Feeding pump Baby Care Center question

[Mono~rail]

One of my DD's who will turn 2 in Feb has a feeding tube. She has a feeding pump that has a rechargeable battery. I'm working on a backpack to carry her pump in and some sort of hook to hang the pouch with the Pediasure in it so that we can feed her more easily while we are on outtings.

Since the pump battery is rechargeable there is the chance that it may run low while we are in the WDW parks. Would the Baby Care Centers be accomodating enough to let us go there and plug the pump in and feed her if we needed to do that?

 

[cleo]

I don't know the answer for sure, but I'm GUESSING this will be no problem at all. I'm going to leave this thread here, but I'm also going to copy it over to the disABILITIES board as they may have more experience and better insights for you. Look there for answers, too!

 

[ducklite]

I would think that they'd be happy to accomodate you. The first aid station will allow you to leave it there charging.

Anne

 

[Mono~rail]

I hadn't thought of the first aid centers! Thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

In each park the Baby Care and the First Aid are next to each other. I know that First Aid is always staffed by at least one RN at all times. The water parks do not have a baby care, but do have first aid.

One of the things they will do is store medicines and equipment for you that is not needed on an emergency basis. You could leave the pump in there and go in, and be given a quiet, private area, for the feedings and you do not have to carry it all the time. If the nutrient requires refrigeration they will store it for you.

Also there are lots of electrical outlets both inside and outside buildings; I have on occasion, when needed, left an ECV plugged in to recharge while eating or at a show and never had any problems.

 

[Mono~rail]

In each park the Baby Care and the First Aid are next to each other. I know that First Aid is always staffed by at least one RN at all times. The water parks do not have a baby care, but do have first aid.

One of the things they will do is store medicines and equipment for you that is not needed on an emergency basis. You could leave the pump in there and go in, and be given a quiet, private area, for the feedings and you do not have to carry it all the time. If the nutrient requires refrigeration they will store it for you.

Also there are lots of electrical outlets both inside and outside buildings; I have on occasion, when needed, left an ECV plugged in to recharge while eating or at a show and never had any problems.

I've never noticed electrical outlets around the parks! Are they easy to find?

 

[SueM in MN]

I've never noticed electrical outlets around the parks! Are they easy to find?

There are lots and some are in places where you would not easily see them. Some are under or on the sides of benches or on lamp posts. Usually, CMs in the area will be able to help you find one.
If you go to the disABILITIES FAQs thread, there is a link to a thread about finding outlets.

 

[dclfun]

It shouldn't be a problem to use first aid or to just use an outlet. You should also check with your vendor. I have a Zevex that charges overnight and have never had the battery run low. I use a carabiner clip on the back of my chair but the pump itself can go in a backpack to make it easier to carry and more discreet. As long as you plug in the pump overnight, it should last as long as you need it though ( since I am an adult, mine is often on battery from 7 am- 11pm ).---Kathy

 

[Mono~rail]

It shouldn't be a problem to use first aid or to just use an outlet. You should also check with your vendor. I have a Zevex that charges overnight and have never had the battery run low. I use a carabiner clip on the back of my chair but the pump itself can go in a backpack to make it easier to carry and more discreet. As long as you plug in the pump overnight, it should last as long as you need it though ( since I am an adult, mine is often on battery from 7 am- 11pm ).---Kathy

We usually can get about 3 feedings with it on the battery, and during the day she eats approximately every 3 hrs. When the pump was brand new, we could use it longer on the battery, but over time the battery has worn down. Who knows though. By May, we could have another new pump. Her pump is a Patrol brand.

Someone recommended to me yesterday that we get her a Kangaroo pump because it comes with a special backpack for portability. She's used a Kangaroo while in the hospital, but neither dh nor I liked it. It's not that there is anything wrong with it; it just isn't what we are used to.

We are taking her to Baylor in Dallas this Monday for an assessment at their feeding clinic. We've been waiting on this appt since July! We are anxious to hear what they say. Her pediatric gastroenterologist doesn't think they are going to keep her as residential. He thinks they are going to make recommendations and a plan for our current therapists.

I'm so glad to know that there are outlets around that we could use if we needed to!

 

[seashoreCM]

If you need to plug in a medical device or wheelchair, feel free to use any unoccupied electric outlet. In restaurants is a good place to look. But you cannot leave the equipment there unattended for fear of pilferage.

Nickel cadmium (NiCd) rechargeable batteries last longest when discharged thoroughly prior to recharge and then recharge thoroughly prior to re-use. Practically, to also prolong the life of the equipment, the best compromise is to recharge when the equipment starts to get sluggish. It is harmful to equipment to run it sluggishly on a low battery. As changing the battery is not always convenient, it is a good idea to have a second battery on hand if you want to use this strategy.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm