Pump feeding procedure

Paediatric guidelines (in development)
NHS Lothian

Items required for the procedure:

  • Feeding pump and feeding set
  • 60ml enteral syringe
  • Cooled boiled water for flushing
  • Feed as directed by a dietician

Remember good food hygiene
Feed and equipment must be prepared on a clean surface

NB. The G-tube does not have a clamp so overlook the parts about unclamping or clamping the tube.

The Procedure

  1. Ensure everything you need has been collected and is near to hand.
  2. Inform the child/young person that you are now going to start the feed.
  3. Position the child/young person in a sitting position. If this is not possible their head should be elevated by at least one pillow. For babies, place the pillow underneath the top of the mattress.
  4. Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
  5. Prepare feeding set with feed as shown by the company representative or a healthcare professional.NB Unused feed should be stored in a fridge and discarded after 24 hrs.
  6. Set feeding rate and volume on pump as prescribed by dietitian.
  7. Open the cover of the feeding port and attach 60ml enteral syringe to it, ensure clamp is closed.
  8. Flush the gastrostomy tube by unclamping the tube and slowly pushing the plunger of the syringe to insert the water; only administer the recommended amount of cooled boiled water
  9. Once flush complete close clamp. Remove 60ml enteral syringe.
  10. Attach feeding set to feeding port, open clamps on feeding set and gastrostomy tube then commence feed.For the first 5 days following insertion of the gastrostomy tube if the child/young person experiences pain on feeding, fresh bleeding, or leakage of feed around the tube feeds should be stopped and you should call for advice (please refer to Contact Points for details).

    NB If the child starts coughing or vomiting during the feed, then stop and restart once they have settled. If they continue coughing or vomiting, then call for advice (please refer to Contact Points for details).
  11. Once feed is complete, close all clamps and detach feeding set from feeding port.
  12. Attach 60ml enteral syringe containing cooled boiled water to feeding port and open clamp.
  13. Flush the gastrostomy tube by unclamping gastrostomy tube and slowly pushing the plunger of the syringe to insert the water; only administer the recommended amount of cooled boiled water.
  14. Once complete, close clamp, detach 60ml enteral syringe and replace feeding port cover.
  15. Wash and store reusable syringe as per manufacturer’s instructions.
  16. Wash and dry hands thoroughly.
  17. Re-use or dispose of feeding set as advised.

NB Feeding bags should be changed every 24 hrs