NJ tube feeding

Beastlybeautiful · 2025-02-15T07:52:45+00:00

The doctors would like to change my baby from an NG to an NJ feeding tube as he's still aspirating milk into his lungs on the NG due to severe reflux. Does anyone have any personal experiences of an NJ tube or NG tube for their baby? How many months or years did yours require a tube?

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WaveChaser · 17/02/2025 09:40

Hey, FB has a good group on NG etc tube feeding (UK group). My daughter had an NG, I don't know anything about NJs...sorry.

Original poster

Beastlybeautiful · 17/02/2025 21:02

WaveChaser · 17/02/2025 09:40

Hey, FB has a good group on NG etc tube feeding (UK group). My daughter had an NG, I don't know anything about NJs...sorry.

Thanks,
Why did your daughter have an NG if you don't mind me asking v

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WaveChaser · 17/02/2025 22:44

Due to not eating/drinking and dropping weight to below the 2nd centile. She has a stomach/bowel condition.

mrssnowfairy · 18/02/2025 02:20

hi, not my child but i personally had an nj tube for about a year. the placements are more difficult, they may sedate a baby as i know they sedate adults and they require xray to confirm placement. i had no issues for the majority of the time except the tube would flip up into my stomach and needed replacing. one of my friends babies had an nj for a few months due to aspirating and he had no issues with it. hope this helps a bit? happy to answer any more questions you have x

Original poster

Beastlybeautiful · 18/02/2025 12:54

mrssnowfairy · 18/02/2025 02:20

hi, not my child but i personally had an nj tube for about a year. the placements are more difficult, they may sedate a baby as i know they sedate adults and they require xray to confirm placement. i had no issues for the majority of the time except the tube would flip up into my stomach and needed replacing. one of my friends babies had an nj for a few months due to aspirating and he had no issues with it. hope this helps a bit? happy to answer any more questions you have x

Hi would your friend mind answering some questions. My son is having a tube due to reflux that causes him to aspirate into his lungs. How long did he have the NJ and when was it put in?

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RockaLock · 18/02/2025 13:02

Hi @Beastlybeautiful, I'm sorry you are going through this, tube feeding is not easy.

My DS2 was NG fed from birth, but then we swapped to a PEG which he had from c2-5 years. We swapped to a PEG partly because he was going to need assisted feeding for few years, and partly because he kept bringing his NG tube up due to severe reflux/vomiting after every feed.

(The reflux was actually solved by changing the feed he was on, to a less rich one - have you considered that at all? My DS did still need his tube due to other reasons, though).

Have the doctors mentioned a PEG to you? In some ways it is more invasive, as it is through the stomach, but it does get it away from the face and nose, and doesn't need changing until it is finally removed.

I suppose it might depend on how long term you were expecting your child to need a feeding tube for, though - my DS had a genetic condition that made feeding difficult and so it was always going to be for a longish time, whereas it sounds as though hopefully yours might be somewhat shorter term, and so a PEG might not be appropriate in your case.

Original poster

Beastlybeautiful · 18/02/2025 20:24

RockaLock · 18/02/2025 13:02

Hi @Beastlybeautiful, I'm sorry you are going through this, tube feeding is not easy.

My DS2 was NG fed from birth, but then we swapped to a PEG which he had from c2-5 years. We swapped to a PEG partly because he was going to need assisted feeding for few years, and partly because he kept bringing his NG tube up due to severe reflux/vomiting after every feed.

(The reflux was actually solved by changing the feed he was on, to a less rich one - have you considered that at all? My DS did still need his tube due to other reasons, though).

Have the doctors mentioned a PEG to you? In some ways it is more invasive, as it is through the stomach, but it does get it away from the face and nose, and doesn't need changing until it is finally removed.

I suppose it might depend on how long term you were expecting your child to need a feeding tube for, though - my DS had a genetic condition that made feeding difficult and so it was always going to be for a longish time, whereas it sounds as though hopefully yours might be somewhat shorter term, and so a PEG might not be appropriate in your case.

Thank you for your response. I bet it felt amazing once the PEG was removed. It's honestly so hard seeing them like this while everyone else is at home with their beautiful babies and ours are spending the short baby years in hospital. My son also has a hole in the heart which will be getting closed soon. So it's that and reflux, it's just a waiting game to see how long he'll need it really. His reflux is quite severe as it's effecting his breathing.

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Dithercats · 18/02/2025 20:29

Personally I'd try to avoid an NJ.
They are more difficult to place, and always require an x-ray to ensure they are in the right place.
If your lo pulls out the Ng they will pull out the NJ - and it's a faff to replace.
My lo went from Ng to a peg age 3, and then had a Mickey button in her abdomen. By that point she was pulling out the Ng several times a day so it was easier to manage
She still aspirates badly and has severe reflux...but the Mickey means she's getting enough fluids. She's in school now and it's working out well.

WildZebra · 14/03/2025 01:24

I’m assuming your wee one for their NJ by now, I hope it’s going well.

As others have said it’s a harder placement as generally they’ll need IR or endoscopy to get it far enough into the small bowel.

I had the same NJ tube for 9ish months the before I got my surgical tube so if they don’t dislodge, break or get pulled out they can last a while

OneWittyHedgehog · 22/07/2025 15:57

Hi, my little boy (12 weeks) has an NJ tube due to some issues from a birth injury. Did your little one get an NJ tube after? Did you find he slept a lot due to not being hungry and having to look for milk? Thanks x

Original poster

Beastlybeautiful · 23/07/2025 00:50

OneWittyHedgehog · 22/07/2025 15:57

Hi, my little boy (12 weeks) has an NJ tube due to some issues from a birth injury. Did your little one get an NJ tube after? Did you find he slept a lot due to not being hungry and having to look for milk? Thanks x

Hi, firstly mama, I want you to be super strong during this time, a tough as it may seem you will come out the other side. I cried and I was very low during this time but now I look back and it’s a very bittersweet memory. He did get an NJ tube until his reflux was stable enough and yep he never woke at night for feeds whatsoever as he was full with the continuous feeds so there was no need.

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ThatWarmTurtle · 25/07/2025 20:32

Hello, my brother had severe reflux and aspirated almost everything he swallowed. NG + NJ fed for about 3-4 months (so when he was 6 months) but kept pulling it out. Ended up with a PEG + fundoplication op at 9 months old or so. Know its been a while since you've posted so I hope everything went ok

OneWittyHedgehog · 26/07/2025 07:48

Beastlybeautiful · 23/07/2025 00:50

Hi, firstly mama, I want you to be super strong during this time, a tough as it may seem you will come out the other side. I cried and I was very low during this time but now I look back and it’s a very bittersweet memory. He did get an NJ tube until his reflux was stable enough and yep he never woke at night for feeds whatsoever as he was full with the continuous feeds so there was no need.

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Thank you. We got home from hospital yesterday and it did hit me. I’m hoping with time it becomes my new normal