Feeding Tube Insertion

Home care

The following will help you care for yourself at home:

During the first weeks after insertion, do the following:

• Clean the area around the wound daily. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment only if advised by your healthcare provider. Cover the tube at the insertion site with gauze. Make sure the gauze is over the skin and tube, not between. The external bolster should not be tight on the skin. Instead, the tube should be able to move about ½ to ¾ inch and be turned. If not, it's too tight.

• Watch for redness, swelling, or pus coming from the opening in the skin.

• Watch for fluid leaking around the tube and report this to your provider.

• If the tube falls out, it must be put back in within 24 hours or the wound will close up.

Start feedings as instructed:

• Wash your hands with soap and clean, running water before preparing the formula or touching the feeding tube.

• The tube is narrow, so use only commercial feeding formulas. This will help make sure the tube won't get clogged. These formulas are designed to provide all the protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed. Follow your provider’s advice (or the registered dietitian or nurse who is working with you) about the number of feedings to give each day.

• Flush the tube with clear water before and after feedings or after medicine has been given through the tube. This is very important. Otherwise, the tube can become blocked. The amount of water will depend on your age, health, and specific situation. Follow your provider's instructions on how much water to use.

• When feeding, you should be upright or reclining at not less than 30 degrees to reduce the risk of the feeding solution draining incorrectly and causing aspiration into the lungs. Stay in this position for at least 30 minutes after the feeding.

• Infuse food slowly. It may take more than 1 hour for 1 feeding session.

Other guidelines:

• If the tube gets blocked, flush with a syringe full of water.

• If you feel bloated after feeding, remove the cap from the end of the tube so that extra air in the stomach can flow out. Cough to help remove the extra air.

• Oral and dental care is needed, even if you're not taking any food or liquids by mouth. Brush your teeth and gums daily. Keep the lips moist with a lip balm or petroleum jelly.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as advised.

Call 911

Call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Chest pain

• Trouble breathing

When to call your healthcare provider

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Feeding tube falls out

• Feeding tube gets blocked and you can't clear it

• Fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your provider

• Stomach contents leak around the tube onto the belly

• Belly pain or swelling that gets worse

• Redness, pus, or bleeding at the insertion site

• Vomiting of tube feeds