👶🏻 G Tubes In The NICU 👶🏼⠀⠀

🍼 Like us, babies have to eat also! But why do we use G tubes? For some babies out there that are struggling to bottle feed, sometimes the next step to be able to go home is to get a G tube. Others may need it for other medical reasons. ⠀

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🍽 What are G Tubes? 🍼⠀

Gastronomy tubes are surgically placed into the stomach where the surgeon will inflate a balloon filled with water to keep the tube in place. This allows for enteral feedings and meds directly into the baby’s stomach so the baby can get the food and meds he/she needs. ⠀

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👩🏻‍⚕️Roles of the RN🧑🏻‍⚕️⠀

1️⃣Always assess your site with each assessment. ⠀

2️⃣Always clean around the site and dry it very well to prevent breakdown. ⠀

3️⃣If it is newly placed, always ask your surgeon about the plan on when they will come to remove the dressing and allow for use. ⠀

4️⃣Educate the families on how to do g tube care, how to administer feeds and medications and what to do in an emergency if the tube comes out.