pediatric nursing care

Pediatric Nursing Care

Nursing Care of the Child Born with Physical or Developmental Challenge

Physical/Developmental Disorders: GIT

•Ankyloglossia•Thyroglossal cysts•Cleft lip and Palate•Pierre Robin syndrome•Tracheoesophagus Atresia and Fistula•Omphalocele•Gastroschisis•Intestinal obstruction

Physical/Developmental Disorders: GIT (cont’d)

•Meconium Plug syndrome•Meconium ileus•Diaphragmatic hernia•Umbilical hernia•Imperforate anus

Ankyloglossia

Thyroglossal Cyst

Cleft Lip and Palate

Bottle Feeding tips: (cleft Lip and Palate)

Bottle Feeding tips: (cleft Lip and Palate) Feed your baby in a calm quiet environment.

Make sure you are sitting in a comfortable chair. Seat your baby upright for bottle feeding. This

may prevent milk coming out of the nose during sucking. Hold the baby close to you so they are well supported for feeding.

Feed your baby with a squeeze bottle and cross-cut teat or a Special needs feeder (previously called Haberman feeder). If your baby has a cleft lip, avoid placing the teat into the cleft.


Once your baby starts sucking, squeeze the bottle gently to deliver milk into the mouth. A squeeze every 3 to 4 sucks is usually sufficient however all babies are different so you may need to experiment a little with the rate of pulsing/ squeezing. Some babies like to suck when a gentle but constant pressure is applied to the teat (if using the Special needs feeder) or the bottle (if using a squeeze bottle) rather than pulsing.

Experimenting with this technique may also be useful. Some mothers find it helpful to practice squeezing a water-filled bottle to get an idea of how the flow changes with more rapid squeezing or stronger squeezing of the bottle feeding. Some babies may be able to compress the teat enough themselves to feed quickly.


Watch how your baby reacts to the pulsing or prolonged squeezing of the bottle. If the baby looks uncomfortable or is not managing the mouthful of milk, stop squeezing and let him/her rest and swallow before more milk is given.

Have breaks for burping, as the baby may be more ‘windy’ than usual.

Keep each feed to 20-30 minutes. Longer feeds mean the baby will use too much energy during feeding. This can make weight gain difficult.


Babies can loose up to 10% of their birth weight but usually regain it in 2 to 3 weeks. If your baby is having 5 to 6 wet nappies per day and regular motions, and is healthy and alert, then it is likely that he/she is being fed sufficiently. Your Maternal and Child Health Nurse will help you keep track of your baby’s growth and we will ask you about it when you come to cleft clinic. Slow weight gain or weight loss may mean the feeding method needs to be changed.

Some babies have serious feeding problems (dysphagia) which means they need specialised assistance to manage feeding.

Special Bottle

Pierre Robin Syndrome

Pierre Robin Syndrome …is a triad of micrognathia (small

mandible), cleft palate, and glossoptosis (a tongue malpositioned downward)

Tracheoseophageal Atresia

Omphalocele

Gastroschisis

Intestinal Obstruction

Meconium Ileus

Diaphragmatic Hernia

Umbilical Hernia

Imperforated Anus

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic

Thirst Mild Moderate Extreme

Skin turgor Poor Very poor Moderate

Skin consistency

Dry Clammy Moderate

Skin temperature

Cool Cool Warm

Urine output Decreased Decreased decreased

Activity Irritable Lethargic Very lethargic

Serum sodium level

Normal Reduced Increased

pediatric nursing care

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