Nasogastric tube home care for children and teens (1406)

For children and teens
(Checking placement, feedings and medicines)

What is a Nasogastric (NG) tube?

How is it put in?

• The NG tube is put in while your child is in the hospital or clinic. Go to this website to see a NG placement video: https://childrenswi.org/childlife.
• When the NG tube is put in, the nurse will measure the amount of tubing from your child’s nose to the end of the tube.
• You will need to measure your child’s tube before each feeding. The tubing should be the same length that the nurse measured.

Type of NG tube used:

Measurement of tubing from nose to end of tube:

How often does it need to be changed?

• The tube needs to be changed every 30 days. Make an appointment with the doctor or nurse who is taking care of the tube.
• If the tube comes out by accident before the 30 days is up, it needs to be replaced by your home health nurse or at your doctor’s office.

How will I know the NG tube is in the stomach?

• Measure the NG tube from the tip of the nose to the end of the tube. The tube should be within 5 centimeters of the nurse’s measurement (see above measurement).
• Some NG tubes move a little when they are in place. It is okay to use the NG tube if:
  • the difference between the measurements is less than 5 centimeters.
  • your child has not been choking or gagging.
• If you are concerned that the tube is not in the right place, call your doctor or nurse. During normal business hours, call your doctor’s office. After hours, call the Children’s Operator at 414-266-2000 and ask them to page the GI fellow on call.

How do I give my child feedings and medicine?

Always check that the NG tube is in the stomach before starting a feeding or giving medicine. Measure outer portion of NG tube (from tip of nose to end of tube). Compare this measurement with previous measurements.
Make sure the formula or medicine is at room temperature.

Supplies

• Measuring tape
• Formula
• Syringes (60 ml for feeding and smaller syringes for flush and medicines)

If needed:

• Feeding pump
• Medicine

If you use a syringe for feedings:

• If your child gets medicine with feedings, put it in the syringe before adding feeding.
• Connect the syringe to the end of the NG tube without the plunger.
• Fill the syringe with the amount of liquid needed.  Do not overfill.
• You may need to push gently with the plunger to start the flow. Take out the plunger and let the feeding go by gravity.

If you use a feeding pump for feedings:

• If your child gets medicine with feedings, give it with a syringe before connecting the feeding pump.
• Program the feeding pump to give your child’s feeds as directed by your doctor.
• Attach the tubing to your child’s NG tube and press start.

After feeding

• Clear the NG tube.
  • When all the formula is out, pour 5mL of tap water into the syringe. If using a feeding pump, use a syringe to push 5cc of tap water into the NG tube.
• Leave the NG tube in. Put the cap or clamp on the end. Hold and comfort your child after the feeding.

Are there any complications with the NG tube?

Your child may:

• Vomit or throw up.
• Have nasal congestion.
• Cough a lot.
• Choke.
• Make a gurgling sound when they breathe.
• Poop more than normal.
• Be very crabby.

If any of these happen, call your doctor.