Nasojejunal Tube Feeding with Enteral Pump
Explanation | Supplies | Procedure | Tips | When to call the Dr.
Why does my child need nasojejunal tube feedings with an enteral pump?
Your child cannot eat by mouth or hold food in the stomach, so you will be giving your child's feedings through a tube that is placed just past the stomach into the small bowel (jejunum).
Supplies
Enteral Feeding Pump
- Tube feeding Administration Set
- IV Pole
- Farrell Valve
- 3-5 ml syringe and water
Preparing to Feed Your Child
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- The permanent mark on the tube should always be at your child's nose. Before each feeding, check to make sure the mark is in the proper place. If the mark has moved, the placement of the tube will need to be checked by an xray. Call your doctor or nurse to make arrangements for this to be done.
- Set up the enteral administration set according to the directions on the side of the pump or in the instruction manual.
- Attach the tube feeding administration set to the Farrell valve.
- Add formula to the feeding bag and prime the tubing.
- Only 8 hrs of formula or 4hrs or breast milk may be placed in the bag at any given time.
- Set the desired rate of infusion on the pump and desired amount to be given. (Example: Rate = 50 mls, Dose= 400 mls, volume to be infused).
- Flush NJ with ordered amount of water to check that the tube is open.
- Attach the tubing from the Farrell valve into the nasojejunal tube.
- Securely tape all connections.
- Begin the feeding by turning on the pump.
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Things to do if the Formula Backs up
- Keep the "Y" of the Administration set / Farrell valve connection at the stomach level
- If the formula continues to back up, try irrigating the feeding tube with water
Tips
- Never add new formula to formula already in the feeding bag.
- Change the entire set-up every 24 hours.
- Irrigate the feeding tube with 1-5 mls of water before and after each feeding and before and after giving medications to prevent the feeding tube from clogging.
- It is important to allow your infant or child to have pleasant sensations during feedings: hold during feedings, suck on a pacifier, sit in a high chair, be apart of family meals.
- Ask your doctor or nurse about therapy to help improve oral skills.
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Call Your Child's Doctor if:
- Your child has discomfort
- Your child vomits or has diarrhea
- Your child has stomach distention (swelling)
- The feeding does not go in
- The tube has moved or comes out
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Rev. 9/06
