Becoming a parent is definitely a wonderful, unique and overwhelming experience. You can’t help but give all your love to your child, who will become the centerpiece of your life.
Therefore, finding out that your son/daughter needs an ostomy will surely have been a bad blow. The thought of your child having to undergo an intensive procedure and face surgery is undoubtedly terrifying.
It is understandable that you are afraid, however. don’t worry! Your baby will be fine. He/she will be as happy and healthy as any other baby, only you will need to be well informed about how to handle this situation that will be completely new to you, and we are here for that!
In this article we will delve into all the questions you may be asking about your child’s ostomy such as: will my baby be okay after ostomy surgery? What will my child need to be well?
Therefore, below you will encounter 12 useful tips that will help you better manage your child’s ostomy.
First, however, we will briefly answer the questions posed above:
Table of Contents:
- What is an ostomy?
- Why should a child need an ostomy?
- What to expect after your child’s ostomy surgery
- 12 basic tips for caring for a child’s ostomy
- Frequently asked questions
Will my baby be okay after ostomy surgery?
Ostomy does not prevent your child from having a healthy and normal growth. By following proper ostomy care and a balanced diet, you can ensure a happy and healthy childhood for your child.
What will my baby need to be well?
Your son/daughter will need a good pediatrician, an ostomatherapist, and informed parents or guardians. Do the right research and be well informed, that’s all you need!
What is an ostomy?
An ostomy (or stoma) is a surgical procedure by which an opening is created in your baby’s abdomen. The most common types of ostomy are colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy.
A colostomy is when a large intestine detour is created. With an ileostomy, the detour of the small intestine is created. Finally, a urostomy consists of the detour of the urinary system.
The location and size of the ostomy may vary depending on the type of surgery and the reason for surgery.
Why should a child need an ostomy?
An ostomy can be packaged for a variety of reasons, however, generally, it is created when a child’s excretory system is malfunctioning and does not allow the body to properly excrete waste substances. The main causes of a malfunctioning excretory system are:
- A possible birth defect such as an imperforate anus
- An underdeveloped excretory system in premature infants
- Intestinal infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis
Thus, an ostomy allows bodily wastes to escape from the body. Fortunately, in most cases, ostomies in children are temporary.
There is virtually no difference between a child’s ostomy and an adult’s ostomy. The only difference is, perhaps, that an adult can take care of his or her own ostomy, whereas a child needs the help of an adult.
So, since these are similar treatments, a parent can refer to any useful resource for ostomy management and care.
What to expect after your child’s ostomy surgery
Seeing your child with tubes after surgery to pack an ostomy is certainly an upsetting scenario. However, it is important to remain calm because your baby will need comfort.
Take advantage of these hospitalization days to ask as many questions as possible to the medical staff about your son/daughter’s ostomy.
This is what you can expect immediately after your child’s ostomy surgery:
Depending on the type of surgery, your child’s ostomy may start functioning immediately, or after a few days. Immediately after surgery, the stoma will be swollen and later will shrink in size considerably.
This is a normal sign of ostomy healing. The stitches around the stoma will also dissolve.
If it is a permanent or long-term ostomy, the ostomy will grow along with your child.
Your son/daughter will now need a set of products, such as an adhesive plate and ostomy bag, for effluent collection.
While you are in the hospital, be sure to learn how to change the bag correctly and practice in the presence of hospital staff so that you can do it yourself with ease while you are at home.
Also, keep in mind how often the collection system needs to be changed and the amount of supplies you will need, so that you will never run out of garrisons when you return home.
12 basic tips for caring for a child’s ostomy
Your child was discharged and returned home after surgery. You obtained a sufficient amount of medical supplies and practiced the bag change and peristomal skin care procedure numerous times with the medical staff while in the hospital.
So, now that you have returned home, it is time to take care of your child without medical aid.
Here are 12 tips that will help you manage your child’s ostomy with greater confidence:
1. Keep a new ostomy garment and an extra change of clothes on hand at all times.
It is best to avoid being left without ostomy collection systems. In fact, as the Latins used to say “Melius est abundare quam deficere” (better to abound than to be in short supply).
Therefore, we recommend that you set up a travel bag with all the products you will need to manage your child’s ostomy. An ostomy travel bag will allow you to to always have all the essentials on hand for a quick change, no matter where you are.
2. Use a detergent with a self-balancing pH to wash your baby, especially around the ostomy.
Ordinary wipes or baby wipes often contain oily ingredients that may hinder the perfect adhesion of the presidium.
We recommend that you use a cleanser with a self-balancing pH, as it is specific for ostomy hygiene. This product is made for ostomy hygiene and the care of your baby’s sensitive skin. With its formula with self-balancing pH and the absence of parabens and petrolatum, it ensures maximum hygiene of the ostomy and surrounding skin.
In fact, an improper peristomal skin hygiene routine could cause skin changes, itching and pain for your child. Therefore, we recommend that you use ostomy-specific products.
3. Empty the collection system when full for ⅓.
It is important to empty the ostomy collection system on time.
Effluents are highly corrosive and it is best to avoid them coming in contact with your child’s ostomy and peristomal skin.
Also, remember to always empty the bag before naptime.
4. Learn to recognize an infected peristomal skin
The color of your baby’s peristomal skin should appear the same color as the rest of the abdomen. If you want to learn how to recognize and manage common skin irritations, check out this article.
With this guide you will be able to identify and treat the most common skin changes, however, should you have any further concerns, then get in touch with your referring physician.
5. Perform the best skin hygiene routine for your baby
Your baby’s skin is already very sensitive, and now that he has an ostomy it is even more so.
Therefore, it is absolutely essential to perform proper hygiene and care of your child’s ostomy through the use of ostomy-specific products.
For example, the Bioderm dermoactive cream is perfect for daily moisturization of the skin, protecting it from irritation. In addition, this cream, being specifically for peristomal skin care, will not hinder the adhesive power of the ostomy garment.
To perfect your entire peristomal skin care and hygiene routine and avoid any mistakes that could cause your child’s skin to break out, take a look at the 10 steps for perfect peristomal skin hygiene.
6. Expect to see blood leaking from your son/daughter’s ostomy with each bag change
This happens because, with an ostomy, the blood vessels are very close to the surface. Remember, however, that the stoma has no nerve endings, so your baby will not feel any pain.
Finally, contact the pediatrician if the bleeding is profuse or if it does not stop after a few minutes.
7. Warm the plate slightly before applying it
You can do this by rubbing the plaque between your hands or using a hair dryer for a few seconds to warm the glue. This will ensure a better grip of the adhesive plaque and, at the same time, you will be able to avoid any leaks.
8. Purchase an ostomy band
If your child is very lively or likes to do vigorous physical activities (such as swimming), an ostomy band can keep the collection system in place while your child is having fun.
If you are the search for an ostomy band for your child, take a look here:
9. Pay attention to your child’s diet
As time goes by, your child will be able to return to assimilating all the foods he ate before surgery. However, in the beginning it is very important to pay special attention to diet because the food he ingests directly affects his effluent production.
Make sure your child:
- chew your food well
- Consumes small and frequent portions of food (about 5 per day)
- do not consume food that is too high in fiber
- remain well hydrated
10. Prevent your baby’s bag from swelling
The bag tends to swell often because of the gas. To avoid this problem, use bags with filters. Also, pay special attention to your child’s diet to avoid excessive gas production.
11. Learn to recognize when your child is dehydrated
It is very important that your child is well hydrated. Make sure you know how to recognize when your baby needs to drink, or better yet, remember to make him drink frequently throughout the day, whether he asks for it or not.
12. If you have any concerns or questions, call your pediatrician or stomatherapist
These medical figures are there to help you and your child, so don’t hesitate to call them with any concerns.
Also, contact your referring physician immediately if any of these specific situations happen to your child:
- if he vomits often
- If he has a high fever
- If your baby’s evacuations begin to differ from what might be considered normal (in consistency, color, odor, frequency).
- If bleeding occurs or if it does not stop after a few minutes after removing the adhesive plaque.
- If substantial peristomal skin irritation is present
- If the child shows incessant pain or seems dizzy, nervous, or does not eat or drink
These may (but not necessarily!) be signs that there is a problem with your child’s ostomy or health. In any case, it is best to seek immediate medical advice from an experienced doctor.
Final considerations
With the right preparation you will be able to ensure excellent health for your child. Remember that the Internet is full of resources and even online communities of parents whose children have ostomies, with whom you can exchange advice and concerns.
Facebook support groups for parents of children with a stoma can be a wonderful place to discuss your anxieties with other parents who share the same experience and face the same problems.
For more information on how to find the right ostomy support group or how to find an ostomatherapist, check out this article.
Above all: Don’t Worry! Your baby can and will have a happy and healthy childhood. All your baby needs is your love, warmth and care.
Frequently asked questions
Still can’t find the answer to your question? We have collected the most frequently asked questions related to pediatric ostomy:
How do you bathe a child with an ostomy?
You can bathe your baby as you would any child, and you can bathe him or her with or without the bag. The only thing you will need to consider is to wash the peristomal skin with a ostomy-specific cleanser with a formula that has a self-balancing pH.
Avoid baby soaps or cleansers, because they contain oils that form a film on a child’s skin and can prevent plaque from adhering properly to the peristomal skin.