Miles now gets a lot of his nutrition from the tube in his stomach. Slowly he’s eating food by mouth again, but he’s still not back to 100% yet. Or even to 25% yet.
That being said, I have a question.
I’m trying to decide how I should be feeding Miles while in public. Some of you have seen me feed Miles with the tube. Does it make you feel uncomfortable? I was feeding Miles the other day in public and I kind of felt like I did when I was breastfeeding. Of course I covered myself well when I was breastfeeding, and I’ve been covering Miles’ stomach up too, but I still feel a little awkward. BUT, at the same time I don’t want to take him to a bathroom stall to feed him. I would feel terrible. Plus I need more room then a bathroom stall provides.
I don’t know. I just feel self conscience still because I’m not sure what others think, but at the same time I really can’t be swayed too much on what others think because if I need to feed him then I need to feed him.
Anyway, some feedback would be nice. I’ve been thinking about this a lot.
8 comments:
0f course you know me, I was fascinated by it all. I'm just glad I actually know you and was having lunch with you, otherwise I would have been trying to stare at the whole process without you noticing.
Who cares what other people think and if they have the courage to ask you about it, then that's someone else you get to talk to about Miles.
I agree with Pam. I think it's fine to feed him in public and if people stare, they are just curious.
I remember when my brother had to have a feeding tube, but they had to put it in his nose and then it went down his throat. My parents did that in public and once a lady came over and asked what was wrong with him. There were several people eavesdropping (sp?) around, but by the end, everyone understood.
I think if people stare, they're just curious and maybe someone would have the courage to ask you instead of joining in on the stare game.
My sister's granddaughter, Sammi, also has the port to be fed from and I think it is the most amazing thing to watch. Audrey went with us the last time we went to Odessa and she got to see the complete feeding and medication process. She took it all in and has since decided that if I ever have to have one, she knows how to feed me.
Brenda feeds Sammi in public all the time and when people stare, she just starts talking to them. Before you know it she and Sammi have made a new friend. People are just curious and you have to admit, it does look pretty cool. So feed away!
I say Miles has to eat as well, why make him wait until you get home to feed him, he should be able to eat with his family .... so feed away...
if people don't like it they don't have to watch you...
I agree with everything everyone else already said. I really do think most people are just curious. (sp?) Like Pam said, if someone does ask you about it, then that's just one more person who will know about Miles and that person will tell so many more people when he's healed! And you know one of my favorite past times is running people over, so since you have a much bigger car than me, we could run them over in your car if they make you feel uncomfortable. I'm just saying it could be considered therapy if you want!
OMG I LOVE AMAND'S IDEA. GIRLLLL, I HAVE A SLUG BUG.
I WANT TO GET IN ON THE ACTION OF RUNNING PEOPLE OVER.
THIS SOUNDS FUN. LET ME KNOW WHEN WE ARE GOING OUT TO RUN THEM DOWN. LOL
OA YA, AND I AGREE WITH EVERYONE ELSE HERE. FEED THE HANDSOME LITTLE MAN WHEN YOU NEED TO.
My daughter got her tube at age 2 and she is now 13. I was very nervous and uncomfortable at first also, but with time, things got much better.
I, too, use it as an opportunity to educate people. Heck, even my son wanted to take his sister in to school as his science project. He wanted to feed her different colored food and then show everyone what it looked like when it came back out of the tube.
No, I didn't let him do that :)
P.S. Would you consider doing an interview for 5 Minutes For Special Needs? Just email me and let me know (nickersonhome@aol.com).
Thanks!
Deborah
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