High-intensity supports
A Guide to Enteral Feeding
This is a guide to enteral feeding, including PEG, PEJ, NG, NJ.
What is Enteral (PEG, PEJ, NG, NJ) Feeding?
Enteral feeding (also called tube feeding) is a way of delivering essential nutrients to someone who isn’t able to, or has difficulty consuming, food, fluids or medications orally.
Nutrients bypass the oral route and are given via a tube directly into the gastrointestinal tract (stomach or intestines) to support the person to meet their nutritional requirements.
The path the tube takes into the gastrointestinal tract determines what the enteral feeding support is called. This includes:
- PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy)
- PEJ (percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy)
- NG (nasogastric)
- NJ (nasojejunal)
Enteral feeding equipment
Enteral feeds can be delivered in a number of ways. Each person will work with their healthcare team to determine the best method for them, based on the type of enteral feeding support they require, their environments, wants, needs and other factors.
The equipment for enteral feeding typically includes:
- A feeding tube (for example, a PEG tube)
- A feeding pump and bag
- Nutritional formula
- Syringes (for flushing the tube or delivering formula)
- Cleaning supplies for tube and stoma care
- Personal Protective Equipment (such as gloves) for Support Workers
How to make mealtimes more enjoyable
“Being in the tube-feeding space, mealtimes can all feel a bit medical. There’s a lot of stuff that needs to be done around feeding Arlo. There’s a lot that needs to be prepared."
Writer Mel Dimmitt describes how she makes mealtimes fun for Arlo, her seven-year-old son who requires dysphagia support.
Providing Enteral Feeding Support
Each person will work with their healthcare team to ensure a holistic approach is taken to their enteral feeding support. The following professionals may be involved:
- Dietitians: for assessing nutritional needs and monitoring diet.
- Speech Pathologists: to evaluate swallowing and recommend safe feeding practices.
- Doctors and Nurses: for procedural aspects and overall health monitoring.
- Disability Support Workers: trained in managing the day-to-day aspects of feeding and equipment care specific to each person.
Examples of Enteral Feeding
- Sarah, a 35-year-old with muscular dystrophy, relies on PEG feeding to maintain her nutritional intake. She is nil by mouth. Her support team includes a dietitian and her Support Workers who provide PEG feeding support throughout the day.
- David, who experienced a stroke, requires PEG feeding as part of his support. His dietician regularly assesses his nutritional needs and adjusts his feeding regime with feedback from David, his family and Support Workers. David’s workers support his stoma care.
How Hireup can help with Enteral Feeding supports
Hireup is Australia's largest NDIS-registered online provider
Our experienced team of Specialised Support managers will work closely with you to support you with your enteral feeding needs.
They'll find you workers who not only are trained to provide specialised supports, but suit your interests too.
They'll also provide specific training to your support workers and ensure they follow the individual enteral feeding support plan.
