Share this on:Copied!

When your child has liver disease, you may wonder how to talk with them about their health. You may worry you’ll scare them or that they won’t understand. Talking to your child about a liver transplant may feel especially hard.

Sharing with your child can help them manage their feelings and know what to expect. But there’s no one right way to do it. When you’re planning to talk to your child about a liver transplant, consider their:

• Age
• Developmental stage
• Personality

Talking To Your Child About Liver Transplant

Think about what your child already knows about their health. If you’re not sure and your child is old enough to talk, start a gentle conversation to find out.

With a young child, you might use toys to pretend to examine their belly. Ask them if they remember when you went to the doctor together. Listen to what they say to learn what they understand.

With older children, you can talk about a recent doctor visit. Ask if they have any questions about what they heard. Use their answers as a starting point for talking about liver transplants.

Talking To Your Child About Transplantation At Every Age

Use what your child knows and the feelings they express to guide your talk. If talking to your child about a liver transplant feels hard, your transplant team can help. Here’s a guide to what you can expect at each age.

Infants (babies up to 12 months)

Your baby can’t understand a conversation about liver transplant. But the sound of your voice helps reassure and calm them. You can comfort your baby throughout the liver transplant process by:

• Cuddling and rocking them.
• Giving them plenty of attention.
• Keeping their routines as regular as you can.
• Taking care of yourself and your own needs.

Seek emotional support for yourself and other family members when you need it. When you’re calm and relaxed, your baby feels safe.

Toddlers (1 to 3 years)

Your toddler is paying attention to the people and places around them. They may fear strangers like doctors or be afraid of the busy transplant center. They also notice when people around them seem scared or upset.

Watch how your child plays and spend quiet time with them. You may see them act out a doctor’s visit with a toy. Or, they may tell you about their feelings.

Talk to your toddler about liver transplant by:

• Helping them express what they’re feeling. Tell them it’s OK if they feel scared and talk about times you felt scared, too.
• Telling them will happen with simple words. You might say, “The doctor will put a new liver in your belly. I’ll be right here the whole time.”
• Using age-appropriate stories and books about going to the hospital.

Preschoolers (3 to 5 years)

Your preschooler does many things on their own. But they may be afraid of things that are new or different. They often can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s imaginary.

Talk to your preschooler about liver transplant by:

• Keeping your explanations simple.
• Listening first before giving extra details. When your child asks questions, ask what they think or feel about it.
• Telling stories, reading books, or watching videos that are right for their age.

School-age kids (6 to 12 years)

Your school-age child becomes more independent every year. They have relationships with their peers and activities they enjoy. They may worry about their safety and whether they can go back to school and activities after transplant.

Your child may also worry about how their liver transplant will affect you. They may feel guilty about making you sad or scared. Talk to your school-age child about liver transplant by:

• Being honest. Don’t hide the truth, but keep it right for their age and personality. If you don’t know the answer to a question they ask, tell them. Let them know you’ll do your best to find out.
• Finding out what they know. When they ask questions about liver transplants, ask what they think. Use their answers to provide the right level of detail.
• Helping them connect with kids like them. Your child may like knowing other kids have had liver transplants, too. Explore peer support groups and programs to help your child meet others with pediatric organ transplants.
• Stay open. Your child may ask the same questions several times or ask new questions. They may want to talk about their feelings right away, or they may need time to process. Let them know it’s OK to talk whenever they want to.
• Use age-appropriate stories. Children may like hearing stories about other kids who’ve had liver transplants.

Teenagers (13 to 18 years)

Your teen may be mature and independent in many ways. They know that a liver transplant is a serious surgery. They may worry about their health and what life will be like after surgery, including if they’ll be different from their friends.

Talk to your teenager about liver transplant by:

• Giving them the information they need and want. Answer their questions as best you can. If you don’t know an answer, be honest.
• Giving them space. Your teenager may want to talk to their doctor alone. Let them talk without you (if that’s what they want) so they don’t have to protect your feelings.
• Letting them learn from peers and connect with other teens who’ve had organ transplants. For teenagers, feeling different from peers can be hard.
• Talking about life and long-term care after transplant. Your child will need to take medicines and have lifelong follow-up care. Talk with them about recovery after a liver transplant and what they can expect.

Support With Talking to Your Child About Liver Transplant

Your liver transplant center has many resources for talking with your child. They can help explain what to expect before, during, and after liver transplant. The support experts on your transplant team include:

• Child life specialists.
• Pediatric transplant coordinator.
• Social workers.

They can help you give your child the right level of information at every age. They connect you with resources that offer emotional support for your child and your entire family. They can also help you talk to your child about what to expect after a liver transplant.