Gastrostomy or Gastro-jejunum Tube: Syringe Feeding

Your child is going home with either a gastrostomy tube (G tube) or gastro-jejunum tube (G-J tube) in place. A G-tube is placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach. This tube sends liquid food directly into the stomach. A G-J tube is placed through the abdominal wall into the stomach and leads into part of the small intestine called the jejunum. It sends liquid food directly into the jejunum. You’ll need to feed your child through this tube. You were shown how to do this before your child was discharged from the hospital. This sheet will help you remember those steps at home. If you need more help, talk with the hospital about how to arrange a home health nurse to help you.

Keep in mind that there are many types of G and G-J tubes, syringes, and feeding pumps. Your child’s tube and supplies may look or work differently from what are described and shown here. Make sure to follow the instructions given by your child’s healthcare provider or home health nurse.

Contact information to keep handy

Ask for phone numbers to call if you need help. Also, make sure you have the phone number for your child’s medical supply company. You’ll need to order more supplies for your child in the future. Write all of these phone numbers below.

Healthcare provider phone number: _____________________________________

Home health nurse phone number: ______________________________________

Medical supply company phone number: __________________________________

Types of feeding

There are 2 types of feeding with G and G-J tubes. Your child may be have one or both types of feeding. They are:

• Continuous feeding. Liquid food is dripped slowly through the tube for part or all of a day. Continuous feeding can be done into either the stomach or the jejunum. This type of feeding is only done using a pump. The amount of food to be given and time frame are often set on the pump for you. Do not change pump settings unless you’re instructed to do so.

• Bolus feeding. This is a meal-sized amount of liquid food given through the tube several times a day. Bolus feeding is given using a syringe or a pump. Bolus feeding is done into the stomach but not into the jejunum. Your child’s healthcare provider or home health nurse will tell you how much liquid food to use for each feeding. You’ll also be told how often to feed your child.

For bolus feeding, fill in the numbers below:

Feed your child on this schedule: _____________________________________________

Give this much at each feeding: ______________________________________________

Feeding your child

The supplies you’ll need are:

• Liquid food

• Feeding syringe

• Extension tubing

Follow these steps:

• Wash your hands with soap and water.

• Check the label and expiration date of the liquid food. Don’t use any can or bag of food if the expiration date has passed. Instead, get a new can or bag of food.

• Open the feeding port cap on the G or G-J tube.

• Connect the extension tubing to the feeding port of the G or G-J tube.

• Make sure the clamp on the extension tubing is closed.

• Pull the plunger out of the feeding syringe.

• Connect the feeding syringe to the other end of the extension tubing.

• Pour the liquid food into the feeding syringe. Fill only to the amount that was prescribed by your child’s healthcare provider. 

• Open the clamp on the extension tubing.

• Hold the feeding syringe straight up. This allows the food to run through the G or G-J tube by gravity. Adjust the angle of the feeding syringe to control the flow rate of the food.

• If the food flows too slowly or doesn’t flow at all, place the plunger in the syringe. Gently push the plunger a bit. This can help remove anything that is blocking or clogging the tube. Do not push the plunger all the way into the syringe or with force.

• Refill the feeding syringe with food, if needed. Repeat steps until your child has received the prescribed amount of food.

• After the feeding, flush the extension tubing with water, as you were shown in the hospital.

• Disconnect the syringe from the extension tubing.

• Disconnect the extension tubing from the G or G-J tube.

• Close the feeding port cap on the G or G-J tube.

Additional instructions: ______________________________________________________

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