G Tube Premature Baby

What is a g tube.

G tube premature baby.

Some kids have medical problems that make it hard for them to get enough nutrition by mouth. A nasogastric tube goes in through the nose delivering the feed down to the baby s tummy stomach. An oro gastric tube goes in to the tummy through the baby s mouth. The feed may consist of expressed breast milk.

A feeding tube is a small soft plastic tube placed through the nose ng or mouth og into the stomach. There are many reasons why a premature baby might need a g tube. Sick or premature babies may not be able to suck or swallow well enough to bottle or breastfeed. A gastrostomy tube also called a g tube is a tube inserted through the belly that brings nutrition directly to the stomach it s one of the ways doctors can make sure kids who have trouble eating get the fluid and calories they need.

Most preemies have trouble eating at first but gain strength and coordination as they grow. By the time they leave the nicu they are breastfeeding or bottle feeding well. The nurse or doctor checking the residual amount will attach a syringe to the end of the feeding tube and gently pull back on the plunger. Other preemies have complex medical problems that make it hard for them to eat well.

There are other reasons why an infant might need a feeding tube including. Tube feeding of premature babies. If premature babies are unable to feed from the breast or bottle they are fed via a tube. A feeding tube is used for infants who do not have the strength or muscle coordination to breastfeed or drink from a bottle.