Tube Feeding

There are many reasons why babies, children or adults may require a feeding tube.
Tube feeding, also called enteral nutrition, is a way food can get into your body if you are unable to eat or unable to eat enough. Food in liquid form or formula is given through a tube into the stomach or small intestine.
Tubes can be placed in different places along the gastrointestinal tract:
  • A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is a tube that is put up the nose and down into the stomach.
  • A nasojejunal (NJ tube) is similar to an NG tube except that it is threaded through the stomach and into the jejunum, the middle section of the small intestine.
  • In some cases, a Nasoduodenal (ND tube) may be placed into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.
  • A gastrostomy (G tube), sometimes called a PEG, (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) is placed in the stomach during a procedure. Some PEG’s have a tube always hanging out, and some replacement PEGs are flat (‘profile’, or ‘buttons’).
  • A Gastrojejunal (GJ tube) or Transjejunal Tubes are very similar to G-tubes in that they enter the stomach directly through the skin using the same site or stoma as a G-tube. Most have two feeding ports, one into the stomach, and a second tube that extends into the small intestine.
  • A Jejunal (J Tube) or Jejunostomy is placed in the middle part of the small intestine, called the jejunum, during surgery.

This information has been sourced from Queensland Health; for practical information about living with a feeding tube please download their resource Tube Feeding at Home.

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Site last updated: 2 November, 2021
Feeding Tube Awareness Week is an awareness raising campaign of ausEE Inc., a registered Australian charity. The content of this website is not influenced by its supporters, partners or sponsors and a link to a website, external contact or group from this site does not imply that it is endorsed by ausEE Inc. This website does not accept or host any paid advertisements.
​Feeding Tube Awareness Week® was first created by the Feeding Tube Awareness Foundation, a United States of America 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to increase awareness of feeding tubes and enteral feeding. The 11th annual Feeding Tube Awareness Week® will be celebrated 8-12 February 2021. To find out more click here. In Australia, ausEE Inc. hosts Feeding Tube Awareness Week, each year nationally to raise awareness for those living with feeding tubes.
ausEE Inc. ABN 30 563 569 016 Australia ©2009-2021 The information on this website is for general information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice from your doctor or other health care professional. ausEE Inc. acknowledges and pays respect to the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work and live on as the first people of this country.