What is Tube Feeding?
Tube feeding is a way of getting your body the nutrition it needs. Tube feed is a liquid form of nourishment that's delivered to your body through a flexible tube. The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what you would get from normal food, and are also digested in the same way. Tube feed contains all the nutrients you need on a daily basis, including carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Types of tube feeds
Everyone has different nutritional requirements. The type of feed you receive is tailored to your needs and will depend on a number of factors, including your weight, height, activity level, medical condition, home circumstances and whether you can still eat and drink some amount. There is a wide range of tube feed products that covers all nutritional needs, including:
- Low or high energy requirements
- With or without fibre
- High protein needs
- Lactose (milk) intolerance.
When in hospital, your dietitian will discuss with you the best type of feed for your unique circumstances, which will ensure you receive the optimal nutrition and care.
Types of feeding tubes
Your feed can be delivered using one of the following types of tubes:
- Nasogastric feeding tube (NG)
- Nasojejunal feeding tube (NJ)
- Gastrostomy tubes, e.g. percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG)
- Jejunostomy tubes, e.g. surgical jejunostomy (JEJ), jejunal extension of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG-J).
Your healthcare professional will recommend the type of feeding tube that's best for you.
Gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes are less visible than NG or NJ tubes but require a procedure/surgery for placement where a stoma site is formed.
NG or NJ tubes, by contrast, do not require surgery for placement but they are more visible than a gastrostomy/jejunostomy and insertion may cause discomfort when placed.
Type of feeding tube | Where the tube is inserted | When it's used |
Nasogastric (NG) feeding tube | Through the nose, down the oesophagus and into the stomach | Usually for short- term tube feeding (six to eight weeks) |
Nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube | Through the nose, down the oesophagus, through the stomach and into the small intestine (jejunum) | When feeding into the stomach isn't tolerated |
Gastrostomy tube (e.g. PEG or RIG) | Directly into the stomach through a small incision in the abdomen's skin | For long-term use (more than six weeks) |
Jejunostomy tube (e.g. JEJ or PEG-J) | Through the stomach and into the small intestine (jejunum) (PEG-J) or directly into the small intestine (jejunum) (JEJ) through a small incision in the abdomen's skin | For long-term use (more than six weeks) |
Glossary:
Stoma site = an opening from the outside of the body through the skin where the feeding tube enters into the stomach or the small intestine (jejunum).
What is Tube Feeding?
Tube feeding is a way of getting your child's body the nutrition it needs. Tube feed is a liquid form of nourishment that's delivered to your child's body through a flexible tube. The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what they would get from normal food, and are also digested in the same way. Tube feed contains all the nutrients your child needs on a daily basis, including carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Types of tube feeds
Every child has different nutritional requirements. The type of feed that will be recommended for your child is tailored to their needs and will depend on a number of factors, including their weight, height, activity level, medical condition, their home circumstances, and whether they can still eat and drink some amount. There is a wide range of tube feed products that covers all nutritional needs, including:
- Low or high energy requirements
- With or without fibre
- High protein needs
- Lactose (milk) intolerance.
When in hospital, your child's dietitian will discuss with you the best type of feed for their unique circumstances, which will ensure he or she receives the optimal nutrition and care.
Types of feeding tubes
Your child's feed can be delivered using one of the following types of tubes:
- Nasogastric feeding tube (NG)
- Nasojejunal feeding tube (NJ)
- Gastrostomy tubes, e.g. percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG)
- Jejunostomy tubes, e.g. surgical jejunostomy (JEJ), jejunal extension of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG-J).
Your healthcare professional will recommend the type of feeding tube that's best for your child.
Gastrostomy and jejunostomy tubes are less visible than the NG or NJ tubes but require a procedure/surgery for placement where a stoma site is formed.
NG or NJ tubes, by contrast, do not require surgery for placement but they are more visible than a gastrostomy/jejunostomy and insertion may cause discomfort when placed.
Ruby Rabbit's story can help explain to your child what nasogastric tube feeding is - you can download the booklet here.
TYPE OF FEEDING TUBE | WHERE THE TUBE IS INSERTED | WHEN IT'S USED |
Nasogastric (NG) feeding tube | Through the nose, down the oesophagus and into the stomach | Usually for short-term tube feeding (six to eight weeks) |
Nasojejunal (NJ) feeding tube | Through the nose, down the oesophagus, through the stomach and into the small intestine (jejunum) | When feeding into the stomach isn't tolerated |
Gastrostomy tube (e.g. PEG or RIG) | Directly into the stomach through a small incision in the abdomen's skin | For long-term use (more than six weeks) |
Jejunostomy tube (e.g. JEJ or PEG-J) | Through the stomach and into the small intestine (jejunum) (PEG-J) or directly into the small intestine (jejunum) (JEJ) through a small incision in the abdomen's skin | For long-term use (more than six weeks) |
Gastrostomy button
At some point, your healthcare professional may decide to replace your child's gastrostomy tube with what's called a low-profile gastrostomy button. The small 'button' acts like a port leading to the stomach. It has a much shorter tube that sits closely to the skin.
A button is placed the same way as a gastrostomy tube, and both are held in place by a water-filled balloon. This option is generally preferred by healthcare professionals and parents alike as it is more practical for use in children
Billy Bear's story can help explain to your child what gastrostomy button feeding is - you can the booklet download it here.
Glossary:
Stoma site = an opening from the outside of the body through the skin where the feeding tube enters into the stomach or the small intestine (jejunum).
