortly after birth may also be at risk. White males seem to be …

Air Quality at Home

Once you finally break free of the hospital and get to go home as a family, the last thing you want is to go back to the hospital any sooner than necessary. These are a few of the best tips compiled from multiple sources to help you have the best air quality possible flowing through …

RSV Season And You

Fall brings sweater weather, crunchy leaves, pumpkin spice everything, football, and of course RSV. Fall to Spring generally means lock down and minimal visitors for medically complex families. So what is RSV and why is it so scary for our babies? RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus. It starts out with upper respiratory symptoms like …

Sick Season Prep

Being the parent of a medically complex child, you tend to quickly turn into a germaphobe. You probably own double digits of hand sanitizers, lysol sprays, and have mastered the art of giving the evil eye to anyone who doesn't cover their cough or sneeze. As you should! Once sick season hits, everyday germ watch …

So, Your Child Is Going Home On A Ventilator

That's a scary sentence to hear. How on Earth can you manage a life sustaining device at home... by yourself? When it comes to your kids, people can do AMAZING things, including this. In this article we will go over the basics, see what everything looks like, and get a little groundwork to get you …

Respiratory Home Equipment

Fun fact, all of that equipment you've been getting nice and acquainted with in the hospital is a little different for home. Most of the equipment operates the same, but looks and sounds entirely different. Don't you just love change? So let's take a look at all of the different types of respiratory equipment your …

Preparing For Your Child To Have A Tracheostomy

What Is a Tracheostomy?  A tracheostomy is a surgery where a doctor places a tube into your child’s trachea to assist with breathing. This creates an opening that is called a tracheostomy or a stoma. You often will hear this opening called a “trach.” Some common reasons for placing a trach include …• To bypass …