Special Needs

[Sunchimes]

I may have a chance to fill my space with an infant with special needs, but I'm concerned about whether it would work here. I guess I just need to bounce some ideas around before I make an offer.

She is a preemie, 5 months old, 7 pounds. As far as I know, she only has a g-tube and really no other special needs. I've never even seen a g-tube and know nothing about it. I'm pretty sure I can learn, but should I be scared? What bad things can happen with one on my watch?

My main concern is my other 2. One is 2 1/2, special needs, severely delayed, maybe autistic. He will only be here for 5 more months before he goes to public school programs. He is a sweet heart, and I adore him, but he really doesn't have enough receptive language to understand easy, no, stop, stay away from the baby. He is very active. The other was special needs, but I think we've fixed most of it, and now, he's just an almost 2 year old ruffian. He is pure boy, loud, rowdy, rough. I have a 16 x 16 playroom where we spend most of our time, and I know she would be safe there, but I'm thinking about tummy time and all of the other times she wouldn't be in her crib.

Am I foolish to tackle this with these 2 boys? Does a g-tube carry special liabilities that I need to know about?

I really need to fill the space, but I don't want to take on more than is safe for our group. Suggestions, insight? Advice? Something I haven't thought about? Thanks!

[Cat Herder]

I'd recommend reading the parent info sites of G-tube care, protection and risks before you make any decisions.

I do take them, but there are MANY considerations in group care.

[Indoorvoice]

I have had a few kids in my teaching days with g-tubes. The feeding part is simple. The buttons can pop out though and I guess that would be my only concern especially with an active boy running around. Just make sure you have procedures in place if that were to happen.

[CedarCreek]

My 10 year old DS has had a g tube since he was 6 months old.

It HAS been pulled out before. You need to ask mom what her plan for you is if that were to happen. The hole has to be kept open or it will close quickly. She might have you keep an extra on hand in case something like that were to happen. It's very easy to replace, you just put some lubricating gel on the tube, push it into the hole and fill the balloon with the recommended amount of Distilled water. For DS, it's 5ccs.

Next, has she had a nissen? (Fundoplication) that's when they wrap the esophagus into a one-way valve so they cannot vomit and aspirate into their lungs. If she has, just remember that if she's ever fussy from gas, hook her tube and Bolus up like you were going to feed her and let the air from her tummy escape.

It's definitely one of the easier feeding tubes, I wouldnt be scared of it!