Tube Feeding (Enteral Nutrition): Types, Placement, Feeding Methods, Care and Risks
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is tube feeding?
Tube feeding (enteral nutrition) is a way to deliver liquid formula, fluids and sometimes medicine through a soft, flexible tube that enters through the nose or the belly wall and ends in the stomach or small intestine. It supports people who cannot safely chew or swallow, and a tube that falls out needs emergency care. [1]
What the research says
Stomach tubes placed by endoscopy fail less often than nose tubes. A review of 11 randomized trials with 735 adults with swallowing problems found feeding failure (blocked, leaking or stopped tubes) was far less likely with an endoscopic gastrostomy than with a nasogastric tube (risk ratio 0.18 across 408 participants), with no clear difference in deaths or aspiration pneumonia. (Gomes et al., Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2015) [2]
Endoscopic and X-ray-guided stomach tubes are similarly safe overall. Pooling 16 studies (934 endoscopic and 1,093 radiologic gastrostomies), researchers found no difference in infections or 30-day deaths, but tube-related problems were 16 percentage points more common after the X-ray-guided method. (Strijbos et al., J Clin Gastroenterol, 2018) [3]
Many people on home tube feeding move past it, but problems are common. Among 1,600 people starting home enteral nutrition, the median time on it was 100 days; 82% had stopped by the end of follow-up, and 44.2% of those reached their nutrition goals or could eat by mouth again. Just over half (53.2%) had at least one feeding-related complication. (Mundi et al., JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 2023) [4]
Key takeaways
Tube feeding gives the body nutrition, fluids and medicine when eating by mouth isn't safe or enough. [1]
Nose tubes are usually used for less than 4–6 weeks; tubes through the belly wall are used for longer. [1]
Tubes ending in the stomach allow mealtime (bolus) feeds; tubes ending in the small intestine need slow, continuous feeds. [1]
Flushing with warm water and cleaning the skin daily prevent most clogs and infections. [1]
A new belly tube that comes out in the first 6–8 weeks is a medical emergency. [1]
What is tube feeding (enteral nutrition)?
Tube feeding (enteral nutrition) is the delivery of nutrients and fluids through a feeding tube to people who can't safely chew or swallow. [1] The tube is soft, flexible plastic, and liquid nutrition travels through it into the digestive tract. Care teams can also give some medicines through the same tube. [1]
Think of a feeding tube as an extra doorway into the digestive system. Normally, food moves from the mouth to the esophagus, then to the stomach and small intestine. When a condition blocks that route, the tube skips the blocked part. [1]
Where the tube ends matters:
What are the types of feeding tubes?
Feeding tubes come in two main groups: tubes that go in through the nose and tubes that go directly through the belly wall. [1] The choice depends mostly on how long you will need tube feeding.
Tubes through the nose (short-term)
Nose tubes are usually recommended if you'll need tube feeding for less than four to six weeks. [1] They are also used to test whether your body tolerates tube-feeding formula before a longer-term tube is placed. [1]
Tubes through the belly wall (longer-term)
Belly-wall tubes are a more semi-permanent option, usually used when tube feeding will last longer than four to six weeks. [1]
Tube | Enters through | Ends in | Usual use |
Nasogastric (NG) | Nose | Stomach | Short-term (under 4–6 weeks) |
Nasoduodenal (ND) | Nose | Duodenum (first part of the small intestine) | Short-term |
Nasojejunal (NJ) | Nose | Jejunum (second part of the small intestine) | Short-term |
Gastrostomy (G-tube) | Belly wall | Stomach | Longer-term (over 4–6 weeks) |
Jejunostomy (J-tube) | Belly wall | Jejunum | Longer-term |
Gastrostomy-jejunostomy (GJ-tube) | Belly wall | Stomach and jejunum | Longer-term; G port drains stomach fluid and gives medicines, J port is for feeding |
Source: [1]
For a closer look at the small-intestine option, see our guide to J-tube placement and jejunostomy care.
Why would someone need a feeding tube?
Someone needs a feeding tube when they aren't getting enough nutrition by mouth, most often because chewing or swallowing is limited (dysphagia). [1] Feeding tubes also support metabolism and overall digestive health during illness or recovery. [1]
Conditions that may lead to tube feeding include: [1]
Trouble swallowing from dysphagia
Head and neck cancers, or an injury that makes swallowing hard
Digestive problems such as a narrowed esophagus (esophageal strictures) or esophageal dysmotility
Conditions that block nutrient absorption, such as severe Crohn's disease or celiac disease
Severe eating disorders
Recent surgery or illness that affected swallowing
Unconsciousness, such as a coma
Is tube feeding used at the end of life?
Tube feeding near the end of life is a personal choice; for people with advanced dementia, experts advise against it because it does not help them live longer or feel more comfortable. [1] Some people or their families decide against it. This is a deeply personal choice, best made together with your care team. [1]
How is a feeding tube placed?
A feeding tube is placed either at the bedside (for most nose tubes) or during a short in-hospital procedure (for tubes needed longer than about a month). [1] Most tubes are inserted in the hospital, but many people keep using them at home. Tube feeding at home is called home enteral nutrition (HEN). [1]
How should I prepare for a feeding tube procedure?
Preparing for an in-hospital feeding tube procedure usually means fasting (no food or drink) for at least eight hours beforehand. [1] You'll also need to stop blood-thinning medicines, such as aspirin, for a period before the procedure, as your care team directs. [1]
During the procedure, you receive anesthesia and sedation, so you won't feel pain. Most procedures take about half an hour. [1]
What are the ways to insert a feeding tube?
Method | How it works | Examples |
Through the nose | Done at the bedside with image guidance. The tube is lubricated, the nose is numbed, and the tube is guided down the throat and esophagus. You may sip water through a straw to help it move down. | NG, ND, NJ tubes |
Endoscopic | A thin, flexible camera (endoscope) passes through the mouth into the stomach to show where to make a tiny cut in the abdomen for the tube. | PEG, PEG-J |
Radiologic | X-rays guide where to make the cut for the tube. | RIG, PRJ |
Surgical | Open surgery with a larger cut, or laparoscopy using a few tiny cuts and a camera. | Surgical G-tube or J-tube |
Source: [1]
Ask your care team which method they plan to use, so you know how to prepare and what to expect. [1]
How does tube feeding work day to day?
Tube feeding works by sending liquid formula from a bag or syringe through the tube, either by hand, by a pump, or by gravity. [1] Some tubes use a syringe or pump to push formula from a bag. Others connect to a bag hung on a pole or hook, and gravity moves the formula down the tube at mealtime. [1]
What is the difference between bolus and continuous feeding?
Bolus feeding gives formula only at mealtimes, while continuous feeding gives small amounts steadily through the day. [1]
Bolus feeding | Continuous feeding | |
When | At usual mealtimes | Constant, small amounts daily |
Tube position | Stomach | Small intestine (duodenum or jejunum) |
Why | The stomach naturally stores food and handles larger volumes | The small intestine isn't built to hold large volumes at once |
Upside | Keeps a regular eating routine | Matches how the small intestine can absorb |
Source: [1]
How is the right formula chosen?
The right formula is chosen by your care team to give you the correct amounts of fluids, vitamins, minerals and calories. [1] Many formulas are available, with different calorie levels and different amounts of protein, fat and carbohydrate. Some are designed for specific conditions, such as kidney disease. [1]
Your care team may change the formula over time based on how well you tolerate it and how your nutrition needs shift. [1]
How can I stay safe during feedings?
Staying safe during tube feeding starts with body position: sitting up at about a 45-degree angle during feeds and for a few hours afterward helps prevent aspiration pneumonia. [1] Aspiration pneumonia happens when formula slips into the windpipe and lungs and causes an infection. Learn more about lung infections in our pneumonia guide.
Never put carbonated (fizzy) drinks into a feeding tube. [1]
How do you care for a feeding tube at home?
Feeding tube care at home comes down to two jobs: keeping the tube clear of clogs and keeping the skin around it clean to prevent infection. [1] Your care team will teach you (or your caregiver) how to do both before you leave the hospital. [1]
How do you care for the insertion site?
Insertion site care means washing the skin around the tube with soap and water at least once a day, and more often if there is drainage. [1]
Wash: soap and water at least daily; call your care team if you notice drainage, since gauze or barrier creams can help protect the skin. [1]
Dry: pat the area dry with a clean cloth between cleanings, because bacteria grow in warm, moist places. [1]
Nose tubes: gently wipe away any crust that forms. [1]
Watch for infection: warmth, redness, pain, swelling or pus means you should contact your care team right away. [1]
How do you care for the tube itself?
Tube care means flushing the tube regularly and having it changed on schedule. [1]
Task | How often | Why |
Flush with warm water | Before and after every feed and every medicine, and on days the tube isn't used | Prevents clogs |
Change a balloon-tip tube | Every 3–6 months | Keeps the tube working properly |
Change a firm-tip tube | About once a year | Keeps the tube working properly |
Source: [1]
Your care team will show you how to flush the tube and tell you when to come in for a change. [1]
What should I do if the feeding tube comes out?
A feeding tube that slips out or is pulled out needs emergency care, so go to the emergency room right away. [1] After a new belly tube is placed, the passage between the stomach or small intestine and the skin takes about six to eight weeks to heal and mature. Losing the tube before then is a medical emergency. [1]
What are the risks of tube feeding?
The risk of serious complications from tube feeding is small, though some short-term discomfort is common at first. [1]
Common at first (usually expected) | Less common complications |
Belly soreness for a few days after a tube is placed | Sores in the nasal passage (nose tubes only) |
Some drainage for a day or two | A clogged, damaged or moved tube |
Diarrhea while the body adjusts | Infection or leaking stomach contents at the insertion site |
Ongoing constipation, nausea or diarrhea | |
Aspiration pneumonia |
Source: [1]
Your care team can prescribe pain medicine and adjust the formula or feeding schedule to go easier on your digestive system while it adjusts. [1]
How long does a person keep a feeding tube?
The length of time a person keeps a feeding tube varies widely, from a few weeks to several months or years, depending on why it was placed. [1] Some people need a feeding tube long term to receive nutrition, medicine or water. [1]
When should you call your care team about a feeding tube?
You should call your care team right away if you have pain, redness, swelling, heavy leaking or itching at the tube site. [1]
Conclusion
Tube feeding can't replace the pleasure of tasting food, but it does vital work: it gives the body nutrition it couldn't otherwise get, buys time while the body heals and regains strength, and for some people becomes a lasting part of survival. [1] Knowing your tube type, your feeding schedule, and the few warning signs that need fast action makes life with a feeding tube safer and calmer, for you and for the people who care for you.
Next step: Share this guide with the caregiver who helps with your feeds, keep the home care checklist somewhere visible, and bring your questions about tube type, formula and tube changes to your next appointment. If swallowing trouble is the reason for the tube, our complete dysphagia guide explains the causes, tests and treatments in plain language.
FAQ
What is tube feeding (enteral nutrition)?
Tube feeding (enteral nutrition) is the delivery of liquid nutrition, fluids and sometimes medicine through a soft, flexible tube into the stomach or small intestine. The tube enters through the nose or directly through the belly wall. [1]
Who needs a feeding tube?
A feeding tube is needed by people who can't get enough nutrition by mouth, often because they can't safely chew or swallow. Common reasons include stroke, head and neck cancer, a narrowed esophagus, severe Crohn's or celiac disease, recent surgery and coma. [1]
Is getting a feeding tube painful?
Feeding tube placement is done with anesthesia and sedation for in-hospital procedures, or with a numbing medicine for nose tubes, so the procedure itself shouldn't hurt. Afterward, the belly may feel sore for a few days, and your care team can prescribe pain medicine. [1]
How long can a person stay on tube feeding?
The time a person stays on tube feeding ranges from a few weeks to several months or years, depending on the reason for the tube. Some people need it long term for nutrition, medicine or water. [1]
How often does a feeding tube need to be changed?
Feeding tubes with a balloon at the tip usually need changing every three to six months, while tubes with a firmer plastic tip usually need changing about once a year. Your care team will tell you when to come in. [1]
What should I do if my feeding tube falls out?
A feeding tube that falls out or is pulled out needs emergency care, so go to the emergency room right away. This is especially urgent in the first six to eight weeks after a new belly tube is placed, while the opening is still healing. [1]
How do you unclog a feeding tube?
A clogged feeding tube can first be flushed gently with warm water. If the clog doesn't clear, call your care team, and never push wires into the tube. [1]
Can tube feeding cause diarrhea?
Tube feeding can cause diarrhea, especially at first while the body adjusts to receiving nutrition in a new way. Your care team can adjust the formula or feeding schedule to help. [1]
Can you eat by mouth if you have a feeding tube?
Some people can, if their care team says swallowing is safe. Others must not eat or drink by mouth because food could go into the lungs, so follow your team's advice.
Can you shower or swim with a feeding tube?
Most people can shower once the site has healed, then gently dry the skin around the tube. Ask your care team before swimming or soaking in a bath.
Related Reading
PEG Tube (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy): Placement and Care explains PEG feeding tube placement and care.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Tube Feeding (Enteral Nutrition). Cleveland Clinic. Last updated February 21, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition
Gomes CAR Jr, Andriolo RB, Bennett C, et al. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube feeding for adults with swallowing disturbances. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(5):CD008096. PMID 25997528. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008096.pub4
Strijbos D, Keszthelyi D, Bogie RMM, et al. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Outcomes and Complications of Percutaneous Endoscopic Versus Radiologic Gastrostomy for Enteral Feeding. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;52(9):753-764. PMID 29924079. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0000000000001082
Mundi MS, Mohamed Elfadil O, Olson DA, et al. Home enteral nutrition: A descriptive study. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2023;47(4):550-562. PMID 36912121. https://doi.org/10.1002/jpen.2498
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education and does not replace advice from your doctor, dietitian or nurse. Decisions about feeding tubes, formulas and feeding schedules should always be made with your care team. If a feeding tube falls out or you notice signs of infection, seek medical care right away.
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