NG Tube Feeding in Babies- Considerations While Doing It at Home

A nostalgic (NG) tube is a thin and long tube that is inserted in the nose. It passes through the throat and then reaches the stomach. The main purpose of NG tube is feeding the babies who are not able to take food through the mouth due to any health issue or in the case it is risky for them to take the food through the mouth. In that case, NG tube feeding is done to ensure proper nutrition intake for the babies.

However, the NG tubes can only be used to pass the liquid. And it depends on the physical condition and food requirements of a baby that whether the tube will be used for feeding the baby entirely or for giving her just a few extra calories.




Taking care of the tube

If your baby is on NG tube feeding, her nurse would teach you flushing the tube and performing proper skin care, especially around the nose. So, here are the steps you must follow:

Flushing the tube

You are recommended to flush the tube after every feeding.

• Wash your hands properly before giving a feed.
• When the feeding is finished, wash the tube by adding warm water with the help of a syringe.
• If the water does not pass through, try further by changing the positions or by using a plunger.
• Remove the syringe and close the cap of the tube. 

Taking care of the skin 

• Every time you feed the baby, clean her skin by using warm water and a washcloth. 
• Use mineral oil or any other lubricant to loosen the bandage when dressing. 
• In the case you notice irritation or redness in baby's nose, insert the tube into another nostril. If you don't know the procedure, you can call the nurse to do that. 

However, it is not only about the using the tube right way during NG tube feeding but you also need to pay attention that what is being given to the baby. If you are unaware of the right food choices, you can contact Nutrition4Kids (a trustworthy and expert guide for making nutritional food choice for babies) to know the healthiest feed options for your baby. To know more about them, you can visit http://www.nutrition4kids.com.