How To Care for a NG or NJ Bridle

How To Care for a NG or NJ Bridle

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What Is a NG or NJ Bridle?bridle

A bridle keeps a nasogastric tube (NG) or nasojejunal tube (NJ) from slipping or coming out.

The number at your child’s nose is ________cm.

How Will It Be Put In?

A trained medical provider will place the bridle. This is done in the hospital or at a clinic visit. Steps to place a bridle:

  • There are two magnetic probes. One probe goes in each nostril.
  • The magnetic ends are connected behind a bone in the back of the nose.
  • A thin stretchy tube is pulled through the nose and left in place in the shape of a horseshoe.
  • The magnetic probes are then removed.
  • The NG tube is placed in the bridle outside of the nose.
  • It is secured with a bridle clip and knots are tied.

How Do I Care for a Bridle?

  • Check your child’s skin every day for redness, sores, or pain.
  • Clean the parts of the bridle you can see with mild soap and water daily.
  • Clear mucus from the nose with bulb suction if needed.
  • Put Aquaphor or Vaseline on the skin around the bridle at least 2 times a day.
  • Tape or secure the NG or NJ tube to your child’s clothes to keep it from pulling.
  • You do not need to use tape on the face when there is a bridle.

How Often Does It Need To Be Changed?

The bridle needs to be changed every time the NG or NJ is changed or if the bridle becomes loose. NG tubes are changed every 30 days. NJ tubes are changed every 90 days. The clinic will call you to make a visit for the tube change. Only a trained medical provider should remove a bridle.

Some Common Things You Can Expect When Your Child Has a Bridle:

  • Having nasal congestion.
  • Breathing noises may be more noticeable.
  • Being crabby after having the bridle replaced.

ALERT

Call the Enteral Feeding Program at 414-337-8379 if you have any questions or concerns:

  • Your child’s NG tube comes out.
  • There is redness or sores around the nose.
  • A bloody nose.
  • A hard time breathing.