Texas Children's emphasizes the importance of nutrition to your child's recovery
Meals
You will receive a menu daily to select your child’s meals for the next day. The menu is designed to provide a variety of foods to meet your child’s nutritional needs.
Breakfast is served 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Lunch is served 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Dinner is served 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On some days, treatments or tests may prevent your child from eating. When this occurs, your child’s nurse can obtain a meal tray once tests are completed.
Modified diets
The doctor may order a special diet for your child. If so, your child should eat only the foods listed on the menu unless a nurse or Texas Children’s dietitian has approved other food. Ask the nurse to contact a dietitian if you have any questions about your child’s diet.
Formula, breastfeeding and baby food
Formulas for infants are provided in ready-to-feed bottles or from the formula room if a specialized formula is ordered. Mothers of breastfeeding infants younger than 10 months can be provided meal trays free of charge.
One option for newborns is Texas Children’s Mother's Milk Bank, a state-of-the-art collection, labeling, refrigeration and dispensing center that stores and prepares deposited breast milk to feed infants in the Newborn Center nurseries.
A menu with second- and third-stage baby foods and soft table foods is provided for patients.