It is certainly devastating to know that your child has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. But once you have accepted this fact, you should learn how to cope with your child's CKD and participate actively in his care. This means you should work together with health care professionals.
The question that is hounding parents is how to go about it? How can they help their children? The first thing to keep in mind is to build a respectful and cooperative relationship with the health professionals who are taking care of the child's medical needs. During treatments or any hospitalizations you should try to go with your child. If there are instances where you cannot accompany your child make sure that another family member or close friend can go. It is also good to keep a record of your child's medical history so that it's easier to track medication and other treatments, especially when you are dealing with a new doctor.
During a doctor's visit, encourage your child to ask questions. He may ask questions that you were afraid to ask. Explain to him that the health care personnel composed of doctors, nurses, dieticians among others, want him to feel better even though they must inflict pain or make him feel uncomfortable sometimes. Don't lie to your child about treatments; however you also don't have to apologize for these procedures. Explain to your child what are being done at doctor's offices, dialysis units and hospitals to take away his fear. Try to maintain a daily routine during hospitalization so that your child is not subjected to uncalled for surprises.Meanwhile, parents should also explain to their children the diet restrictions resulting from their CKD. Tell your child to make a list of his favorite foods and bring this list to a dietician to check if these foods can be included in his/her diet. Never bribe or force a child to eat because it turns mealtime into an ugly experience.
On taking medication, make it clear to your child that he has no choice but to take the medicine. Children usually don't like taking medicines because they don't taste good. One trick is to offer them the choice of when and where to take the medicine. This way the "distasteful" medicine is expected at a certain time and place and makes the experience less "dreadful." For babies and children, you can use the syringe without needle. This is easier because the medication goes directly into the mouth without having the child taste or smell it. Plain water also helps with any medication. If your child is on a fluid restricted diet you can schedule his fluid intake during medicine time.