What is Tube Feeding?
Tube feeding is a way of getting your body the nutrition it needs. Tube feed is a liquid form of food that's carried through your body through a flexible tube. The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what you would get from normal food. They are also digested in the same way. Tube feeds contain all the nutrients you need daily, including carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Types of tube feeds
Everyone has different nutritional needs.
Your individual type of feed depends on your specific needs. A number of things impact this decision. Some of these are your weight, height, activity, medical condition, and home circumstances. As well as whether you can still eat and drink some amount. There is a wide variety of tube feeds available that cover all nutritional needs, including:
- Low or high energy needs
- With or without fibre
- High protein needs
- Lactose (milk) intolerance.
When in hospital, your dietitian will talk with you about the best type of feed for your unique situation. This is to make sure you are given the best nutrition and care.
Types of feeding tubes
Your feed can be given to you 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. They need to be placed during a surgery. This forms the so-called stoma site.
NG or NJ tubes do not need surgery for placement. They are more visible than a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube. But putting in NG or NJ tube may cause discomfort.
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 food that's carried through your child's body through a flexible tube. The nutrients within the tube feed are similar to what they would get from normal food. They are also digested in the same way. Tube feeds contain all the nutrients your child needs daily, including carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water.
Types of tube feeds
Everyone has different nutritional needs.
Your child's individual type of feed depends on their specific needs. A number of things impact this decision. Some of these are your child's weight, height, activity, medical condition, and home circumstances. As well as whether they can still eat and drink some amount. There is a wide variety of tube feeds available that cover all nutritional needs, including:
- Low or high energy needs
- With or without fibre
- High protein needs
- Lactose (milk) intolerance.
When in hospital, your child's dietitian will talk with you about the best type of feed for their unique situation. This is to make sure they are given the best nutrition and care.
Types of feeding tubes
Your child's feed can be given using one of these 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 NG or NJ tubes. They need to be placed during a surgery. This forms the so-called stoma site.
NG or NJ tubes do not need surgery for placement. They are more visible than a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube. But putting in NG or NJ tube may cause discomfort.
Ruby Rabbit's story can help explain to your child what nasogastric tube feeding is. Download it 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 change your child's gastrostomy tube for a low-profile gastrostomy button. The small 'button' acts like a port that goes to the stomach. It has a much shorter tube and sits closely to the skin.
A button is put in place the same way as a gastrostomy tube. Both are held in place by a water-filled balloon. This is often preferred by healthcare professionals and parents as it is more practical for children.
Billy Bear's story can help explain to your child what gastrostomy button feeding is. 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).
