Baby Feeding Tube Problems

Sucking and swallowing problems due to prematurity or brain problems.

Baby feeding tube problems.

A feeding tube is used for infants who do not have the strength or muscle coordination to breastfeed or drink from a bottle. The following are reasons why a baby might require tube feeding. Tube feeding of premature babies. If the feeding problems are addressed as soon as your baby starts to show symptoms of feeding problems such as losing weight and refusing to eat the prognosis is generally favorable and is typically resolved with no long term health conditions or effect.

Another way called bolus feeding uses a pump or syringe to push the formula several times a day similar to mealtimes. There are other reasons why an infant might need a feeding tube including. This is one of the biggest problems with feeding tubes. Others start out feeding orally but are unable to maintain adequate growth due to an underlying physical cause or unresolved feeding problem.

Testing for feeding and swallowing disorders. An slp who knows about feeding and swallowing can look at how your child eats and drinks. Talk to your child s doctor if you think he has a feeding or swallowing problem. Some babies require tube feeding from birth.

Reasons to tube feed. Always flush your tube with the suggested amount of water before and after you use it including when you use it to take meds. Your doctor can test your child for medical problems and check his growth and weight. Usually your feeding tube won t need to be replaced for several months.

A nasogastric tube goes in through the nose delivering the feed down to the baby s tummy stomach.