NG Tube Feeding in Babies- Considerations While Doing It at Home

A nostalgic (NG) tube is a thin and long tube that is inserted in the nose. It passes through the throat and then reaches the stomach. The main purpose of NG tube is feeding the babies who are not able to take food through the mouth due to any health issue or in the case it is risky for them to take the food through the mouth. In that case, NG tube feeding is done to ensure proper nutrition intake for the babies.

However, the NG tubes can only be used to pass the liquid. And it depends on the physical condition and food requirements of a baby that whether the tube will be used for feeding the baby entirely or for giving her just a few extra calories.




Taking care of the tube

If your baby is on NG tube feeding, her nurse would teach you flushing the tube and performing proper skin care, especially around the nose. So, here are the steps you must follow:

Flushing the tube

You are recommended to flush the tube after every feeding.

• Wash your hands properly before giving a feed.
• When the feeding is finished, wash the tube by adding warm water with the help of a syringe.
• If the water does not pass through, try further by changing the positions or by using a plunger.
• Remove the syringe and close the cap of the tube. 

Taking care of the skin 

• Every time you feed the baby, clean her skin by using warm water and a washcloth. 
• Use mineral oil or any other lubricant to loosen the bandage when dressing. 
• In the case you notice irritation or redness in baby's nose, insert the tube into another nostril. If you don't know the procedure, you can call the nurse to do that. 

However, it is not only about the using the tube right way during NG tube feeding but you also need to pay attention that what is being given to the baby. If you are unaware of the right food choices, you can contact Nutrition4Kids (a trustworthy and expert guide for making nutritional food choice for babies) to know the healthiest feed options for your baby. To know more about them, you can visit http://www.nutrition4kids.com. 

TOP 5 FOOD ITEMS GLUTEN SENSITIVE KIDS SHOULD AVOID

If you have noticed that your child is not eating enough and has a very slow growth rate, then these could be symptoms of Celiac Disease. Other than these, you will also be able to notice skin rashes, constipation, anemia, fatigue, and bloating. Children affected by it cannot intake gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. The tissues inside the body get damaged as soon as the gluten enters it. The small intestine is affected the most, as it does not receive enough nutrients.

To be sure, you can always take the child for celiac disease blood test. The most common one is a tTG-IgA test. If the test reports suggest celiac disease then the physician will carry out a test for the small intestine. The only treatment that can effectively combat celiac disease is a gluten-free diet. Here are some food items to avoid and the alternatives that are available easily in the market.

FOODS TO AVOID AND THE ALTERNATIVE

• Barley, Wheat, Rye: These are not gluten-free. The only way to treat celiac disease is to avoid eating anything with gluten. Barley, wheat, and rye contain the protein called gluten. Therefore, you should not give your child anything made out of these three. Barley malt is also not gluten-free. If you find anything with the word ‘malt’ in the ingredient list then you need to avoid it. 
• Blue Cheese: The milk used to make the blue cheese sometimes contains bread mold. This, in turn, contains gluten. Therefore, you need to avoid feeding the child blue cheese. These days you can find gluten-free blue cheese in the market easily. 
• Pasta: If you find that the pasta is made from wheat, wheat starch, barley or rye then this is not for your child. However, the good news is that gluten-free pasta is easily available these days. It is made of corn flour, rice flour, and quinoa. It will be exactly the same in taste and your child will love it. 
• Cake Flour: It is strongly recommended to avoid cake flour in case your child have celiac disease. But that does not mean the child cannot have delicious desserts.  For gluten-free baking, you can use amaranth flour, millet flour, cornmeal, groundnuts, potato flour and rice flour. For the binding agents, you can go for arrowroot powder. To top it up, you can use raisins and cranberries. There is no way the child will not love it. 
• French Fries: Yes, you heard it right. The child should not be given French fries if he/she is gluten sensitive. This happens because of the fryer; you should not be using the same fryer for gluten-based products and for gluten-free products. If you visit a restaurant then make sure they are too not using common fryers for both. If you are buying packaged fries from the grocery store then you need to be sure that they are “gluten-free.” To be on the safe side, always use a separate fryer for gluten based and gluten-free frying. 

To know more about celiac disease symptoms, foods to avoid and celiac disease blood test visit Nutrition4kids. Here you will find everything you need to know about diseases and conditions in children of every age group. All the information provided has been gathered and written by medical experts.

Visit the website http://www.nutrition4kids.com/ for more details. 

Top 4 Tips To Make The Life Of A Child Going Through Gastrostomy Easy

The G in the G-Tube stands for Gastronomy, which is an opening in the stomach. It is a hollow tube that is inserted into the stomach through the gastrostomy opening. The kids going through gastronomy can intake nutrition supplements easily through it. The kids can easily meet the caloric requirement through stomach tube insertion. It is recommended that the patient never skip the meals and also intakes snacks along. The insertion procedure does not take longer than 30 minutes and requires a maximum of 5 days stay at the hospital. 

Here are some tips, which can help children going through gastrostomy lead a normal life. 

• Taking Care of the Tube: The tube is placed inside the stomach by stitching it around the skin. This helps keep it secure until the tract is well healed. Ask the doctor about the brand, length, size, and type of the tube. Knowing these factors will help you take better care of the tube. Before and after feeding and medications, you will have to flush the tube well. 
• Use 2-tablespoon water and unclog the tube. It is highly recommended not to use a wire to unclog the tube. Using a plastic brush tailor-made for the G-tube or water is recommended. To clean the ends of the PEG tube, use an alcohol pad and make sure the end of the tube does not touch anything. You need to crush the medications and mix it with water before letting it down the tube. 
• Taking Care of the Skin: When the child first gets the tube, do not remove the stitches that hold it to the skin. It is advised to clean the skin around the tube at least twice a day so that no redness or swelling appears. The skin around the tube should always be dry as infections may occur with moist skin. Also, apply an antibiotic cream around the tube when you are done cleaning. This way the child will be able to move freely and be comfortable. 
• The Child’s Psychological Perspective: You, as a parent, have to make sure that the child does not feel odd or feel something is wrong with him/her. Seeing a loved one depressed is the hardest situation to go through. Learn about the illness and take every step to understand the symptoms and treatment. This will help you understand what the child is feeling. The child might sometimes feel isolated even among children of his/her age. Give them companionship and spend quality time with them to understand them better. Try to validate their pain and show them they are accepted and loved.
• Side Effects: You, as a parent, should also be aware of the side effects of the stomach tube insertion before going through the procedure. Infection and bleeding occur at the spot of the tube insertion, which should be taken care of with regular care. The child may also go through skin irritation, anesthesia problem, aspiration, fever and chills, cough, constipation, nausea.  If the tube becomes clogged or the child faces any of these side effects then call your health practitioner immediately.

If you want to know more about gastrostomy tube insertion and the procedure visit Nutrition4kids. Here if you will find everything you need to know about diseases in children, healthy meals, and expert advice. They offer blogs and articles written by experienced medical and psychological professionals. 

Visit the website at http://www.nutrition4kids.com for more details.

Top 4 foods that might disturb your child's digestive system

Most people only appreciate their digestive health when it is gone. We are all different people with different digestive systems, microbiomes and food intolerances. But the type of food we eat has a direct impact on our digestive track. We feed either digestive problems or a healthy gut.

What you feed to your kids also has a big take on their digestive issues. If your child faces problems in digestion or has a considerable stomach ache most of the times, he/she might be facing with certain issues that might go unnoticed. At Nutrition 4 Kids, we bring you complete knowledge and assistance about your child's health. G-tube feeding nutrition is something that is directly linked to digestive issues. You can find complete information about it on our website.

In order to prevent digestive issues in your child, here are a few foods you should avoid in your child's diet.

1. Intake of gluten in the form of grains

Grains contain an abundance of amylose, sugars which are highly responsible for inflammation as well as anti-nutrients. These bind to the intestines and hinder the nutrient absorption in the body. It is highly recommended to remove all grains for a time and then slowly reintroduce them again to see the impact that they have on your digestive system.

2. Gut issues can be caused by dairy products

Cows might breed in an unhealthy environment and are often given hormones and antibiotics in dairy farms. The milk gained from them is then pasteurized and homogenized later. The fat that contains the beneficial fat-soluble vitamins is removed. If your child already suffers from digestive issues, dairy products should be removed for a while to let the digestivex system heal. Go for yogurt instead, which can be better tolerated and offers bacteria for microbiome.

3. Sugar can produce bad bacteria in your gut

The imbalance caused by bacteria can lead to negative effects on your child's metabolism as well as immune system. If the bacteria overgrow in number, they can cause aggravation and inflammation. When you feed your child with artificial sweeteners,  you are actually decreasing the good bacteria in their gut, which might lead to glucose intolerance.

4. Say no to foods that contain sorbitol

Avoid the foods that contain sorbitol. Candies, sodas, carbonated drinks, and gums are most likely to have a great quantity of sorbitol. Also, various nuts and seeds like sunflower and poppy are one of the main reasons behind soluble fiber and production of gas.

You can now get all your questions answered about the right nutrition for your kids as well as about G-tube Feeding Nutrition on our website by expert doctors and nurses.

Visit our website at www.nutrition4kids.com.

If you like this post, please also read my another post - Blood Test For Gluten Sensitivity

6 MAJOR SYMPTOMS THAT YOUR CHILD MAYBE GLUTEN INTOLERANT

Does your child often complain about feeling uneasy? You know that something is wrong, but the doctors are not able to figure it out? If this is the case, then you should consider your child getting tested for gluten sensitivity. Gluten can be found in wheat, oats, barley, rye and even processed foods. There is a high probability that your child may have been consuming a high amount of gluten and thus, develop gluten intolerance.  To know about Blood Test For Gluten Sensitivity and treatment, you can visit www.nutrition4kids.com.

In children, gluten sensitivity can be mild, average or even severe. If you have noticed the following symptoms in your child then it is time to consult a good practitioner and begin with the treatment.

1. Brain Fog

The child is likely to feel fatigued, moody and easily distracted. It is a result of all the processed and unhealthy food that we consume. The child may get easily tired and will face difficulty in focusing on studies or any other task.

2. Severe Headache

In adults, due to stress and everyday work, headache is common. But it is very unlikely that a child may complain of a severe headache every day. In case your child often grumbles about a headache, visit a good doctor to check for gluten sensitivity.

3. Joint Pain

Pain in the joints and feeling numb in the fingers, arms, and legs is a major sign of a health issue.  People with gluten sensitivity go through joint pains often.

4. Low Immunity

Children with gluten sensitivity get sick easily. The body defenses do not work effectively. The gluten intolerance majorly affects the small intestine. The child may experience bloating, diarrhea, skin irritation, and constipation.

5. Acne and Rashes

The child will feel itchy at the elbows, knees or the neck and back. This is also a sign of gluten sensitivity.

6. Dental Issues

A recent study found a strong connection between gluten sensitivity and mouth ulcers. The calcium levels drop significantly, which make the teeth and bones weak.

If you have noticed any of the above symptoms in your child, then visit your doctor for a gluten sensitivity test. The doctors carry out a blood test for gluten sensitivity - Tissue Transglutaminase Antibodies (tTG-IgA) test.

To know more about gluten intolerance or any other conditions in children visit http://www.nutrition4kids.com.

What, How, Why and When of Nasogastric Tube Insertion in Children Simplified

• Does your child often complain about a sore throat? 
• Does your child have trouble in swallowing food?
• Is your child not getting enough nutrition through the diet?

If the answer to any of the above questions is a “Yes” then you need to consult a doctor for Nasogastric Tube Insertion.

What is Nasogastric Tube Insertion? 

The Nasogastric Tube is a thin tube, which is inserted into the child’s nostril through the food pipe and then into the stomach. Once the tube is placed, the child can easily intake food and medicines. The tube is also used to remove certain harmful substances from the stomach.

How to Insert Nasogastric –NG Tube (Procedure)

The procedure is very simple and the patient does not face any pain. The doctor will instruct the child to lay down on the bed with the head elevated. They will tell the child to move the head and the body at some angles while they try to insert the tube smoothly. These little movements will make the tube insertion easier and it will be placed in the correct position.


To check for the correct placement of the tube or for any discomfort, the child will be asked to swallow something or take a few sips of water. The doctors also secure the tube with a tape on the face. To make the process easier, try distracting your child or use some relaxation techniques.

How to Care for a Nasogastric Tube at Home?

• Always check the position of the tube before you put anything inside it.
• Brush the child’s teeth at least twice daily so that no unwanted substances can go inside.
• Change the Nasal tape when it gets loose.
• Clean the tube with water before taking medication.
• Crush the pills well before passing them into the tube.

When to call the doctor for assistance?

• If the child feels choked or has difficulty in breathing.
• If you are unable to unclog the tube.
• If you cannot make out whether the end of the tube is inside the stomach.
• If the child has symptoms of Diarrhoea or has constipation, dry mouth or dark urine.

To know more about Nasogastric tube insertion or how to insert Nasogastric- NG tube then visit Nutrition4Kids. They provide expert advice from the medical advisory board on various diseases in children, eating habits, advice for new and soon going to be mothers and much more. Visit them at http://www.nutrition4kids.com.

In case you missed my previous post about - Stomach Tube Insertion then click here..!

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Does your child have salty sweat or skin? Or does the child is not gaining weight like the kids around? Is he /she has a cough and Diarrhoea every other day? Then you need to check with your Doctor for Cystic Fibrosis.

What is Cystic Fibrosis and what causes it?

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease, which affects more than 30,000 people in the US. It affects the cells in the body that make up the sweat, digestive fluids, and mucus. These are usually very thin and flowy but with Cystic Fibrosis, they become very thick and sticky and thus they block the tubes inside the body. The infected inherit a copy of the gene from their parents. If only one gene is inherited then there will be no symptoms but he/she will be a carrier of the disease. 

This disease affects the:

• Lungs
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Small and Large Intestine
• Bladder
• Kidneys
• Reproductive organs

You need to consult a doctor immediately if you detect the following Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms in your child:

Respiratory Symptoms

• Continuous cough with thick sputum
• Heavy breathing
• Lung Infection
• Easily tired after exercising
• Running and stuffy nose
• Wheezing

Digestive Symptoms

• No weight gain and growth
• Constipation
• Small and large intestine blockage
• Unpleasant smelling stool

The thick mucus blocks the passage in between the pancreas and small intestine. Therefore, without the digestive enzymes, the intestine cannot absorb all the nutrients from the food, which results in poor growth of the body. Parents should consult a specialist knowledgeable about Cystic Fibrosis.

Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis

Usually, doctors carry out a blood test to check for the disease and generic test checks whether the child has a defected CFTR gene. Other tests performed are

• Immunoreactive Trypsinogen (IRT) Test- This test checks for an abnormal level of IRT in the blood. The IRT should be low for no Cystic Fibrosis.
• Sweat Chloride Test- This checks for the level of salt in the sweat. A chemical is used which makes the skin sweat and then the sweat is collected on a paper for further analysis.
• Chest X-ray- This checks for swelling in the lungs.

You can get more details about various other diagnostic tests and medication and symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis and about many other diseases in children at Nutrition4kids. They offer expert guidance and advice about various disorders, eating habits, breastfeeding and much more. 

Visit the website http://www.nutrition4kids.com for more information.

In case you missed my previous post, read it here. Thanks!