Understanding Enteral Feeding

  • Enteral Feeding, commonly called “Tube Feeding” is a different way to provide food if a person is unable to consume adequate nutrition. It can be the sole source of nutrition or used in addition to oral eating. Tube feeding uses special formulas given directly into the stomach or intestines for digestion. There are hundreds of health conditions that require feeding tubes and people of all ages can receive them. Because everyone has different needs, and there are many types of feeding tubes and formulas, you and your doctor will decide what is best for your child. Tube feeding can be a short or long-term solution and is not permanent. Enteral nutrition is a safe way to give your child all the nutrients they need to heal, grow, and live.

  • Benefits:

    • An efficient and effective option for gaining needed nutrients

    • Minimal complications

    • Maintains GI mucosal barrier

    • Reduces the risk of septic complications

    • Improves healing, recovery, and weaning

    • Stimulates blood flow within the intestines

    • Variety of tube feeding options and formulas

    • Reduced gut permeability

    Possible Risks:

    • Skin rash or irritation around the insertion area

    • Tube dislodgment or blockage

    • Refeeding Syndrome

    • Constipation or Diarrhea

    • Aspiration

    Creating habits such as keeping a sanitized workspace, washing your hands, and properly cleaning equipment can help reduce these risks.

  • Depending on the situation, tube feeding can be a short- or long-term solution. Your doctor will walk you through the procedure and refer you to a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company for monthly supplies.

    Your provider will provide education on all the supplies and how to perform your child's feeds prior to hospital discharge.

    It will take time to adjust to a different lifestyle. Scheduling regular mealtimes every 3-4 hours and engaging in table conversation can aid the adjustment. You can also keep a feeding log to stay organized and track feeding tolerance.

TUBE FEEDING TERMINOLOGY

  • Also known as a "G-button" is a low-profile G-tube positioned against the abdominal wall and kept in place by an inflated, water-filled balloon.

  • Administering water into the feeding tube (usually with a syringe) to clear food, formula, or medication, to keep it from clogging. The length of the tube determines the amount of flush needed (usually between 10–20mL).

  • How food and liquids move through the GI tract. If there is a motility issue, referred to as dysmotility, then food isn’t moving through as it should. There can be dysmotility at any point in the GI tract, from the esophagus all the way to the stomach, intestines, and bowels.

  • Priming is when you remove air from the feeding tube with formula or water. This prevents air from entering the stomach which can lead to discomfort such as bloating and gas.

  • The stoma is the tube site itself (for G-, GJ- and J-tubes). It is the opening that connects the feeding tube on the outside of the body to the stomach or intestine on the inside.

  • Letting the air out of the stomach with a feeding tube.