Gravity feeding

Hi, I'm Helen and I'm going to walk you through how to administer your formula using gravity feeding. This method is used when you need to give yourself a specific amount of formula over a short period. Gravity feeding also allows for a hands free and controlled infusion. 

There are 7 steps you'll need to follow and you can jump to anyone at any time using the chapters below. 

Step 1: Getting started 

Let's start by making sure you've got all your supplies ready to go. IV pull, gravity feeding bag, formula at room temperature in the amount and type prescribed by your doctor, syringe, a large clean glass filled with tap water or drinking water at room temperature. Your clean tube feeding instruction mat, also known as your tin mat, plus paper towels or a clean dish towel in a clean work area. 

Also, you may have seen nurses wearing gloves in the hospital when administering your feeding, but you don't need to do this at home, just washing your hands is enough. Think of it like washing your hands before you sit down to eat dinner. Use soap, warm water for at least 20 seconds and dry with a clean towel. 

To help keep your feeding tube clean and to prevent clogging, you'll want to flush it with room temperature water before and after each feeding, and before and after you flush medication down your tooth. 

Step 2: Flushing your tube 

So let's begin with the first flushing. Take your glass of water, making sure it's at room temperature. Then take your syringe with its plunger still in place and put the tip into the water. Pull back on the plunger to draw the water into the syringe, using the amount of water prescribed by your doctor. Then remove the syringe from the glass. If you don't know how much water to use, call us and we'll confirm your prescription. 

Next, you'll want to pinch, clamp, or fold over part of your feeding tube to stop any liquid from flowing out of your port. Then, open the feeding port and connect the syringe tip to the port. 

Unfold or unclamp the feeding tube and gently push the syringe plunger down to flush the water through your tube. When you're done, remove the syringe and close the port. 

First, shake your container formula well and then open it up. Make sure the roller clamp on your gravity feeding bag is closed by moving the roller down to the bottom position. Then fill the gravity feeding bag with the amount of formula you've been prescribed and close the top of the feeding bag. 

Hang the feeding bag on the IV pole. It should be at least 18 inches above the level of your stomach. 

Take the plastic cover off the end of the tubing that's attached to the feeding bag. Hold the tip of the tubing over a waste container or the sink. Open the roller clamp by moving the roller up towards the top. 

Let the formula flow into the end of the tubing. You should see a few drops come out. Then close the clamp. 

Step 5: Administering your formula 

Now open your feeding tube port and connect the tip of the tubing to the feeding tube port. Make sure it's secure. Open the roller clamp to adjust the flow of formula. 

It should take about 20 to 30 minutes for one 8 ounce container formula to infuse, but thicker formula may take longer. You can use the roller clamp throughout the feeding to speed up or slow down the drip rate. If you're not tolerating the feedings well, let us know. 

We may recommend infusing over a longer period of time. If you use one gravity bag for multiple feedings during the day, rinse it out well after each feeding. Then let it air dry on a clean surface until you need it again. 

Step 6: Flushing your tube 

Once the feeding is done, it's important to flush your tube for a second time. To do this, you will follow the same steps as earlier. Refill your glass of water if needed, making sure it's at room temperature. Then take your syringe and place the tip into the water. Pull back on the plunger to draw the water into the syringe using the amount of water prescribed by your doctor. Then remove the syringe from the glass. Next, you'll want to pinch, clamp or fold over part of your feeding tube to stop any flow. Open the end of your feeding tube port, then connect the syringe tip to the port. 

Unfold or unclamp the feeding tube and gently push the syringe plunger down to flush the water through your tube. When you're done, remove the syringe and close the port. 

Step 7: Cleanup and disposal  

Now your final step is clean up. If your formula container is empty, you can toss it into the recycle bin or trash, depending on the instructions. And you can cover and store any unused formula in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. You should also throw away your gravity feeding bag and tubing after 24 hours of use. 

This may all seem a bit overwhelming at first, but once you do this a few times, you'll feel more comfortable. And remember, as a Coram patient, our team is here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

If you'd like to learn more, visit the Resource Center on our website at Coramhc.com and watch our Getting Started with your Feeding Tube video. 

Thank you for watching today.