How to get an oxygen tank in the stroller.

April 30, 2012 7:15 PM

Our baby is nearly coming home from the NICU, and the doctors have told us more than likely he will have to come home with an oxygen tank. We already bought a pram/stroller for him before we knew about this, now we aren't sure if we can fit the oxygen tank with the pram/stroller we have. I think its going to be a class D oxygen tank. Do we need a new pram or can we attach the tank somehow?

We are in the Philippines, so any advice for some way of attaching the tank to our pram that we can buy or make here would be great. The hospital here isn't offering any advice other than "Oh I think you can buy something in Australia".

We thought we could just sit the oxygen tank in the storage area under the stroller, but I'm not sure it will fit, and also the doctors have said the tank should be more or less upright, not lying flat.

Any advice generally about handling a baby at home with oxygen would also be great.

posted by Admira to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

There are bags you could wear as a backpack or shoulder bag (or even hang over the handle) to hold the tank while you push the pram. Something like this should work.

Congratulations on your little one's homecoming!
posted by goggie at 7:29 PM on April 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

You can use attachments for scuba pony bottles. (Sometimes referred to as bail-out bottles)
A class d cylinder is about 4.5 inches diameter so look for a bracket or sling that will accommodate that size. Google or visit a local dive shop.

There may also be setups available for portable oxygen cylinders sourced from the medical service shops that sell walkers and wheelchairs.
posted by mightshould at 7:32 PM on April 30, 2012

D cylinders, at least in the US, aren't really that big. 4.5" x 16", or 11.5x40.5cm. It should be easy to rack it in the storage area under a typical modern US stroller. Really, it's just a bit longer and a hair narrower than a 2L bottle of liquid (12.5" x 5", 31x12cm).

Hmm. It seems the most common realm this question comes up in is with wheelchairs. Here's an example. So, I'd find out who deals with the wheel mobile in your area and ask them.

The most important rule of oxygen. There must be no fire -- no smoldering, no open flames, no *NOTHING* hot near it. No smoking, no candles, no nothing hot.

I wish you the best of luck with your new family member.
posted by eriko at 7:44 PM on April 30, 2012

I can't speak to where you are, but in the US, near any hospital there is usually a medical supply company, one of those places that rents out hospital beds, walkers oxygen rigs and stuff like that. See if there is one of those near your baby's hospital. Take your stroller in there and ask them if there is some simple way to accommodate the type of oxygen bottle you will be using. They may know just what to do or where to send you for a quick solution.
posted by Old Geezer at 10:00 AM on May 1, 2012

Ask the NICU for contact details for other parents who had to deal with this issue? Is there a parents support group for the NICU?

The US parents seem to get tiny backpacks for the oxygen tanks - you could get a strong backpack (try a diving shop?) and attach it to the stroller firmly. Actually, I think taking the tank to a mountaineering/outdoor shop and explaining the issue might be helpful - those people tend to know how to rig up storage for weird-shaped gear that is very reliable.

And congratulations! Their lungs do get better over time, and he's coming *home*. I'm so happy for your family.
posted by viggorlijah at 8:27 PM on May 1, 2012