Replies

1. 
   sosewnem | Jan 04, 2009 07:17am | #1

   Hi,

   I did an internet search for a "photo of child being tube fed" because I did not know what was needed.  That particular link (http://www.themomcrowd.com/tube-feeding-your-child) had a link that may be more helpful, which I have pasted here: http://www.tummytunnels.com/pages/5/index.htmhttp://www.tummytunnels.com/pages/6/index.htm(and there are more pages to that site - see the sidebar for them).

   I found more that may be of help - it looks like they use pockets to hide the g-tube area:http://www.minimiracles.ca/clothing.htmhttp://www.minimiracles.ca/catalogue.htm 

   I will add this link in case others may be looking for ideas for adults with disabilities, etc - a very long list - many ideas (it's where I found the last links above).http://www.disability-resource.com/adaptive-clothing/index.php 

   Okay, one more:http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1911.pdf

   If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time!

   Edited 1/3/2009 11:27 pm ET by sosewnem

   Edited 1/3/2009 11:29 pm ET by sosewnem

   Edited 1/3/2009 11:58 pm ET by sosewnem

1. 
   hedvig | Jan 05, 2009 07:27am | #3

   Hi,

   Thank you so much for the information.  The info from Iowa State University is great! I made copies for myself and the friend whose grandson has the g-tube.  I wish the internet was around when I my daughter was in a wheelchair.  Everything then was if you needed it you did it yourself. You have no idea how good it is to find help so quickly and easily.

   Thank you again!

   Hedvig

2. 
   gailete | Jan 05, 2009 05:41am | #2

   Hello, I've never sewed shirts for a child with a feeding tube, however, I HAVE fed people with one as a nurse. My first, and only, thought was what about making a large buttonhole near the area of the feeding tube, and when it is time to feed, pull the tube out through the buttonhole and then it can go back in the shirt after. This, I would think would also work well for someone on continuous feeding as their clothes can stay smooth on their fronts except for this buttonhole with the tube coming through. Depending on the personality of the kid you could make the buttonholes in snazy colors or ones that fade into the shirt colors. Get really abitious and make fun appliques with buttonholes that the tubes can come through.

   As I said this is just an idea that I had when reading your post, but as a nurse I don't see why it wouldn't work for either kinds of tube feedings. Other nurses are on this board and maybe they will pop in here also. I've been on disability for the last 7 years, so maybe something has changed in tube feedings  in the last few years that I don't know about.

   Gail

    

1. 
   hedvig | Jan 05, 2009 07:35am | #4

   Hi,

   Thank you!  The snazzy buttonholes are a great idea.  You helped me think of another solution.  A velcro flap that would help moving the g-tube more gently.  I'm going to try both.  The friend whose grandson has the feeding tube and I are getting together and make up your idea and afew others that I've been sent.  When my daughter was in a wheelchair I did all this on my own.  I have to say the internet makes it less lonely when help is needed.

   Thank you so much.

    

   Hedvig

   Edited 1/4/2009 11:38 pm ET by hedvig

1. 
   gailete | Jan 05, 2009 07:55pm | #5

   Oh good I hoped that would help because as I said it was a lightblub moment for me when I saw your post. A velcro flap would also be good if he doesn't have continual feedings to keep little hands from getting into that G-tube if he is able!

   I have very bad arthritis and I am at the point of always having to think before making myself clothes so that they will be easy on and off. I don't mind having my hubby help me at times, but I don't want it to be a routine at this point in my life. anyhow, just wanted to let you know I understand and it is so nice that you can help out your friend with this. My youngest is autistic and I remember mentioning to a lady at church how they wanted him working with those wooden puzzles. We were pretty poor at the time and so I was in tears when the lady had a puzzle for him the next time I saw her. Those little things mean so much!!!!! He is now 25 and is a manager at our local grocery store!!! There is hope for all our little ones that have a permanent stumbling block in their way.

   Gail

1. 
   hedvig | Jan 05, 2009 09:52pm | #6

   Wow Gail!

   I've decided online forums are helpful.  More importantly I'm grateful for the understanding and knowledge you've provided to us.  When we finish the shirts I'll post them.

   Talk to you later.

   Hedvig

    

3. 
   ThreadKoe | Jan 07, 2009 02:56am | #7

   When my girls were preemies, I put buttonholes for the monitor leads to go through.  I think the buttonhole with a velcro closure would work well.  Just make sure the buttonhole is well reinforced and not scratchy.  Cathy