How should an ileostomy be cared for?
As soon as possible, involve your child in caring for his or her own ileostomy. Children as young as three may offer help by handing you supplies or actually doing some of the care. By age six or seven most children should be able to assume full responsibility of routine care of their ostomies. Ileostomy drainage is continuous and watery, so your child will need to wear a bag at all times. The ileostomy pouch must be changed when leaking or every three days. Since everyone’s ostomy is managed differently, while you and your child are in the hospital, we will work with you to tailor the care to your child’s special needs and developmental stage.
