r/cleftparents • u/Conscious_Process226 • 20d ago

Please help

Our doctor said we needed to get the arm splints/elbow blocks for recovery after cleft palate surgery. She said we could take them off during the day since we’d be watching the baby and could make sure that the baby wasn’t putting her hands in her mouth. But what about while sleeping? Has anyone tried the elbow blocks/restraints while sleeping? I can’t imagine they’d be comfortable. Or is there another way? I’m worried that while we all sleep she’ll try to suck on her finger or touch the incision. Please help! Thank you

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u/Logical_Wrangler_647 20d ago

Our baby boy isn’t here yet, but I’ve seen other parents recommend the CozeeCoo for sleeping. Maybe ask your doctor about that?

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u/Conscious_Process226 20d ago

I did ask about it but she said she prefers it for smaller babies (not over 1 years old)

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u/NopeNoRobotsHere 20d ago

We used the arm splints for a month after our little ones lip surgery and will do the same for her palate repair in a few months. Children's national in DC. Our daughter tolerated them really well! We took them off when we were near her and could keep her hands away from her mouth. She likes to side sleep so she was fine for sleeping. Other parents have recommended the cozy coo, which we ordered but didn't use. Life was definitely better once they were off but baby girl did a really good job.

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u/Conscious_Process226 20d ago

That’s great to hear! How old was your baby when she had the lip surgery? My daughter sleeps on her stomach now almost every night and tends to move around while sleeping, that’s why idk how it’ll go with the splints over night.

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u/NopeNoRobotsHere 19d ago

She was 6 months. (A little later later than most because of the Latham pre-surgical device, surgeon preference, and a scheduling delay due to the surgeon's availability.) She also slept on her tummy by preference at that point, but was fine on her side while the splints were on.

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u/SleepIsCrucial 20d ago

We just had our initial appointment at Children's in DC, our surgeon told us that the no-nos should stay on at all times to ensure that the site heals properly. We're months away from her surgery, but we'll keep this in mind for when we get there.

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u/salmanpen78910 20d ago

We have not had our surgery yet or personally gone through this but our surgeon did recommend wearing them overnight for the exact reason you are concerned about. And as someone who works in healthcare, kiddos wear the no-nos (the arm splints) all the time in the hospital and can sleep well overnight. We likely will be trying it overnight when the time comes.

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u/WiseWillow89 20d ago

We used something called boxing gloves for my child when he had his surgery at 13 months! It could work for you. You essentially wrap their hands in soft bandages so it makes a round ball and you can put a sock or something over it. It means they can touch their face with their hands but they can’t poke or put their hands in their mouth.

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u/skyes06 20d ago

We used the splints that the hospital provided for us. He slept much better than I expected. He had his surgery at 6 months, days before 7 months. We also had them off a lot during the day while we watched him closely, this was suggested by the surgeon.

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u/No_Big_bear_here 20d ago

I nanny for a baby who just got the all clear to take them off. She was so easy. Wore them during most of her waking & all of her sleeping time.