Infants need nutrition to grow and develop, and this nutrition is typically provided by the mother’s breast milk or a specially designed formula. When a newborn has problems with feeding, doctors can recommend a gastronomy button/tube (G-button/tube). These devices allow nutrition to be supplied directly to the child’s stomach, which helps facilitate proper growth and development.
G-tubes may be necessary after a premature birth, as some newborns experience problems sucking and swallowing. In this case, doctors must find another method of delivering nutrition as the baby grows and continues to develop.
Some children are born with disorders that affect the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, and intestines. If these disorders prevent the normal intake of food, doctors will use a G-tube or button instead. In rare cases, doctors place the device to administer medicine when a child is incapable of taking it via the mouth.
Feeding devices are designed to be user-friendly, but problems can still arise. In general, parents should watch out for the following:
Any pus or bleeding from the insertion site must be evaluated by a doctor immediately. In the same respect, fever, vomiting, and pain at the insertion site may signal an infection, and should be assessed by medical personnel as a result.
Your baby’s doctor will provide detailed instructions on the care and cleaning of the feeding device. Parents must also keep the following tips in mind:
If you have questions or concerns about the device, do not hesitate to speak with your child’s doctor.