As you get used to being home with your
feeding tube, this online guide will help you and your
family understand how to manage your tube feeding.
What is
tube feeding? »
Making your home tube feeding a
comfortable experience
For most people, tube feeding is a change that needs a
certain amount of time and persistence to get used to at
home. There are ways to help make this adjustment easier,
such as:
- Talk to your friends and family about your tube feeding.
- Ask your healthcare professional to help you arrange
your feeding schedule so you receive your tube feeding
formula during family meal times.
- If you want to take your tube feedings in private or at
other times, be sure to keep taking part in other family
and social activities.
Talk to your healthcare professional about any questions you
have about living with your feeding tube at home (like
bathing, exercise, or travel).
You can answer this question in many different
ways.
You may say something simple like:
- "I am not able to eat, so this is the
way I feed myself."
Or if you are having medical treatments or problems
swallowing or digesting food you might say:
- "I am having trouble swallowing and
need to get my food this way."
- "I am having medical treatments which
make it hard to eat. I use this feeding tube
to get the nutrition I need."
- "My stomach/gut is not working
properly, so I need this tube to feed
myself."
- "My body has a hard time digesting
foods. I use this feeding tube and special
liquid food to get the nutrition I
need."