Coming home with a new feeding tube can be overwhelming. Make sure you know the basics of caring for your tube and the skin around it.
- Always wash your hands before handling your tube and feeding supplies.
- Keep the skin around the g-tube site clean and dry. If using gauze around the site and it becomes wet, change frequently to prevent the skin from breaking down.
- Clean the site daily with warm water and a clean wash cloth. Use mild soap if needed. Avoid using rubbing alcohol, which can be drying and irritating to the skin.
- If your tube has an external bolster, use a moist cotton swab to clean underneath it. Dry the skin thoroughly.
- Gently turn and rotate the external bolster 1/4 turn. Check the space between the bolster and the skin when both sitting and lying down. There should be roughly enough space to fit a dime.
- Weight changes can change the way your tube fits. Likewise, when a child goes through a “growth spurt”, it might be time to get a larger size tube.
- Check the site daily for redness, leaking or discomfort. Notify your doctor or nurse if any of these occur.
- If your tube has a balloon, check the amount of water in the balloon at least weekly. Draw the water out with a 5-10mL syringe and note how much comes out. If it is less than the amount specified by the tube’s manufacturer, there may be a leak. Use water to re-fill the balloon.
- Secure long gastrostomy tubes to clothing or skin with paper tape to prevent the tube from being pulled. Avoid white adhesive tape, which will leave a sticky residue on the skin and may cause irritation.
- Use safe tube feeding practice to prevent contamination and improve formula tolerance. See: Important Tips for Home Tube Feeding
My son just got a G-tube and I was told to clean for the first time the feeding tube with water which I did but still water in the feeding tube. What should I do now?