Home Oxygen Therapy for Premature Babies
What is home oxygen therapy and why does a baby need it?
Home oxygen therapy is used to provide additional oxygen to a baby suffering from a lung problem that prohibits him / her from getting enough oxygen from room air. The oxygen is administered to him / her by a small tube that fits into the nose (nasal cannula). Without enough oxygen, your baby may work harder to breathe and may not be able to feed as well or grow as quickly.
Your baby will be seen frequently in the High Risk Clinic to to assess weight, oxygen levels, and work of breathing.. After returning home, he / she may need to have the oxygen flow rate increased, which is not unusual, because a baby needs more energy as activity levels increase. Therefore, it is important to keep the oxygen on at all times until notified otherwise by a doctor.
For questions or comments, please call 513-636-3882.
Oxygen Safety in the Home
Because oxygen helps fire burn faster:
Do not smoke in a room with oxygen tanks
Do not use oxygen near fires, fireplaces, space heaters or open flames
Do not put any grease or oil on the oxygen system
Do not carry oxygen tanks in car trunks, or store in hot places
Signs of Increased Oxygen Needs
Seek medical attention if a baby exhibits one or more of the following symptoms:
Rapid breathing
Increased chest movements (heavy breathing), which allow ribs to be seen with each breath
Widened nostrils while breathing
Struggling for air
Unexplained irritability or fussiness
Change in skin color - pale
Blue-gray around mouth
Clammy or sweaty skin
Stopping to rest more frequently while feeding
Poor sucking while feeding
Breathing faster while eating
Pulling away from bottle / breast
What to do if a baby shows signs of breathing problems
Check equipment and ask yourself the following questions:
Is the tank turned on?
Do the gauges indicate there is enough oxygen in the tank?
Is the flow rate correct?
Is the tubing kinked?
Is the tubing connected?
Is the nasal cannula clogged with mucus?
If it is, follow these two easy steps to unclog it:
Check the nasal cannula by placing it in a glass of water and looking for bubbles
If the nasal cannula is clogged, change the tubing or clean it with a damp cloth (Do not use baby wipes)
If the equipment checks out okay, increase the oxygen flow rate by 1/4 liter until the baby is breathing easier
Check for other signs of sickness (example: fever, cold, etc.)
Call the High Risk Clinic Staff (513-636-3882)
Call Primary Care Physician
Call Equipment Company
If a baby is having severe problems, call emergency medical services.
Rev. 8/09
