How can tube feeding help?
Tube feeding help the body get the nutrition it needs. Good nutrition is essential to maintain weight, and in some cases to improve recovery, response to treatments, and maintain independence. A tube feed is a liquid form of nourishment that’s delivered straight to the stomach. The nutrients within the tube (formula) are similar to what you would get from normal food, and are also digested in the same way. Tube feeds contain all the nutrients you need on a daily basis, including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water.

What should I know before going home with feed feeding?
Before you go home, you will need to receive training and know the basics of how to administer tube feeding, how you can order the tube feed and accessories, and where to get support in case of emergency.

What’s the best position during tube feeding?
The ideal position for tube feeding is sitting up. However, if this isn’t possible, prop the patient up at an angle of 45 degrees or greater and remain in that position during the tube feeding and for up to 30 – 60 minutes after tube feeding – it is not safe to tube feed while lying flat.

Can patient eat normal foods while being tube fed?
Your healthcare team will let you know if patient is able to eat while tube feeding. If patient is able to eat, you will be given information about the types of food and amounts that are safe. If patient is being tube fed because of swallowing difficulty, a speech and language therapist in hospital advise what types of food are safest for him/her.

How long can patient survive being tube fed?
Tube feeding can be used as a sole source of nutrition for as long as it’s required. It provides a balanced, healthy diet, and contains all the nutrients a person need day after day?

How do I know how much and how often to feed?
The hospital dietitian will work closely with the patient’s medical team to decide on the amount of nutrients or calories the patient need daily. Using the daily calories target, the nutritionist will work backwards to come up with the mixing formula (i.e. number of scoops of formula to mix with a certain ml of water) and routine (e.g. 3 hourly equals 8 feeds every 24 hours). You can discuss with the dietitian to adjust the routine best suited for the patient and caregiver. For example, if patient is unable to tolerate 200ml of feed at one sitting, dietitian can reduce the volume but increase the intervals (e.g. from 4 hourly to 3 hourly). Or if caregiver like to suspend feeds in the night for a good sleep, the dietitian may be able to adjust the formula to increase the concentration.

What feed should I give?
There are many nutritionally complete formula in the market these days and the dietitian will recommend one best suited for the patient’s diagnosis and needs. For example, oncology patients cannot take feed with probiotics added. Dietitian may from time to time switch formula depending on the patient’s condition. For example if patient is showing signs of gastrointestinal disorders, like diarrhea and vomiting, dietitian may suggest switching to a enzymatically hydrolyzed protein (partially digested protein) for easier adsorption.

Can I put my own food down the tube?
It is not recommended to put anything else other than the prescribed feed, water and medications through the tube. This can lead to tube blockages, tube replacement, and can potentially cause infections due to contamination.

Answers mainly sourced from http://www.tube-feeding.com/FAQ/

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