Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic birth defects; the condition is found in one out of 800 births. Named after John Down, the first physician to discover the syndrome, the condition causes various levels of mental retardation as well as physical abnormalities. Caring for a Down syndrome infant is no different than the care required for any other newborn; the baby must be nurtured, fed, cuddled and, of course, loved. However, a Down syndrome infant may have some additional health problems that require additional care or assistance. Remember that some Down syndrome babies may not develop any physical abnormalities while others may develop several.
Step 1
Seek guidance and support by joining a Down syndrome support group; learning about the diagnosis of Down syndrome in a child can leave both parents overwhelmed. Feelings of sadness, grief and anger may be present. Parents should work with a pediatrician knowledgeable about Down syndrome, suggests The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The Mayo Clinic recommends that you develop a team of specialists to work with your child. A variety of screening tests and procedures may need to be performed. Choose doctors and other medical professionals who have experience working with Down syndrome infants.
Step 2
Look for signs of hypotonia, or poor muscle tone, in children. Children may have a difficult time rolling over, sitting up and walking. Hold the infant with additional support. Work with a physical therapist to help overcome these problems during the infant stages, as well as while the baby grows.
Step 3
Monitor fevers cautiously; a spike in temperature can also cause the heart to work at a more rapid pace. Avoid giving nasal decongestants to infants with heart abnormalities as the medication can cause an increased heart rate or tachycardia.
Step 4
Seek additional support from a lactation specialist if your child is breastfeeding. Ask your local hospital or pediatrician for recommendations. Understand what the proper method of breastfeeding looks like to know whether your child is having difficulty---the mouth must embrace the entire nipple and much of the areola. Use the "Dancer Hold" if the child is showing difficulty latching on due to poor muscle tone. Hold the infant with the opposite arm of the breast you will feed him from. Cup the breast with the thumb on the inner portion of the breast and the remaining fingers on the outer portion. The hand should be lifting the breast from underneath. Cradle the infant and hold the jaw up using the index finger, while continuing to cup the breast. Have the lactation specialist monitor the baby breastfeeding to ensure the infant is correctly latching onto the nipple. Know that the infant may take slightly longer learning to breastfeed.
