United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi All! I'll start with my question and then go to the update if interested.
My son, Cole, (10 month ROBPI)is still having the hardest time getting his hand to his mouth. Do any of you have any "tricks" to give him steps to get there?
(I do not like restricting his arm during snack because I want eating to be a happy, comfortable time for him.
Any suggestions are welcomed! I have put stickers on his nose for him to take them off...he does it without supination/pinky first.)

Update...the concensus was no nerve surgery, so we are continuing to work and wait.
He seems to be reaching higher now (about 100 degrees) and with less compensation. He has found ways to hold his bottle and clap. Cole is now "crawling" (army most of the time, although he does take about 4 "steps" on all fours!). He is also pushing back to sit up, bridging and starting to pull himself up to stand. We are very proud of our little man!

If you don't want to restrict his arm during snack, then I would give him a really, really yummy treat and tell him he can only have it if he uses the affected arm.

Worked for us! We used candy bars...

claudia

Pinky first in hand-to-mouth is pretty common at this age. Joshua had his hand completely turned around and backwards for most of the first year. But he does terrific now. Cole still has time.

Kate

We used an old sleeper or one piece long sleeve outfit that was a size too big and then sewed the dominant arm hole sleeve shut (simple hand stitching took about 5 minutes to do). This allows them to still use their dominant arm for crawling and assistance with activities, but forces them to use the BPI arm for eating and fine motor skills. It didn't seem to frustrate our child at all. Good luck.

Putting yogurt or pudding on the hand worked well for us for hand to mouth. What an encouraging force that was! It is also great for using like finger paint because it is edible.

Tanya in NY
Amber's Mom, ROBPI, 5 years old

Thank you for your ideas! I have printed them and I'm ready to get started. They seem motivating and fun...just what I was looking for. The arm hole sewing idea is something I can do as well! (Now I just have to go by some thread and a needle...sewing is a lost art!)

Kate, thanks for saying, Cole still "has time". It really reminds me that the now is important, but not to get too overwhelmed by it, because...wow, when I look back to the very beginning, I'm amazed at how far he has come.

For the sewing idea....it is really simple. Just sew it shut at the very bottom where the sleeve ends. A simple row of handstitching to close up that bottom end is all you need. Just make sure that the stitching is close enough that he doesn't stick his little fingers through.

PS Let us know how it works.

Hi everyone!
Again thanks for you ideas. We just love the sewing one. We call it Cole's therapy shirt and he is in it for at least a total of an hour each day.

When he is in it, we stick pieces of marshmallows on his right pointer finger. He tries to raise it to his mouth and then uses his left to help finish the job. I'm just so excited that he is realizing that his righty can get to his mouth, too!

PS Cole is crawling on all 4's now!(no more raw hand )

Those are great updates!!! Cole sounds like he is doing awesome! Go Cole, you keep your parents proud!
Hugs,
Amy 21 ROBPI from MN