Tube Talk
Continuous Feeding an Infant or Toddler Overnight
Many parents struggle with overnight feedings because they fear their child will strangle him- or herself. We always keep the IV pole a few inches from the foot of the crib. If the child tangles, the line should pull the pole into the crib making a noise we (the parents) will hear.
With an NG (nasogastric) tube, most parents will tape the feeding set tubing down the child’s back and leg. With a G- or GJ-tube (gastrostomy or gastrostomy-jejunostomy), parents usually secure the extension set either with tape on the tummy or by creating a tape tab that can be pinned to the child’s pajamas. The extension set is run down the leg of the pajamas.
Those with more active children have used a section of hollowed out pool noodle or an empty paper towel roll to corral the excess tubing and prevent tangling.
Editors note: If your concerns are too overwhelming, consider discussing with your clinician whether you can tube feed during the day.
—Traci Nagy, supertubiemomma@gmail.com
LifelineLetter, July/Aug 2011
There has been a lot of
discussion about G-tube protectors. The company Benik was making them for a
hospital in Virginia, and the mom of one of their patients
posted something about them online. Now,
because of the influx of calls from other parents, Benik will be distributing
them more widely.
—Traci Nagy, supertubiemomma@gmail.com
Editor’s note: The tube protectors are available in a range of colors and sizes (pediatric and adult) and Benik says they can be used with G-, J-, GJ- and PEG tubes. Made of neoprene, they go around your waist and have an access hole that you’d position over your low-profile access device (“button”). A neoprene flap covers the hole when you want to protect your access device and can be removed entirely when you want to access your tube. Learn more at www.benik.com/peds/wrap/g-tube or by calling Benik at (800) 442-8910.
LifelineLetter, July/Aug 2011