Stoma care do's and don'ts About the stoma
Do A stoma is an opening between part of the
intestine and the abdominal wall (stomach
Have your child take a stool softener. This area). It lets stool and gas exit the body into
keeps stool soft and moving, especially while a pouch. A stoma is also called an ostomy.
taking pain medication. Ask your child’s
Stool and gas will pass naturally through the
surgeon how often your child should take a
stoma. Your child does not need to strain or
stool softener.
push. Your child had a colostomy. This
Check the skin around the stoma for redness means the stoma is between the abdominal
or irritation. The skin around the stoma should wall and large intestine.
not be red, raw, swollen or burning. The stoma will be swollen right after
Keep in touch with your child’s stoma nurse. surgery. The stoma will get smaller as it
The nurse can teach you about the stoma and heals.
how to change the pouch. The nurse can also
adjust the pouch size as your child grows.
About the pouch
Your child will wear a pouch to collect
stool and gas. She will wear the pouch at
all times.
Do not The pouch is sealed tightly against your
child’s skin. If the seal is tight, it should
Do not let your child lift or carry anything heavy
not leak or smell. If it does smell, check if
after surgery. The surgeon will tell you when
there is a leak. Check if the clip or
your child can lift or carry things.
Velcro® is dirty or if the end of the pouch
Do not let your child soak in the bath or swim
is not sealed.
until the incision is healed. The incision is where
Water can make the seal loose and cause
the surgeon cut into the skin.
Do not rinse the pouch. It can make the seal
around the skin weak and cause leaks. It can also
bother the skin. Stoma care do's and don'ts
Do not use baby wipes on the skin around the
stoma. They can make it harder for the next Do
pouch to seal tightly. Always carry extra supplies. This can
include pouches, stoma powder and extra
clothes in case of a leak.
Empty the pouch when it is 1/3 full (almost
halfway) full of stool or gas. Change the
Clothing and seatbelts pouch if it leaks or if the skin is red, itchy or
Have your child wear loose clothing for 2-3 weeks burning.
after surgery. Clothing should not be tight against Change the pouch 3-4 times a week. Change
the stoma. it in the morning or before breakfast. The
For babies, onesies can help keep him from stoma is less active at that time.
pulling the pouch off.
Seatbelts should not press or rub against the stoma
or the pouch.
Activities and going back to school
It can take a few weeks or months for your
child to feel like going back to his/her normal
activities. She might feel tired for 3-6 weeks
after surgery.
The surgeon will tell you when your child can
go back to his normal activities.
Activities and going back to school
It’s normal for your child to feel nervous about going
back to school, traveling or playing with friends and
family. Talk with your child’s stoma nurse or child
life specialist for ideas on how to help your child feel
more comfortable.
You might need to change the pouch sooner if your
child takes a bath or swims on a day when you
change the pouch. Water can loosen the seal on the
pouch and cause leaks.
Empty the pouch before your child bathes or swims.
Cleaning leaks and treating skin irritation
Leaks
Leaks can happen if the pouch is not sealed tightly
or if your child’s skin is irritated. Leaks can also
happen if the pouch is full of stool or gas.
Tell your child that leaks happen. Leaks are nothing
to be embarrassed about. Here is what to do if the
pouch leaks:
1. Have your child stand as still as possible.
Use a paper towel to clean up the leak.
2. Remove the old pouch. Clean the skin with
gentle soap and water.
3. Gently pat the skin dry.
4. Put on a new pouch
Skin irritation
Leaks can bother your child’s skin. Here is how to treat skin
irritation:
1. Remove the old pouch. Clean the skin around the
stoma with water.
2. Gently pat the skin dry.
3. Apply stoma powder. Rub in the stoma powder.
Brush away the extra powder. Dab the skin with
3M® Cavilon No Sting Barrier.
4. Let the skin dry. Put on a new pouch.
If your child’s skin is still irritated, call the ostomy nurse.
When to call the stoma nurse
If the skin around the stoma is red, itchy or burning for more
than 2 days
If you have trouble putting on the pouch or keeping a tight
seal on the pouch
If you are worried or have questions about anything
When to call the doctor
Your child has a fever higher than 102°F(38.3°C)
There is heavy bleeding from the incision (where the surgeon cut into
the skin) through the dressing or the stoma
New redness, swelling, pain, pus or a foul smell from the stoma or
incision
Your child has stomach, pain, upset stomach, vomiting or very bad
diarrhea
Your child has no stool for more than 1 day
The stoma changes color from red to black
