Ready, Set…Nutrition! Getting Started with an Enteral Feeding Tube

If you or someone you love is getting a feeding tube, many feelings and questions may come up. Learning what to expect with an enteral feeding tube can help ease anxiety. Below are a few pointers as you set out on your enteral feeding tube journey:

What is Enteral Feeding?

Enteral feeding is the process of providing nutrition directly to the stomach or small intestine via a feeding tube. This method is used when a person is unable to consume food orally but still has a functional digestive system. It ensures that the body receives the necessary nutrients—such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals—for growth, maintenance, and repair of tissues.

Enteral feeding is a form of enteral nutrition, and the two terms are often used interchangeably, though “enteral feeding” specifically refers to the act of delivering food or liquid nutrients, while “enteral nutrition” encompasses both the process and the overall provision of nutrients.

There are Feeding Tube Options

Enteral feeding tubes come in different sizes and designs. Each type of tube has a different purpose.

Some tubes can be placed without needing surgery. These are often used for a short while. These tubes are placed through the nose and feed into either the stomach or the intestines. At first, there may be some swelling or irritation in the nose and throat. Contact your healthcare team if you have irritation in both nostrils that does not go away, bloating, or vomiting.

Other tubes require surgery to be placed. These may be used for a few months or throughout your entire life. These tubes are put in through the skin on the abdomen. The opening in the skin can be called a stoma, a site, or a tract. Like any surgery, you will have some pain or discomfort. You may need to rest and limit your activity until the surgical site heals. Once the tissue around the tube heals, there should be no pain. Reasons to call your doctor include pain and irritation that does not go away, bleeding, leakage, and if your tube falls out.

Tubes that do not require surgery

• A nasogastric (NG) tube enters through the nose (“nasogastric” means nose to stomach). It does not require surgery, but often does require a healthcare provider to place the NG tube. They may also teach you how to put in your own tube. The tube goes into the nose, down the food pipe (esophagus) and into your stomach.
• A nasoduodenal (ND) tube enters through the nose (“nasoduodenal” means nose to duodenum which is part of the intestines). It does not require surgery but does require a healthcare provider to place the ND tube. The tube goes into the nose, down the food pipe (esophagus), through the stomach and into the first part of the intestines.
• A nasajejunal (NJ) tube enters through the nose (“nasojejunal” means nose to jejunum which is part of the intestines). It does not require surgery but does require a healthcare provider to place the NJ tube. The tube goes into the nose, down the food pipe (esophagus), through the stomach and into the second part of the intestines.

Tubes that require surgery

• A gastrostomy tube (G Tube) is a tube that goes through the skin and muscle of the abdomen into the stomach.
• A gastro-jejunal tube (GJ Tube) is a tube that goes through the skin and muscle of the abdomen into the stomach and then into the small intestine (jejunum).
• A jejunal tube (J Tube) is a tube that goes through the skin and muscle of the abdomen into the small intestine (jejunum).

For more information about enteral feeding tubes or tube procedures, please visit our website, tubefed.com, and select “Products” or “What to Expect” in the navigation bar.

Adjusting to a New Lifestyle

Change is hard, especially in the beginning. This can cause mixed emotions. Please do not give up. We are here to support you and cheer you on. Below are some ways to ease the burden of this transition.

Changing routines

Enteral tube feeding will change your day-to-day schedule for many reasons. Here are some tips:

• Take some time to plan when and how you will feed to reduce stress
• Use the weekend to plan ahead for activities you have during the week
• Show yourself some grace. Getting used to a new routine requires time and patience.
• Create an emergency kit with your supplies. Keep it with you at all times just in case you forget something you need.

Feeding schedule

Your healthcare team and dietitians will work with you on a feeding schedule. There are many thoughts that go into a feeding schedule including:

• Level of nutrients in your body
• If weight gain is needed
• If you were ill and how long you were ill

When starting to feed at home, it is important to follow this schedule. That might mean canceling or rescheduling events and waking up or going to sleep at a time you are not used to. It can take some time to get into a new routine.

Part of sticking with your schedule is also making sure you have the supplies you need wherever you go. It may take a few tries to figure out how much extra time you need to gather your supplies before you set out for work, visits, or vacation. Over time it will get easier getting into a routine and will not take as much time.

Keep On Course

While parts of your life will change when you start tube feeding, that doesn’t mean all of it will change. People adapt to all sorts of medical devices and procedures every day. We believe you are resilient. After adjusting to new sensations and schedules, people with feeding tubes work, play sports, travel, and much more.

Always put your health first and talk with your healthcare team about what activities you can do, and when you should start. Making life feel as normal as possible is key to good health and a positive attitude.

Tap Into a World of Tubie Tips

While you can always ask questions from your healthcare team, people tell us again and again how much it helps to get advice, recommendations, and information from others on a similar path. You are not alone on your tube feeding journey. Use the internet and social media to connect with people and resources all over the world. Virtual support groups are full of people who use enteral tube feeding for nutrition. They may have advice about living with a tube or share helpful information. Blogs and websites may be a source of knowledge and comfort too. Your local community may also be able to provide recommendations and connections in support or interest groups.  Talk to your healthcare team before following any health advice or making any changes in your enteral tube feeding.

Blogs and websites for resources on enteral tube feeding:

• Check out the rest of Tubefed.com
• Connect with us on Facebook
• Oley Foundation
• The Feeding Tube Foundation