Caring for your child during treatment

Learn how to prepare your home, plan for hospital stays, and set healthy routines for sleep, nutrition, and hygiene before your child begins treatment. 

Hospital stays   

Blood cancer treatment for children usually takes place in either a hospital setting or a clinic. Your child may be admitted to the hospital as soon as the diagnosis is known or suspected. This may be the first time your child has had to stay in a hospital or has even stayed away from home for an extended period of time. 

Rules vary by facility, but keep the following considerations in mind when your child’s treatment includes a hospital stay: 

• Ask members of the healthcare team if you and your child can tour the unit before the stay
• Talk to your child. Emphasize that the stay is temporary and explain why it is necessary.
• Children may be afraid of being left at the hospital. If you need to leave your child’s room, let your child know you are leaving and when you will be back.
• Remember to take care of your needs too. Take breaks during the day. Go for a walk. Do not forget to eat.
• Keep in mind the needs of your other children. It is hard to be there for everyone; however, the other children in your family need support as well. Ask family members and friends to help.
• Many hospitals have a family lounge that you can visit so that you can get out of the room and socialize for a while
• All children need time to play, even when hospitalized. Many children’s hospitals have a playroom or recreation room with toys, books, and activities. Your child may be able to play with other children who are also receiving treatment.
• Ask if there are free or discounted food options for parents. You and your child may get tired of hospital food. Check to see if there is a cooking facility for families where you can refrigerate and prepare food.
• During the hospital stay, even though nurses are available, your child may want your help with activities such as going to the bathroom or bathing. Allow your child to choose who will help them. Some children may feel more comfortable with a parent. Other children and teenagers may prefer nurses.
• Learn the rules for visitors and quiet hours. Visitors who are sick should not visit your child. 

What to bring to the hospital 

The hospital will supply necessities such as meals, gowns, and toiletries, but you and your child may feel more comfortable bringing some of the following items from home: 

• Bathrobe, pajamas, socks, and slippers
• If your child has an intravenous (IV) line or a port in place, choose clothing that allows members of the healthcare team easy access
• A favorite toy, blanket, or pillowcase
• A book, coloring or activity book, tablet, or other items for entertainment
• A charger for a cell phone, tablet, or some other electronic device
• Pictures of family members, friends, or pets
• Cards, posters, or other special items from friends, classmates or teammates
• Preferred toiletries
• Favorite snacks that may not be available at the hospital cafeteria (following dietary restrictions)
• Reusable water bottle 

Preparing the home 

The following changes to your home may make life easier and safer for you and your child: 

• Move comfortable, easy-to-wear clothing to the front of your child’s closet. If your child  loses their hair during treatment, find warm caps, hats, and scarves to use to keep the head warm and protect the scalp from the sun.
• Keep throw blankets and extra quilts in an accessible location. Children in cancer treatment may be more susceptible to cold.
• Use nonslip bathmats, both in and outside the tub/shower
• Keep stairs and hallways well lit
• Get rid of slippery rugs that can bunch up and cause a tripping hazard
• Find a safe place to keep medications so that none of the children in your home will be able to get to them
• Buy disposable gloves for cleaning up vomit or other messes
• Use non-breakable dishes and cups
• Stock your pantry, fridge, and freezer with healthy food choices 

Protecting a weakened immune system 

Children in cancer treatment are at a higher risk for infection. The following tips can help you and your child avoid infections: 

• Wash hands well and often
• Avoid friends or family members who are sick
• Avoid crowds of people
• Wear a mask in crowds and emergency room waiting areas
• Ask the healthcare team which vaccines and boosters your child needs
• An annual flu shot is recommended for all children older than 6 months, even children receiving cancer treatment. Your child should receive the flu shot, which is made from the dead virus. They must not get the nasal spray vaccine because the spray contains the live flu virus. The live virus can be dangerous for immunosuppressed patients. Everyone in your home and people who spend time with your child should also receive the flu shot, not the nasal spray vaccine.
• If your child (or siblings) attends school or day care, ask teachers and staff members to alert you if your child may have been exposed to chicken pox, shingles, pink eye, strep throat, lice, or other illnesses. If your child has been exposed to chicken pox or shingles, alert the healthcare team immediately.
• Talk to your child’s teachers or school administrators about ways to reduce infection in the classroom, such as frequent handwashing, using gel or liquid hand sanitizers, and wiping down desks and school supplies with disinfecting wipes
• Clean cuts and scrapes immediately
• Avoid activities that put your child at risk for cuts or other injuries
• Take appropriate precautions around pets and animals
• Practice good food safety. Remind your child not to share utensils or drinks, or take bites from anyone else’s food.
• Regularly disinfect frequently touched items in the home including remotes, tablets, phones, faucets, light switches, doorknobs, and railings
• Clean your child’s toys properly. Favorite toys may need to be cleaned more often.
• Do not undertake major home renovations during your child’s cancer treatment. Talk to your child’s healthcare team before any renovations are started.
• Do not let your child be near freshly laid mulch or play in piles of leaves or hay, and limit time around campfires
• Contact the healthcare team immediately if you notice any of the following signs and/or symptoms of infection:
• A fever of 100.4°F or higher
• Chills
• Persistent coughing
• Tenderness at a site prone to infection, such as the area around the anus or the nasal sinuses
• Redness, swelling, tenderness or discharge from any cut, scrape, or insertion site
• A sore throat
• Pain when urinating
• Frequent diarrhea or loose bowel movements 

Hygiene and personal care 

Good hygiene and personal care help to lower the risk of infection in immunosuppressed children, such as those receiving cancer treatment. 

Wash your hands with soap and warm water frequently. Your child should also wash their hands frequently, especially before eating, after using the bathroom, after playing with other children or pets, or playing outside. Encourage other people in your home and anybody else who interacts with your child to do the same. You can also use either liquid or gel hand sanitizer to keep hands clean. 

Your child may also need to modify their hygiene habits. Depending on your child’s age and how well they are feeling, you may or may not need to assist them with hygiene, or you may only need to help with certain tasks. 

Nutrition 

Good nutrition is important for all children. A child with a cancer diagnosis may have additional nutritional needs or challenges. Speak to your child’s healthcare team about any foods that should be avoided or any special precautions that should be taken. Some foods can interact with cancer treatments or make them less effective. Good nutrition during cancer treatment can help your child feel better, avoid treatment delays, and recover faster. 

A child’s nutritional needs depend on their age, sex, and health. A child who is receiving cancer treatment may need additional calories or protein. To get specific recommendations for your child’s nutritional needs, talk to your child’s healthcare team and ask for a referral to a registered dietitian with expertise in pediatric oncology nutrition.  

Read more about Food and Nutrition or schedule a free one-on-one nutrition consultation with a registered dietitian with expertise in oncology nutrition. This free service is available for patients and caregivers of all ages and cancer types.

Schedule a Consultation

Food safety 

Cancer and cancer treatment weaken your child’s immune system. It is important to pay special attention to food safety guidelines to reduce your child’s risk of being exposed to potentially harmful bacteria from spoiled or undercooked foods.  For more, see Diet Guidelines for Immunosuppressed Patients. 

Sleep 

Sleep is an important part of healthy childhood development. Take steps to help your child get the recommended amount of sleep for their age group. Create a bedtime routine and provide a comfortable sleep environment. If your child wets the bed, use a plastic mattress cover and have extra sheets available for quick cleanup. 

Even if your child slept well before the cancer diagnosis, some cancer treatments can cause difficulty sleeping. Talk to the healthcare team if this is an issue. 

Caring for kids and adolescents workbook 

The information in the Caring for Kids and Adolescents with Blood Cancer workbook is written for the parent/caregiver of a minor child (up to age 18), and includes information about caring for your child, treatment options, school, nutrition, financial and legal issues, and more. This Family Workbook includes a set of worksheets and activities and includes a tote, journal, pen, and pill organizer. 

Use the following worksheets to help you in your caregiving role: