Children's Special Concerns - Halyard MIC-KEY SF Anweisungen

CHILDREN'S SPECIAL CONCERNS

Children are special, and they have special needs. If you are caring for a child with a gastrostomy,
the following tips may help.
PROBLEMS IF A CHILD VOMITS
A vomiting child may inhale formula and stomach contents into the lungs. Aspiration is the medical
term for this and it can lead to serious medical problems.
If a child develops difficulty breathing during, or immediately after a feeding, stop the feeding
at once, drain (decompress) the stomach, and call your Medical Professional. If the child feels
nauseated, wait one to two hours before feeding and then resume the feeding slowly. The same is
true for vomiting. Wait and feed at a slower rate.
If nausea or vomiting persists, call your Medical Professional.
Note: Some children have gastroesophageal reflux. Food routinely flows backward up the
esophagus. Correct feeding position is VERY IMPORTANT for these children. Place them in an
upright position or at least a 30-degree angle before feeding. Notify your Medical Professional if
your child vomits after feeding.
SMALLER TUBES
The tubes used in children may have a smaller diameter than those used in adults. Smaller tubes
clog more easily but require less water to flush out. Infants usually receive a 3 to 5 ml flush.
DIARRHEA
Two reasons for diarrhea are rapid formula administration or spoiled formula.
Try giving the formula at a slower rate and follow the formula manufacturer's instructions for
leftover formula.
Never keep mixed formula longer than 24 hours.
Changes in formula, medications, or feeding routines can also cause diarrhea.
If diarrhea persists for more than three days, call your Medical Professional.
CONSTIPATION
Certain types of formulas cause constipation in sensitive individuals. Inactivity, change in formula,
medication, or change in the feeding routine can also cause constipation.
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CHILDREN'S SPECIAL CONCERNS
CHILDREN HAVE SMALL STOMACHS
Infants develop the capacity to hold large feedings in their stomachs as they grow. Feedings usually
begin with frequent small amounts of formula. Bolus feedings take 20 to 40 minutes. A gravity flow
system or a pump regulates a slow steady flow and leaves you free to do other things. Be patient,
and slowly increase the amount of formula given during the feeding.
If the child's stomach is full, formula may leak around the stoma. The child may also become
colicky and vomit, or burp up formula. Ask your Medical Professional if decompression or venting is
appropriate for this child.
CHILDREN ARE GROWING
Children with gastrostomies have the same basic growth and developmental needs as other
children. Consult your Medical Professional about changing the stoma length of the feeding tube as
your child grows.
HOW MUCH WATER?
When our bodies need water, we feel thirsty and we drink more. Gastrostomy patients are the same.
If the weather is warm or the child has a fever, additional water may prevent dehydration. Ask your
Medical Professional for guidelines.
LEARNING ABOUT FOOD
Although your child receives nourishment through a tube, group participation at the table during
meals is important. It gives the child an opportunity to experience food.
Encourage your child to touch and taste, just like everyone else, even if it makes a mess.
MOUTH
The mouth is a very sensitive part of the baby's body. Even if the child cannot suck and swallow
well enough to eat, the sucking reflex is there. Sucking seems to comfort babies. Experiment
with a pacifier. Use it to stimulate your child's lips, gums, and tongue during feedings. As the baby
grows, provide other opportunities to chew or suck. Talk with your Medical Professional about oral
stimulation and ways to promote normal development.
NORMAL ACTIVITY
It is important for babies to roll over on their stomachs. They learn to push up and crawl this way.
The MIC-KEY* SF Feeding Tube low-profile design may make it easier for this activity to occur.
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