How to Explain Tube Feeding to Children

When children first meet a child who is tube fed, they may have a lot of questions. It is important to give honest answers to each of their questions and to give them any additional information that might help them understand the tube-fed child.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Tell children to pretend an alien visited them at breakfast that morning and asked what they were doing. The alien had never seen people eat before. Encourage the children to discuss how they would explain the act of eating. (They will likely answer with a simplified version of the process, such as "I need this food to give my body energy. I chew it with my mouth, and it goes into my stomach. Then my body uses the food to make energy.")

2. Tell children most people eat through their mouths, but some people cannot. Explain that some people eat through a tube that goes directly into their stomachs.

3. Answer comments such as "That's weird!" or "Eww!" by pointing out that the alien at their breakfast table that morning would think the same thing of grinding up cereal with their teeth and making it go down their throats.

4. Ask children if they have any additional questions about tube feeding. Answer all of their questions as honestly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure children understand that people who use tubes are just like them; they just have a different way of eating.

References

• Tube Feeding Tips

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