Back-to-School with a Feeding Tube
Back-to-school season is here! It can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, especially for children with feeding tubes and their parents. To help ease the transition, here are some practical tips to make this "Back-to-school with a feeding tube" experience as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Before School Starts
Prepare Important Documents: Review your child’s IEP or 504 plan to ensure their specific needs related to tube feeding are covered.
Research School Policies: Understand your school district’s policies for different scenarios and emergencies. Make a list of questions to ask the school administrators, nurse, and your child’s teacher, especially about their procedures for children going back-to-school with a feeding tube.
Communicate with Teachers and Staff: Meet with relevant school staff to discuss your child’s feeding plan. If they’re unfamiliar with tube feeding, take time to explain the process and offer resources.
Organize Supplies: Prepare all feeding supplies and formula the night before. Ensure everything is clean, organized, and clearly labeled to streamline the back-to-school with a feeding tube process.
Prepare Your Child: Discuss the new school routine with your child and ask how they feel about it. Go over their feeding schedule and explain how tube feeding will be managed at school.
Plan for Emergencies: Provide the school with a list of emergency contacts and an updated G-tube kit with clear instructions.
Helpful Tips
Adjust Feeding Schedule: Try to align feeding times with school breaks to avoid disrupting classes. This ensures your child doesn’t miss key lessons or activities.
Create an Emergency Bag: Pack a bag with essentials like extra feeds, syringes, wipes, extension sets, and a change of clothes. Customize it to suit your child’s specific needs and ensure the school has access to it.
Storage at School: Arrange a designated space for your child’s tube feeding supplies and unopened formula. If the school lacks a refrigerator, use an insulated lunchbox for any opened formula.
Charge the Pump: Be sure to charge your child’s feeding pump overnight so it’s ready for use at school.
Classroom Education: You may want to work with the teacher to explain tube feeding to your child's classmates. A kid-friendly book about tube feeding can make this a fun, lighthearted experience.
Specialized Backpacks: A feeding tube backpack can hold the pump and supplies, allowing your child to move freely during school. Add fun elements like pins or patches to make it a more personal and enjoyable part of their back-to-school routine.
After-School Activities: Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities, if they are interested. For physical activities like sports or playing on the playground, check with your healthcare provider to ensure safe participation.
Consider Private Duty Nursing: If the school struggles to meet your child’s care plan, consult your physician about the option of having a private duty nurse (PDN) to support your child during school hours.
Stay in Touch: Maintain regular communication with the school throughout the year to update them on any changes in your child’s health or tube feeding needs.
By keeping these tips in mind, the back-to-school with a feeding tube experience can be a positive one. This guide is designed to empower tubie parents and ensure a smooth transition back to school for both you and your child! For more back-to-school considerations, read our blog, “Transitioning Back-To-School with a Medically Complex Child.”