For children with certain conditions, like cystic fibrosis, gaining weight can be a challenge. For some children, the final step to helping them gain or maintain an adequate, healthy weight may be a feeding tube. If this is the case for your child, you may be feeling overwhelmed by your own emotions and unsure of how to introduce the feeding tube to your child. Here are some tips to help you all get through the transition and be comfortable with the decision to get a feeding tube.
First, it has probably taken a lot of consideration, research and late nights to get you to this point. Making the decision to get a feeding tube for your child was probably not an easy one. You’ve tried everything else up to this point to help your child reach a healthy weight, so don’t second guess yourself. You are doing everything you can to help your child thrive and while it is a scary time, it is hopefully the beginning of a better existence for your child.
Just as it has taken you some time to come around to making this decision, it will take your child time too. Each child and each situation is different. Some children will need to be exclusively tube fed while others will eat solids during the day and be tube fed at night. Either way it will be an emotional time for your child full of wonder and fear. If your child is school-aged, she probably already felt different from the other kids and this will only make her feel more isolated. Help her to express her feelings about it. Exhibit a positive attitude and be open and honest. Talk to her about how the tube will help her grow. If your child will be exclusively tube fed, you should talk to her teachers and invite her talk to her friends and classmates to ease any awkwardness in social and school settings.
If you have other children, this will be a difficult time for them too. Talk to them about the changes that will be happening, but about all the things that will remain the same in your family as well. Encourage them to ask questions and teach them to support their sibling in this transition.
There are support groups available to help you through this time.
Try connecting with other families in your area who have been through this situation, or with families in online support groups. Having someone to talk to who understands and can offer advice will be extremely valuable, especially in your weak moments.