What Is A Toddler Tube Used For?

A baby feeding tube (or toddler tube) is a soft flexible tube that is used to deliver fluids, formula and medicine to small children that have difficulty eating or drinking. A doctor will place the tube into a child’s body either through the stomach wall to reach the stomach directly or by inserting it into the child’s small intestine.

Children that require a feeding tube often suffer from one or more of the following conditions:

• Abnormalities in the mouth, stomach, esophagus or intestines.

• Have sucking or swallowing disorders that are typically related to neuromuscular conditions such as cerebral palsy, brain injury or were born prematurely and suffer from developmental deficiencies.

• Experience poor growth even after receiving dietary supplements.

• Have difficulty taking medicines orally.

• Suffer from aspiration where the contents of the mouth or stomach go into their breathing tube or lungs during or after eating.