This is a method of adding formula to a tube used to feed, ad the formula usually flows out through the process of gravity. Normally, this is slower than a syringe, and usually, a rolled clamp is used on this tubing in order to monitor the rate. Usually, you get a “meal” every few hours, with the feeding process taking anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
How you can Gravity Feed
First, you need to make sure that you have materials, which include:
- A cup of water at room temperature
- The gravity feeding bag
- A pole for the IV
- Formula
- A catheter tip or syringe that’s about 60 millimeters.
With this, you always wash your hands before you handle these supplies.
The Steps
You will then want to look at the types of feeding tubes. For low-profile feeding tube types, you need to make sure that the extension is primed to remove the air that’s there before attachment. This also prevents the air from coming into the stomach itself, reducing discomfort or preventing it.
First, you need to clamp the set, and then remove your plunger from that syringe, and then add it to the tubing. You then want to add about 15 milliliters of that formula directly to the syringe itself. You can ten unclamp the extension, which allows for the formula to sit directly into one end of the tubing itself, and then clamp the set o the extension. From here, you attach your extension directly to the feeding tube itself. For normal feeding tubes, you want to flush this out with some water to properly prime this and prevent air bubbles.
NXT you want to:
- Take the plunger apart from the syringe
- Attach your syringe to that feeding tube
- Put about 10-15 mL of the water and let it flow there
- Clean the outside of the container for formula, and then use a towel to open that.
- Close this onto that bag that’s used
- Open up your gravity bag and put the right amount of formula into this
- Squeeze out the air from the bag in order to close this
- Put the bag onto the IV pole itself
Next, you want to prevent the bag from having air by priming this and preventing any problems. From here you want to open up the clamp that’s used for rollers and then add the formula so that it gets to the tip of this tubing. From there, close it.
You then wat to remove the cover on the tubing of the gravity bag, then add the tip directly towards your feeding port. From there, open up the clamps there beginning to feed, while also controlling how much feed is going into there.
In general, it’s going to take anywhere from 30-60 minutes for about 8 formula ounces, depending on how much you can tolerate. You can also open up the roller clamp in order to speed this up, and then close it to slow it down. You also should slow down if you feel nauseous or full when feeding.
If you have loose bowels when you’re feeding or a bad stomach problem, you also should remove it and reduce it too. Once this is done, put the feeding tube and the feeding bag away, flushing the tube with proper water. Ten closes up the port and remove the tubing as needed. Obviously, wash and dry off the equipment and your hands, and make sure to keep the extra formula left over within 24 hours.
Ostomy Health Blog 