There are three different ways to administer nutrition (or fluids) via a feeding tube. I personally use or have used all three over time. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, you should simply look at which variant best suits your own needs. This can indeed vary depending on the situation. Perhaps you will find out while trying it out that this option is not for you after all. That’s perfectly fine. One of the three application methods will definitely work.
With the pump
The most common method is to apply food or liquid using a feeding pump. The bottle, bag or container of tube feed or liquid is connected to the tube using a special transfer set. This transfer set is then attached to the feeding pump, which then ensures that the feed or liquid is pumped into the stomach. Two parameters can be set on the pump. Firstly, the amount to be administered. Usually, this is freely selectable. Some pumps can also be set to “infinite”. In this case, the pump continues to pump until the transfer tube draws in air. As soon as the pump registers air in the tube, it stops automatically.
Flow rate
The second programmable parameter for the pumps is the so-called flow rate. This is the speed at which the liquid or food is to be pumped in. The dosage size is always the amount of liquid per hour. This also allows the speed at which the stomach is filled to be regulated. Depending on the model, a flow rate of up to 600 ml/h can be set. Sometimes only up to 400 ml/h.
Advantages of pump application
The main advantage of pump application is that both the amount administered and the speed of gastric filling can be precisely adjusted. Since very low parameters can also be conveniently defined here, pump application is particularly suitable, for example, for feeding people who can only tolerate food administered slowly. Without someone having to stand by the whole time. Or even while sleeping. Because, of course, our body is not designed to absorb large amounts of food while sleeping. In addition, due to the usually lying sleeping position, there is a risk that liquid will run out of the esophagus and then, in the worst case, be aspirated. My assistant always connects water to me at night, which we have pumped in at 100 ml/h. On the one hand, this ensures that I stay a little hydrated at night. I also like to use it as a natural alarm clock. Because everything that goes into the body naturally has to come out again at some point. Now I know my body well enough to be able to estimate when the morning urge to urinate will wake me up when I have the water connected at a certain time at night.
Location-independent
If you use a pump for application, you are also location-independent. This is because the pump can also be attached to a wheelchair. Either directly or in a (special) backpack. This backpack is also very popular with tube feeders, because it allows us to eat while on the go.
Disadvantages of pump application
For me, there are two main disadvantages to pumps. On the one hand, there is the technology. It needs a battery. Although the batteries last quite a long time. When a pump is charged, it is easily enough for a day. Even if it is used permanently (i.e. very slowly). In case of technical problems, it is advisable to always have a spare pump at home. On the other hand, the flow rate is limited. In some situations, this may be too slow. I have already written about this in another post. However, this can be avoided with the other two application options, which I will introduce to you soon.
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