Purpose

To elucidate mealtime experiences of children hospitalized with a malignant or severe non-malignant disorder —and their parents—after a gastrostomy tube insertion.

Methods

A qualitative design involving a child-centred care approach was used. Parents of children aged 1–18 years old who had received a gastrostomy tube during treatment for a malignant or non-malignant disorder were included, as were the children themselves when aged 5–18 years old. Semi-structured interviews with 21 families were carried out and a thematic analysis performed.

Results

The findings were presented in four themes: changed meal conditions, a troublesome sensory dimension, aggravating obstacles and solving the unmanageable. Hospitalization involves challenges regarding environmental aspects, hospital food and side effects, contributing to impaired nutritional intake and aggravated mealtime situations.

Conclusions

Hospital environment and hospital food have a profound impact on children's nutritional intake and mealtime situations. In addition, sensory aspects and side effects aggravate the child's motivation to eat, resulting in demanding meals. The families described a gastrostomy tube as a valuable strategy for improving mealtime situations.