Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Introduction
Babies and children who have swallowing difficulties or are unable to meet their nutritional requirements short or long term but have a functioning gut, are increasingly being enterally fed with the use of an enteral tube.
Enteral tube feeding as a means of nutritional support has extended from the hospital to the community where it is a rapidly growing area of home care therapy.
If your child is being discharged home with a feeding tube, then you should have the following before you leave the ward:
- Signed competencies for at least 2 adults in the household
- A tube feeding discharge pack including re-usable syringes for home
- Contact details for your community nursing team
- Enough feed to last you at least 7 days
- Contact information for your managing dietitian
Preparation for home
Ward staff will train parents and carers on the following.
- Care of the feeding tube
- How to check if the tube is in the right place (if appropriate)
- How to use the feeding equipment
- How to position your baby/ child for feeding
If you are unsure about any of these, please ask for further advice from the ward.
The Dietitian will:
- Provide you with a feeding plan
- Set up home deliveries for feed and equipment to be delivered (see section Nutricia Homeward Service/ Abbott H2H)
- Arrange for follow up after you have gone home. Please be aware this may not be with the FPH dietitians and will depend on where you live.
The Children Community Nursing Team will:
- Provide support in the community with changing NG tube (not NJ tubes)
- Change home delivery orders
Syringes
In hospital we use single– use syringes which need to be thrown away after they have been used once.
At home you will be given re-usable syringes which can be cleaned and used again just like a baby bottle.
In your discharge pack there will be a supply of re-usable syringes and cleaning instructions.
You may need different size syringes for feeding, checking the pH (if required) and medication.
The dietitian will discuss with you how many syringes you will be given for the month.
Syringes should be washed in hot soapy water, rinsed and allowed to air dry. They can be sterilised. Be aware the markings may come off with repeated washing
Do not place in the dishwasher.
Feed
If your child is having expressed breast milk or standard infant formula via their feeding tube, then you need to continue to supply yourself. If they are on a specialist infant formula or a high energy milk, then you will be given a 7-day supply to take home and then this milk will be obtained on prescription from your GP or delivered by the home delivery company.
Water for NG tubes
- Water for flushing and boluses should be freshly drawn from the tap at home
- Sterile water is not required
- Bottled water is not recommended
- Some parents may wish to use cooled, boiled water
- Boiled, cooled water should be used for infants under a year and for immunocompromised patients
Water for NJ tubes
- Cooled, boiled water should be used for flushing and boluses
- Sterile water may be recommended for immunocompromised patients but you should check this with your dietitian
Nutricia Homeward service
Unless we are expecting for the feeding tube to only last 2-3 weeks you will be registered for a home delivery service, who will organise for your syringes and supplies (including prescribed feeds) to be delivered to your home on a monthly basis.
Please note that to create this account we will be sharing your data/ information with the company. If you have any concerns regarding this then please speak with the Dietitian or CCN
If you live in Berkshire, the home delivery service is called Abbott Hospital 2 Home 0800 018 3799
If you live in Surrey or Hampshire (and are looked after by the FPH dietitians) the home delivery service is called Nutricia Homeward
Contact Information
Frimley Park Dietitians office: 0300 6134053
Email: fhft.
Available to support with: feed tolerance and issues with growth 08.30-16.30 Mon-Fri
For families living in Surrey and Hants and looked after by FPH dietitians;
Community Nursing Team (CCNs): 01483362625
Available to support with: NG tube replacement, weight checks, medications
Paediatric Assessment Unit (SDEC) 0300 613 3493
F1 (Childrens Ward) FPH 0300 613 4252
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Dietetics service.
About this information
Service:
Dietetics
Reference:
DT/097
Approval date:
22 May 2026
Review date:
1 May 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.