Performing any medical procedure on your child can be stressful for all concerned. Swapping out your child’s balloon g-tube for a replacement is no exception. Follow these tips to make it easier on both of you.
Act natural. A child can feel your stress. Make it seem like it’s no big deal.
Distract. If your child needs distraction to relax and take his mind off what you’re doing, sing a song (some parents make up a song to sing with their child) or tell a story, or turn on his favorite TV show or let him play a game on your phone for a few minutes.
Give them some control. If your child is able to take responsibility for a small task, have him hold supplies or let him draw the water out of the balloon on the old g-tube.
Do it on an empty stomach. Change the g-tube a few hours away from a feeding so that there’s less chance of gastric contents coming out while you’re doing it.
Multitask. Make the tube change part of a routine you’re already doing, such as at the same time you would normally check the water in the balloon or change a diaper.
Be sneaky. Have the replacement tube lubed, ready to go and out of sight. While you’re changing a diaper or replacing the balloon water, sneak out the old tube and slip the new one in before they figure it out.
Offer a reward. This can be as easy as a small toy from the dollar store. Consider a “Grab bag” of goodies to keep on hand for just such an occasion.
Get a tubie friend. Let your child practice the procedure on a doll or teddy bear that has a g-tube too.
How to Change Your Child’s Balloon G-Tube
- Lay the child flat
- Clean the stoma site and let it dry.
- Use a small slip tip syringe to remove the water from the old g-tube. The syringe should come with the new feeding tube.
- Spread lubricating jelly around the stoma and the old tube. Use water-based lubricant, like K-Y jelly, oil-based lubricants may damage the tube.
- Lubricate the new tube at this time too, so you have it ready.
- Gently but firmly pull the tube out with a twisting motion. It may help to gently press down on the skin around the stoma while you are pulling on the tube.
- Slip the new tube in and use the slip tip syringe to inflate with the recommended amount of sterile or distilled water.
- Wipe the stoma site clean.
