Dobhoff Tube Feedings at Home
Why do I need a feeding tube?
A nasogastric feeding tube (dobhoff tube) is used to give fluids, food, and medicine to people who cannot take them by mouth. The tube is placed through your nose into your stomach and is taped or stitched to your nose to stay in place. An x-ray is taken to check that it is in your stomach. It is often used for only a few weeks.
The feeding tube should be marked at the area where it enters your nose. This will tell you later if it has slipped out. If it comes loose and pulls out more than 2 inches, do not use it. You should call your local health care provider to have it checked.
What is my feeding schedule?
Formula name: _____________________________________
Total amount per day: _______________________________
Total amount of water per day: ________________________
Give ______cans every _____ hours or _____ times per day.
Flush tube with _______ mL tap water after each feeding.
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Delay feeding if you feel very full or nauseated or your feeding tube does not flush freely. Try again in one hour. If this continues, call your local health care provider.
Giving the formula with a feeding bag
1. Wash hands with soap and warm water for 30 seconds.
2. Position yourself as comfortably as possible. Sitting up is best. If you can’t sit up, lie on your right side with your head raised 30-45 degrees.
3. Fill the feeding bag with the formula. Open the clamp and let the tubing fill until you can see no air. Clamp the tubing. Air in the tubing will not hurt you but it can make your stomach feel full.
4. Connect the bag to the feeding tube. Hang the bag at least 2 feet above your head. Open clamp. You may want to open the clamp slowly to see how you tolerate the feeding.
5. When your feeding is done, fill the bag with the prescribed amount of water. If it isn’t time to take extra water, be sure to flush the tube after each feeding with at least 60 mL tap water so that it doesn’t clog.
6. Clamp or cap the tube.
7. Clean your supplies by rinsing the bag and tubing with cold water. Then swish with warm water and a drop of liquid dishwashing soap. Rinse thoroughly so that all soap is removed. Hang to dry.
Giving the formula with a syringe
You may give the feeding through a syringe instead of a feeding bag if it’s easier for you.
1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 30 seconds.
2. Position yourself as comfortably as possible. Sitting up is best. If you can’t sit up, lie on your right side with your head raised 30-45 degrees.
3. Remove the plunger from the syringe and connect the syringe to the feeding tube.
4. Hold the syringe upright and pour the formula into it. Keep filling the syringe as it empties until entire amount is given.
5. Give the prescribed amount of water to flush the tube.
6. Clean your supplies as above.
NOTE: If the plunger cannot be easily inserted into the syringe, lubricate with a few drops of vegetable oil. NEVER use Vaseline as it can enter your stomach and be irritating.
Giving medicines
Medicine can be given with a syringe through the feeding tube. It is best to use medicine in liquid form. If you must take pills, be sure to thoroughly crush and dissolve pills in warm water so they do not clog the tube. NEVER crush enteric-coated or time-release capsules.
Flush your feeding tube with 60 mL water before and after medicine is given to be sure it gets into your stomach.
Care of the feeding tube
If your nose is sore, move the tape to a different place on your nose. You may also need to change the tape if it is coming loose. This is a good time to clean the skin under the tape. Be careful not to let the tube slip out.
1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. You can use soap and water to clean the skin under the tape. Hold the tube carefully in one hand while you clean with the other. Dry the skin before taping again.
3. Look inside the nostril where the tube is and check for any redness, pain, or sores. You may put a very small amount of lotion or Vaseline in your nostril to prevent irritation.
4. If you have increased pain, notice draining sores in your nose, or the tube has come out more than 2 inches, tape the tube down but do not take any feedings. Contact your doctor.
What to watch for
1. Blocked tube
If the tube won’t flush, try using warm water. If it still will not flush, call your nurse or doctor. Always be sure to flush the tube with at least 60 mL water after giving medicine or feedings.
2. Vomiting
- Call doctor if vomiting persists. Vomiting causes the loss of body fluids, salts and nutrients.
- Give the feeding in an upright position.
- Try smaller, more frequent feedings. Be sure the total amount for the day is the same as ordered.
- Infection may cause vomiting. Clean and rinse equipment well between feedings.
- Do not let formula in the feeding bag hang longer than 6 hours unrefrigerated. After the formula can is opened, it should be stored in refrigerator until used.
3. Diarrhea
- This is frequent loose, watery stools.
- Can be caused by: giving too much feeding at once or running it too quickly, decreased fiber in diet, impacted stool or infection. Some medicines cause diarrhea.
- Avoid hanging formula for longer than 6 hours.
- Give more water after each feeding to replace water lost in diarrhea.
- Call doctor if diarrhea does not stop after 2-3 days.
4. Dehydration
- Due to diarrhea, vomiting, fever, sweating. (Loss of water and fluids)
- Signs include: decreased or concentrated (dark) urine, crying with no tears, dry skin, fatigue, irritability, dizziness, dry mouth, weight loss, or headache.
- Give more water after each feeding to replace the water lost.
- Call your doctor.
5. Constipation
- May be caused by too little fiber in diet, not enough water, or side effects of some medicines.
- Take extra fruit juice or water between feedings.
- If constipation becomes chronic, call the doctor.
6. Gas, bloating or cramping
- Be sure there is no air in the tubing before attaching the feeding tube.
7. Tube is out of place
- If the tube is no longer in your stomach, tape it down and call your doctor or home health nurse. Do not use the tube. You will need to have a new tube placed.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #7071.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 03/06/2013
Copyright © 03/06/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5969
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