Having been through this personally, I will throw in a couple ideas/comments.

Why is this baby not being held?  What sort of cardiological reason would there
be for this?
Generally, the baby needs to be held more and more.  The muscles in the body do
a lot towards helping out the heart in terms of circulation.  If the baby isn't
held and doesn't have to support himself (it was a boy, wasn't it?), he won't
develop the muscle tone to help his heart out.  He won't be able to support
himself a lot at first, but with time he will get stronger and stronger.

I think this goes along with the exercise after a heart attack idea - sitting
around (or even lying around) doesn't help the muscle tone and doesn't help the
circulation.  Young babies can't get exercise the way an adult would, of
course.  Still, even being carried around by the mother causes the baby to have
to learn to develop the skills and muscles needed to brace himself when she
leans over or reaches for things or swings him out of the way.

I'm reminded of something Kathy Dettwyler often reminds us of -- this is a baby
first, and then a baby with a problem (or two).  The parents need to remember
to do for this baby what they would do for any other baby as far as tactile
stimulation and sensory experiences, including carrying the baby around for
several hours a day!

Ok, off my heart defect soap box for the time being.


Beth Hilleke              [log in to unmask]