Daycare for feeding tubes?

[Anonymous]

My 4 month old recently began feeding using an ng tube and may have a g tube in the next several months. We had daycare lined up but I am skeptical that our place is able to handle the time/complexity of feeding tubes. Does anyone have any recommendations for daycares or other childcare options that are open to or geared toward special medical needs? We live in Chevy Chase/Silver Spring, MD so would be able to make NE/NE DC, Bethesda, and Silver Spring work best.

[Anonymous]

Many years ago, my baby with a feeding tube attended Easter Seals Daycare. I have also heard great things about Karasik daycare, although I think they have quite a waiting list.

The gtube turned out to be one of the best parenting decisions I've made, and allowed him to grow and thrive. He stopped using it around his second birthday. I hope you have a similar outcome!

[Anonymous]

Children with disabilities get out at the top of the wait lists at karasik so that would be worth a shot.

[Anonymous]

Definitely try Karasik. They have a nurse on staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many years ago, my baby with a feeding tube attended Easter Seals Daycare. I have also heard great things about Karasik daycare, although I think they have quite a waiting list.

The gtube turned out to be one of the best parenting decisions I've made, and allowed him to grow and thrive. He stopped using it around his second birthday. I hope you have a similar outcome!

Thank you for the recommendations and for your hopeful story. I need all the examples of happy endings I can get.

[Anonymous]

Easter Seals should be able to handle this, I would also trust School for Friends or NCRC. You may also want to look into Jubilee Jumpstart? (However I don't think SFF starts until 12M and NCRC until 2Y...)

Gtubes are fantastic for kids who need them, wishing your family all the best!

[Anonymous]

FWIW, roughly 10 years ago I worked at a preschool with a child who had a G Tube. We fed her daily, cleaned the tube, popped it back in when necessary, and constantly reset the monitor when it went off (usually a blocked tube or something). It was NO. BIG. DEAL. Truly. I know her parents felt an enormous amount of relief knowing their child could have a normal life at school bc there were adults willing to learn how to care for their child. I am wishing the same for yours. <3

[Anonymous]

If you’re willing to consider an in-home daycare, some might be able to help you. You will have to train them, but that is an option to look into.

[Anonymous]

Call Easter Seals and Karasik. They’ve done this many many times.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Karasik. Their nurse is excellent.