The holiday flurry is rushing in with Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and every other joyous reason to celebrate now until the New Year. What do these holidays have in common that can pose a challenge to those of us with a feeding tube? You got it — food. Here are four tips to help you and your family enjoy a smoother, more festive season with a feeding tube.
- Set Your Goals. There’s no ironclad approach on how to embrace the holidays with a feeding tube. However, one important step is to determine in advance what is right for you and your family, so you don’t feel caught in a situation.
You may choose to visit with family or friends before or after a meal. Holiday memories can be made by engaging in nonfood-related activities!
Conversely, you might set a goal to participate in holiday meals. Mealtime is an important opportunity for socialization and development for children and there are ways children with a feeding tube can be involved in family mealtime. For example, plan an activity that can take place along with the meal such as having everyone go around the table and say what they are thankful for or what their wish is for the New Year.
- Notify Friends and Family in Advance. Well-intended loved ones may unintentionally make holiday celebrations more challenging by not understanding your specific needs or personal goals, especially when it comes to traditions centered around food. Explain your plan in advance. This will help alleviate any confusion and make everyone feel more comfortable on the day of the gathering.
For example, you can inform your guests that you or your child will (or will not) be “eating” during the meal, but you’re still excited to be sitting at that table with everyone to celebrate. During these pre-event discussions, consider taking the opportunity to shift the holiday emphasis off of food and onto gratitude.
The Oley Foundation offers great advice for scaling holiday hurdles including making a special effort to thank the people who support you. Kind words nourish us all.
- Dial Up Your Other Senses. The holidays are such a sensory time of year, especially because of food. While taste may take a backseat for you or your loved one because of tube feeding, you can still make the other four senses holiday happy. Listen to your favorite holiday songs while running errands in the car. Watch a holiday classic movie with the family.
Feel the holidays come to life with crafty, DIY sparkly decorations. You can help your child decorate pumps, gravity feeding bags and feeding backpacks with decorations that do not interfere with nutrition delivery or proper functioning of the equipment. You can also enjoy the sweet, festive aroma of holiday spices such as cinnamon. Did you know that cinnamon is one of the ingredients in Compleat® Organic Blends Plant-based Blend? Selected for its pleasing aroma and after taste, the scent of cinnamon can add to the holiday spirit.
- Stock Up On Supplies Now. Being prepared is a staple for families that tube feed. With the holiday frenzy upon us, it is even more important to have what you need for your tube feeds before you actually need it.
Have extra supplies on hand, such as a backup button, backup pump and charger. The key to managing tube feedings away from home is to make sure you have all the equipment and formula you or your child will need. You can prepare tube feedings in advance and store them in the freezer. Visit the Compleat® Blend at Home page for Blend from Scratch recipes, and helpful tips on preparing your own blenderized tube feedings.*
Happy Holidays from all of us at Compleat® Organic Blends!
No endorsement of any brand or product by the Oley Foundation or the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation is implied or intended.
*Always work with a registered dietitian nutritionist or other healthcare professional to choose or create recipes that fit you or your loved one's specific nutritional needs, food preferences, food allergies, and intolerances. For some medical conditions, a homemade tube feeding may not be advised.
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