Practical SLP Info©
  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer

Feeding Tube Methods


Feeding Tube Food

When you first start the tube feeding process, a specific canned formula will be prescribed to you by your doctor or registered dietitian. These formulas are designed to best meet your individual nutritional needs. It is important to feed the amount prescribed (number of cans per day) as well as the additional water that may be indicated.

In this practice, we are also very strong advocates of using regular food, -anything you’d typically eat that is nutritious. Nearly any food can be processed in a blender using fluid (milk, chicken broth, canned formula). This should be blended until smooth and thin enough to be passed through the tube. In this way, it’s possible for the patient to “eat” the same meal their family is eating. We strongly encourage this!

Feeding Tube Pumps

A feeding tube pump is a machine, similar in nature to an IV pump, whereby the formula is delivered to the stomach at a set amount over the course of several hours. A pump may be used during the initiation of the tube feeding process, allowing for a gradual adjustment to this new way of “eating.” In some cases, prolonged use of a pump is used when larger volumes of food cannot be delivered to the stomach.

Bolus Feeding

Most patient’s typically transition from the pump method to bolus feeding. This term is used to explain when larger volumes of food are delivered through the feeding tube in a relatively short period of time, similar to how we eat meals. A typical bolus feeding may consist of two cans of formula, or a normal sized meal that has been properly processed.

Bolus feeding more closely resembles normal nutritional delivery. Our bodies are used to having full meals delivered to the stomach. For this reason, as well as the cumbersome nature of being connected to a feeding pump, patients are encouraged to transition to the bolus feeding method.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Start
    • Introduction video
    • Site Map
  • The NTLS
  • Laryngectomy
    • Stories, testimonials and clinical videos
    • Laryngectomees making news (videos)
    • Changes following a laryngectomy >
      • Anatomical Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Functional Changes After Laryngectomy
      • Swallowing After Laryngectomy
      • Smelling after Laryngectomy
    • General Care >
      • Stoma Care
      • Using Suction
      • Saline Bullets
      • Bathing/Showering as a Laryngectomy
    • Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis (TEP) >
      • Cleaning Your Voice Prosthesis
      • Troubleshooting Voice Prosthesis Issues
      • Voicing Tips
      • Hands Free Speech
      • Controlling Fungal Growth
      • TEPs and HME’s During Radiation Treatment
    • The Electrolarynx
    • HME & Tubes >
      • Using an HME Cassette
      • Cleaning Mucous From An HME
      • How To Apply An Adhesive Housing
      • Applying an OptiDerm Adhesive Housing
      • Larytube Use and Cleaning
      • Larybutton Use and Cleaning
    • Laryngectomy FAQs >
      • General Post-Op
      • Swallowing
      • HME's / Adhesives / Larybuttons
      • TEP's and voicing
    • Rescue Breathing for Laryngectomees and Neck Breathers
  • Radiation
    • Swallowing During Radiation Treatment
    • Preventing Trismus
    • Oral Care During Radiation Treatment
    • Nutrition During Radiation Treatment
    • When Nothing Tastes Right
    • TEPs and HMEs During Radiation
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Swallowing
    • Normal Swallowing
    • Dysphagia >
      • What is dysphagia
      • Common Symptoms of Dysphagia
      • Evaluating Dysphagia
    • Management of Dysphagia >
      • Overview: Diet and Intake Modifications
      • Therapy
      • Medical Management
      • VitalStim instructions
    • Trismus
    • Returning to Eating Again
    • Dietary Guidelines >
      • SOFT DIET
      • PUREED DIET
      • MOIST DIET
      • Thickening Liquids at Home
    • Therapeutic feeding
    • Swallowing exercises
  • Tracheostomy
    • Indications
    • Trach Tube Anatomy 101
    • Tracheostomy Tube Varieties >
      • Cuffed vs Cuffless Tubes
      • Types of Cuffs
      • Proper Cuff Inflation
      • Foam Cuff Inflation
      • Assessing Cuff Status
      • Fenestrated vs. Non-Fenestrated Tubes
    • Being a “Neck Breather” >
      • Physiologic/Functional Changes
    • Speaking with a Tracheostomy Tube >
      • Understanding How a Voice is Produced
      • Speaking Valves and Alternatives
    • Swallowing with a Tracheostomy
    • Suction
    • Tracheostomy Care & Decannulation
    • Tracheostomy FAQ
  • Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Guide
    • Overview
    • Why Feeding Tubes are Used
    • Types of Feeding Tubes
    • Feeding Tube Methods
    • Gastrostomy Tube Troubleshooting
    • G-Tube Removal: Preparation and Post-Removal Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Reflux
    • What is reflux?
    • Evaluating Reflux
    • Reflux Management
    • Medications
    • Reflux Diet: Beneficial Dietary and Lifestyle Changes
    • Reflux and Diet: So What Can I Eat?
    • More Extensive Testing/Management
    • Reflux FAQs
  • Voice
    • Voice Care
    • Evaluating Voice Disorders
    • Types of Voice Disorders
    • Managing Voice Disorders
  • Chronic Cough
    • Chronic Cough Management
    • Irritable Larynx Diagnosis
    • Management of ILS
    • Vocal Hygiene
    • Cough Cessation Protocol
    • FAQs
  • About
    • Publications
    • Meet the Staff
    • Office Locations and Hours
    • Contact
    • Informational handouts
    • Links
    • Disclaimer