Children with tube feedings often have trouble with tolerating feedings, especially if the feeding schedule or method is not right. They may experience challenging symptoms such as vomiting, retching, diarrhea, gas, or constipation. They also may have much greater difficulty handling illness. This section will provide tips for resolving these common complications.

Feed Intolerance

Start here if your child is not tolerating feeds. This page provides many reasons why feeding intolerance may occur. It also offers nine possible methods for resolving feeding intolerance. A sample feed tracker is included for your reference.

Vomiting and Retching

Many children with feeding tubes vomit frequently, which is distressing both to them and their parents. In addition, vomiting children often have trouble gaining weight. This page addresses the various causes of vomiting and provides suggestions for reducing or eliminating vomiting. It also addresses retching, both as an individual symptom and after fundoplication surgery.

Gas, Bloating, and Bacterial Overgrowth

Gas and bloating are common symptoms that can be caused by a wide variety of problems, ranging from fundoplication surgery to motility problems and excess air swallowing. This page also discusses Bacterial Overgrowth or SIBO.

Constipation and Diarrhea

Stooling problems are common in children with feeding tubes. Many children with feeding tubes may also struggle with constipation, and this may make feeding intolerance worse. Learn the common causes of constipation and diarrhea, treatments, and tips for prevention.

Illness

When your child is ill, you cannot expect him or her to tolerate feedings normally. Learn how to get through an illness with a feeding tube, and how to adjust feeds safely during illness.