Make A Tubie Stuffed Animal

Creating a stuffed animal with a feeding tube can be both a comforting and educational project, particularly for children who might need feeding tubes themselves or know someone who does. This project can help in normalizing medical devices and making them less intimidating. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a stuffed animal with a feeding tube:

Materials Needed:

  • A stuffed animal

  • A small length of medical tubing (you can use a clean piece of aquarium tubing or similar)

  • Scissors

  • A needle and thread (or fabric glue for a no-sew option)

  • A small piece of Velcro (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preparing the Stuffed Animal: Choose a stuffed animal that is large enough to accommodate the insertion of a feeding tube. Ideally, it should have a soft body that can be easily manipulated. Make a small incision on the side of the stuffed animal where you want the feeding tube to be inserted. This should be large enough to insert the tubing but small enough to sew back up without too much difficulty.

  2. Inserting the Tube: Take your piece of medical tubing and insert it into the incision. Push one end of the tube through the stuffing so that it comes out of the mouth of the stuffed animal. This will simulate the feeding tube going into the stomach. Ensure that the tube is secure but can move a little to mimic the flexibility of a real feeding tube.

  3. Securing the Tube: Once the tube is in place, sew up the incision carefully. If sewing isn’t an option, you can use fabric glue to close the incision. Make sure the tube is securely attached to the fabric around the incision so it doesn’t move too much. If you want to make the feeding tube removable, you can attach a small piece of Velcro to the tube and the stuffed animal to hold it in place.

Customization and Use:

After the feeding tube is securely attached, you can customize the stuffed animal further. For instance, you can add a small pouch or pocket to hold the end of the tube when not in use. This can be done by sewing a little pocket on the side of the stuffed animal. You can also explain the purpose of the feeding tube in a simple and friendly manner to help children understand its use and importance.

This project not only creates a comforting companion for children but also serves as an educational tool to demystify medical devices. It can be a great way to foster empathy and understanding in both children and adults.