Tube feeding for children with cerebral palsy
Tube feeding is a method of giving your child food and fluids directly into the stomach or further down into the gut via a tube, if they are having difficulties eating or drinking because of cerebral palsy.
Reasons for tube feeding
Your medical team might suggest tube feeding if your child is:
- unable to take in enough food and drink to grow and stay healthy
- at risk of food or drink going into the airway, also known as aspiration
- experiencing severe reflux
Types of feeding tubes
Nasogastric tube feeding (NGT)
NGT feeding involves inserting a flexible, spaghetti-like tube through your child’s nose. It might be slightly uncomfortable to fit but it's not painful. Once the tube is in place, your child can continue to play as normal.
Talk to your medical team about how long your child will need the NGT. Usually this is for a short time. They can cause irritation around your child’s face, nose and throat if used for longer. If a child needs a feeding tube for longer, you might want to consider a gastrostomy tube (PEG).
Gastrostomy tube (PEG) feeding
A PEG tube goes through the wall of the child’s abdomen into the stomach. Most children can start using the tube on the same day. Many families prefer this to a nasogastric tube. The PEG can be under clothes and is unlikely to become dislodged.
Jejunostomy
Some children need tube feeding because they have severe reflux. In certain cases, the tube passes through the stomach into the jejunum. Because this bypasses the stomach, the feed must be continuous. This means your child will have a constant drip of milk going into their jejunum.
Warning What goes down the tube
Most children have a special feed for tube feeding. These make sure your child gets the calories and nutrients they need to grow and be healthy. Your doctor or dietician will advise you on what type of milk and how much to give.
Some families choose to put blended food down their child’s tube. It's important you discuss this with your dietician or community nursing team first. This is to avoid damaging the tube or causing infection.
Benefits of tube feeding
Many parents feel upset at the thought of their child not being able to eat ‘normally’. They also worry about how it will affect the child in school or in the wider family.
Choosing tube feeding is a big decision but the benefits for you and your child include:
- getting enough food to grow well and stay healthy
- reducing the risk of aspiration or choking
- relieving the pressure of prolonged or missed meals
- more time for parents and children to play
- family mealtimes can be more pleasant
Some children can have a small amount of food or drink by mouth with a ‘top-up’ of milk via their tube. For a few children it may not be safe for them to have anything to eat or drink by mouth.
Ask your doctor, dietician or speech and language therapist for advice.
Share your experiences with other parents in our online community.
Download a PDF of Fun In The Sun, a children's storybook showing that tube feeding does not stop children having fun.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 12/02/2024
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