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Feeding
For many parents this has got to be one of the most difficult problems once they have got their child home. The pressure to ensure that their child gains weight between their first and second operation worries many families and can spoil their first experience of home life.
Firstly don’t worry you are not alone. Secondly, try and stay calm about the different methods of help that people may suggest but always remember
that you know your child better than anyone else. Just as you would with any other child experiment to get the right timing and style of feeding for your
child. As long as you make sure that the amount of feed suggested by the hospital is given in 24 hours you can decide the best way to give it.
Here are some tips that you might like to follow:
- Always ask for help, if you are worried use your health visitor, hospital dietician, other families (via Little Hearts Matter).
- Think calories. The aim is to get as many calories as possible into every mouthful. It may not be necessary to increase the fluid in a feed, as it is important to keep fluid in balance. The dietician may suggest some additives, maxijual, calogen or duocal for example. Don’t add extra scoops of feed to a bottle unless advised to, as there are some components in the feed that must not be increased.
- Little and often. It takes energy to digest food, so large meals become a great effort for most children with cardiac problems. Large milk feeds can often lead to vomiting and added worry. Encourage little meals. Breakfast, midmorning snack, lunch, mid afternoon snack, tea and something before bedtime. Try and keep it healthy. Don’t use diet or low fat products; these children need high calorie food.
- If your child needs a nasogatric tube for a short time think of it as your friend.
It can help the baby put on weight without them getting too distressed.
Used as a short-term solution it can be very helpful.
It is however important to use it in conjunction with maintained oral feeding as this will help the children remember what food really is.
- Try not to make feeding a battle.
- If you are experiencing problems ask for help.
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