Your Baby and Down Syndrome

Having a baby born with Down Syndrome has got to be one of the most stressful times any parent can imagine. There is so much information to take in at the same time that you are coping with the emotional impact of having a child with special needs. There is usually a large amount of medical information being shared right from the beginning and it all can be rather overwhelming. When the diagnosis is first received what the parents need most is reassurance that all that can be done medically will be done and that all procedures will be explained to them. It is best to give parents written information as the beginning is a very emotional time and taking in too much information at once, means that not much will be remembered. It is important to provide new parents with a way to talk with other Down Syndrome parents so that they can have a source of information and support from those who truly understand.

Besides the normal newborn needs such as feeding, diapering, and sleeping your baby with Down Syndrome may have medical needs that may need to be addressed immediately. You may need to be making decision regarding care or treatment even surgery. This can all seem overwhelming. The problems may range from heart complications to swallowing problems to abdominal blockages or stomach or bowel. Some babies have vision problems like being crossed eyed or having cataracts. Surgery may be recommended. There may be thyroid problems, hearing loss, seizures, problems with bones or joints or their hearing. There may also be mental or cognitive issues that also need to be addressed. Your main physician will discuss any need for specialists and direct you in securing appointments.

It is not possible to tell at birth what the mental status will be or how severe any mental disability may be. Your baby will likely be prescribed some physical therapy to help stimulate development.

Physical therapy will most likely be prescribed once a week to help your child build up muscle tone and coordination. As the child gets a little older, speech therapy and occupational therapy will be added to your child's care.

It is important for new parents to be able to gather information from other parents of Down Syndrome children, from Websites, Doctors, and from books.

A few of the good books about Down Syndrome are:

A parent's guide to Down Syndrome: toward a brighter future by Siegfriend M. Pueschel.

and

Babies with Down Syndrome: a new parents' guide by Kay Stray-Gundersen.