NGT Feeding at Home

If your baby is receiving feeds through a nasogastric tube then it may be possible for you to take them home with the tube in place so they can establish full breast or bottle feeds at home. This has a lot of advantages such as:

• Allowing your baby to be discharged earlier
• Reducing potential exposure to hospital acquired infection
• Allows you the privacy and comfort of establishing full breast or bottle feeds at home.

To make sure this is done safely your baby will only be considered for home tube feeding if they meet the following criteria:

• Your baby is taking 50% of its feed by breast or bottle with good sucking coordination
• You have completed the NGT competency whilst in SCBU/TCU
• You are confident and comfortable to take your baby home tube feeding
• Your baby is medically fit
• Your baby’s weight is stable
• Your baby can maintain their temperature in an open cot
• Your baby is feeding at least three hourly
• A risk assessment has been completed by the staff

What will tube feeding involve?

You will be trained and have a competency pack to complete during your stay in NNU/SCBU/TCU too ensure you are confident in giving a tube feed before your baby is discharged home.

You will be fully supported by the Neonatal Community Liaison team, who will keep in contact with you via telephone, Attend Anywhere Clinics (Virtual Clinic), Out Patient Neonatal Clinic and a Home Visit.

Equipment required for NGT Feeding at home will be provided by the Neonatal Community Liaison Team.

Your baby will have a feeding plan in place and as your baby’s suck feeding improves then the amount of feed given through the tube will become less till eventually all feeds are by mouth. At this point the tube will be removed.

The community team will provide guidance throughout this process, monitoring your baby’s weight to ensure that they are growing well.

You will be able to bath your baby as normal, although you may need to change the tape that secures the tube if it becomes loose or damp.

Are there any risks with home tube feeding?

NGT feeding is safe when the guidance is followed however as with most medical procedures there are some minor risks.

1. Displacement: The tube could accidentally be pulled out a little bit, it could move if the baby vomits or wretches therefore it is essential that you check the position of the tube before EVERY feed. You will be trained to do this. The tube can be removed without causing ill effect if it is not in the correct position.
2. Failure to get an aspirate: If you cannot get an aspirate then there are a couple of things you could do

• Wait a few minutes and try again
• Turn your baby on his/her side and try again
• Offer you baby the breast or bottle for a few sucks and then try again

If you still cannot get an aspirate do not feed your baby and please contact the Neonatal Unit 01698 366820 who will advise you further.

What if the tube falls out?

If the tube comes out accidently or you need to remove it, please contact the Neonatal Unit on the above number for further advice. All babies at home are able to take some milk orally so it should not be necessary to bring your baby to hospital immediately or during the night.

Precautions

Your baby should never be left alone with the syringe attached to the tube.

If you are called away or another emergency happens then stop the feed, detach the syringe, close the end of the tube before leaving the baby.

Please do not allow anyone who has not been trained by the neonatal team to tube feed your baby.

If you have any concerns or need advice you will be able to speak to someone at any time of the day or night using the following numbers:

Neonatal Community Liaison – 01698 36820/7820 or 01698 367279 can be contacted Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm.

Special Care Baby Unit/Transitional Care Unit – 01698 366243 or Neonatal Unit 01698 36820/7820 can be contacted out of hours or at the weekend.

Breast Feeding Support – 01698 366710 can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or 01698 361100 ask for bleep 139 can be contacted out of hours or at the weekend.

Useful websites:

Child Car Seats

Ready Steady Baby

NHS UK – Child Car Seats

Healthy Children – Car Safety Seats

Neonatal Community Liaison Team,
Neonatal unit,
University Hospital Wishaw,
50 Netherton Street,
Wishaw,
ML2 0DP

If you need this information in another language or format, please e-mail:

Translation.Services@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk