Tips from parents who've had little ones in a cast?

Question

My 4 1/2 year old daughter fractured her shoulder. She's in a splint type cast and a sling for the next six weeks. Any parents out there that have tips on making this go a little more smooth? She hates the cast, obviously. It's only the first day, but any advice or tricks for making this seem a little better would be appreciated. She is already getting the royal princess treatment from everyone in the family!

Answer 1

My 5 year old grandson broke his arm earlier this summer.  At first they had it in one of those splint things but he was able to move it so they replaced the splint with a water proof cast.  This made everything much easier.  He went swimming and did pretty much everything else he used to.

Since this is a shoulder I am sure it is different.  All you really can do is look for games she can play.  DVDs which are educational take her to parks for walks the zoo.

Good luck it will all work out.

Answer 2

Well I'm not a parent but when I was 7 years old, I broke both wrists (true and not fun at all) and I was in slings for about two or three weeks and then in a case for the next four. I did get the royal princess treatment as well, basically. That was the only good thing that came out of it...everyone got everything for me and I just sat there. haha. There's really nothing else you can do for her. I know it feels bad just to see her like this but you just have to let her heal. In the cast, it doesn't hurt so it's not terrible. Good luck. I know you're in an uncomfortable position! Good luck :)

Answer 3

Not really much to do for her. It sucks for her no matter what you do. Maybe get her a calender and mark down every day until the doctor's appt. to get it taken off.  

Answer 4

Unfortunately when my son broke his arm there wasn't anything that I could more for him. He got the royal treatment but that seemed to work okay for him. He got bored because he couldn't go swimming or get it wet. So we got him games or movies to distract him while the other kids were out doing stuff. We would take him out to a movie while they would be swimming for example.  

Answer 5

From personal experience when I was little is just that YOU should not make a big deal about it. You don't want her to think she will only get that kind of treatment if she is hurt.

I broke a toe when I was 3 and had to hobble around for a while because they didn't make crutches that little. Then when I was 4 I cracked my elbow and had to have a cast through most of preschool. The only thing troublesome about it was making all my clothes fit. All my shirts had to have one arm cut and split so my cast would fit through.

Let her decorate it. Get the markers out and have everyone sign it and draw some pretty flowers or something on it. Then she will want to show it off to everyone. Get a calendar set up to count down the days till it comes off.

Answer 6

Within a few days she wont be botheed by the cast. Children get used to how to work around them very fast. For the next few days id suggest games, movies, and some quiet time with mom. Coloring the cast is a great idea and you could also buy some fabric paint and decorate the sling Add some pretty gemstones to it and make it unique. Help her get dressed and be careful not to bump the cast on hard objects. It hurts even through the cast.. Be careful of moisture which can cause the cast to stink. Also for bathing a good technique is to wrap it in a towel then a bag and double wrap with plastic wrap. Then bathe her but the added plastic will save you a headache. Keep up with motrin or pain killers for the first few days. And allow for naps because the pain and meds will make her sleepy.  Everytime i broke a bone my Dad brought me some pink roses and a couple of new books. When i was little I had small bones that broke easily. Before my 12th birthday i broke my left leg 4 times, right leg 3 times, left arm twice nose twice, both sides of my jaw, and numerous fingers, toes and ribs. Within a few days of each cast I was out playing like a normal child. I even had to go in and have a couple casts replaced because i wore them out

Answer 7

The first few days will be rough.  She's got to figure out how to live with it getting in her way & being uncomfortable.  So do you.  

Just keep on being empathetic, but encouraging.

By the end of the second week I'll bet neither of you will even notice it's there anymore.