Enteral feeding is a way to feed your child using a feeding tube. Enteral feedings will become easier for you to do with practice. Your nurse will go over all of the steps you should follow to deliver the feedings.
You will learn how to care for the tube and the skin, flush the tube, and set up the bolus or pump feedings.
Sometimes a feeding does not go as planned, and you may have a minor problem. Your nurse will go over all of the things that can happen and what you should do.
Follow your doctor or nurse’s instructions on how to solve problems if they come up. Below are some general guidelines.
If the tube is clogged or plugged:
If the child coughs or gags when you insert the nasogastric tube:
If your child has diarrhea and cramping:
If your child has an upset stomach or is vomiting:
If your child is constipated:
If your child is dried out (dehydrated), ask your doctor about changing formula or adding additional water.
If your child is losing weight, ask your doctor about changing formula or adding more feedings.
If your child’s skin has a nasograstric tube and the skin is irritated:
If your child’s Corpak feeding tube falls out, call your child’s nurse or doctor. Do not replace it yourself.
Call your doctor if you notice your child has:
If your child has trouble breathing, call 911.
Updated by: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children's Hospital; and George F Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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