Caring for Your Feeding Tube

Caring for Your Feeding Tube (00:02:37)
Video Transcript

A feeding tube is often used when a health condition makes it hard for you to get the nutrition you need. It can help you get back your strength and health.

The tube is placed in your stomach and is used to give you food, liquids, and medicines.

The tube can be used for months or longer ... and it can take time to get used to.

But it will help you get better.

How you use the tube depends on your situation ...

things like how often you want to use it and how much help you have at home.

There are three ways you can use a feeding tube.

You may have a gravity bag. This means you hang a bag of formula from a rod or a hook ...

A syringe is sometimes used ... You put the formula in a syringe ...

Another method is using a pump and a bag.

In all these methods, the formula flows through the tube into your stomach.

Your care team will show you how to use the method you choose.

A feeding tube doesn't have to change what you do ... things like seeing your friends, going to work, or even having a night out. But there are a few things you need to do.

First, prevent infection.

Before you touch the feeding tube, wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them with a clean cloth ...

Clean the end of the feeding tube with an antiseptic wipe after each use ...

And the skin where the tube goes into your belly? Keep it clean and dry.

When you use your feeding tube ...

... be sure to sit up, or keep your head up if you're in bed.

Your doctor will tell you how long to stay up after you've finished.

And lastly, avoid clogging the tube.

Your medicines ... talk to your doctor about these.

You may need to crush them so they don't get stuck in the tube and block it.

And flush the tube with warm water before and after all meals ...

or when putting any medicine through the tube. Your care team will show you how to do these things.

It's unlikely that you'll have any problems. But if you do ... call your care team right away if ...

... you see signs of infection around the place where the tube goes into your body.

These include increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the area ... or a fever.

And call if the tube falls out or leaks ... or if it's blocked and flushing the tube doesn't help. Never try to clear a blocked tube with a wire or another object.

A feeding tube gives you a way to stay strong and keep your energy up.

When you care for it, you're caring for yourself.

You're helping yourself get better.

Current as of: October 7, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.