Home Care Tips
Here are some tips for you to consider in your child's care. Feel free to write your own tips and share them with your nursing staff and health care team.
- If you have to suction your child during a meal, do so gently to decrease the chance of vomiting.
- Your child should not go under water.
Bath time should be closely watched to prevent water from entering the tracheotomy tube. An artificial nose should be worn on the tracheotomy tube to prevent splashed water from entering the tube.
Children with tracheotomies should not swim. - When washing your child's hair, carefully pour water over the hair with a cup as your child is laying back with his or her head and neck supported (see drawing below).
- Do not use powders or aerosol sprays around your child.
- Contact sports should be avoided.
- Avoid hairy or fuzzy clothing around the tracheotomy tube. Also do not use clothing that blocks the tracheotomy tube (for example, turtle neck shirts).
- When choosing a pet, consider one that can live outside or that will not shed.
- Do not smoke around your child. Smoke is very irritating to your child's airway, lungs, and ears.
Add Your Tips Here:
Rev. 7/07
