Tube feeding can be a great way to get the calories and nutrients that you or your child with cystic fibrosis need to gain and maintain a healthy weight. Far from a “last resort,” tube feeds can also relieve the stress of mealtime.
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You will work with your cystic fibrosis care team to make a schedule that works best for you, whether that is between meals, all day or overnight.
To help ensure your child's social, emotional, medical, and educational needs are being met at school, you may consider requesting an evaluation for an individualized education program or a 504 plan through your child's school.
When there is more than one person with CF in your school, it is essential that they be kept a minimum of 6 feet (2 meters) apart from each other. Germs can spread as far as 6 feet through droplets released in the air when people cough or sneeze.
As children with cystic fibrosis transition toward greater independence at school and at home, they will also take greater responsibility in managing their disease.
Delayed puberty is common among young men with CF, but working with your CF care team to ensure you get good nutrition can help encourage healthy development and growth.
At this age, your child with cystic fibrosis is ready to transition from breast milk or formula to whole milk or a high-calorie supplement. Encourage independent eating. Create a consistent schedule and mealtime expectations.
Individuals with cystic fibrosis require more energy to breathe normally, fight lung infections and compensate for poor digestion. For these reasons, they need more calories than people without CF.
Your body needs vitamins to help it grow, function, and fight off infection. Try to incorporate foods rich in these vitamins and take a vitamin supplement, if necessary.
Like vitamins, minerals also help with normal growth, function and maintenance of good health. Individuals with cystic fibrosis can be deficient in these minerals.