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All our online advice and support is independently researched by our specialist team.
All our online advice and support is independently researched by our specialist team.
All our online advice and support is independently researched by our specialist team.
Some people find it difficult to eat and drink enough to grow and stay healthy. This is more common in people with cerebral palsy (CP).
Tube feeding is a way of giving someone food and liquids directly into their stomach or further down their gut through a tube.
Your doctor or healthcare team might suggest tube feeding if you or your child is:
NGT feeding involves inserting a flexible, spaghetti-like tube through the nose. It might be slightly uncomfortable to fit but it is not painful. Once the tube is in place, you can do your usual activities.
Talk to your medical team about how long you or your child will need the NGT. Usually this is for a short time. NGTs can cause irritation around the face, nose and throat if used for longer. If someone needs a feeding tube for longer, you might want to consider a gastrostomy tube (PEG).
A PEG tube goes through the abdomen (tummy) into the stomach. Most people can start using their PEG tube on the same day. Many people prefer this to a nasogastric tube. The PEG can be under clothes and is unlikely to become dislodged.
Some people need tube feeding because they have severe reflux. Reflux is when stomach contents go back up into the throat.
Some people with reflux need a tube into the jejunum. The jejunum is the first bit of the intestine that attaches to the stomach.
A tube into the jejunum bypasses the stomach. This means that the feed cannot go back up into the throat and cause reflux.
If someone has a jejunostomy, they will have a constant drip of milk feed going through the tube.
Most people have a special liquid feed for tube feeding. This specialist liquid feed makes sure that you get the calories and nutrients you need to grow and stay healthy. Your doctor or dietitian will advise you on what type of feed and how much you need
Some people prefer to put blended food down the feeding tube.
Research into the blended diet (York University)
If you want to use blended food, is important you discuss this with your dietitian or community nursing team first. This is to avoid damaging the tube or causing infection.
Choosing tube feeding for you or your child is a big decision. Some people feel concerned that it will affect daily activities like going to school or work or joining in with social occasions.
Speak to your health professionals about how to manage tube feeding in a way that works for you.
It can help to know the benefits of tube feeding, which include:
Some people can have a small amount of food or drink by mouth and have top-up feed through their tube. This means they get enough nutrition even if they cannot eat much by mouth.
For some people, it may not be safe for them to have anything to eat or drink by mouth. This is if there is a clear risk of aspiration.
Ask your doctor, dietitian or speech and language therapist for advice.
You can share your experiences with other parents in our online community.
Download a PDF of Fun In The Sun, a children's storybook showing that tube feeding does not stop children having fun.
What? Why? Children in Hospital has a video of health professionals and a family talking about a child getting a gastrostomy feeding tube.
My child is getting a gastrostomy feeding tube (What? Why? Children in Hospital)
Last reviewed by Scope on: 28/08/2026
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