Enteral feeding

Enteral feeding is used when a child cannot maintain their own nutritional intake. The main reasons for using enteral feeding are as follows:

• Children who are unable to feed orally because they have a swallowing problem
  
• Children who are unable to feed orally because they have breathing difficulties that are compromising their feeding
  
• Children who are unable to maintain an optimal nutritional intake because they need a high calorie diet or supplementation of their nutritional intake.

Enteral feeding can be short or long term and the chosen route for enteral feeding will be determined by its duration. It is important that children, young people and their carers are involved in the decision to start enteral feeding and all the options are explained to them. The child should also have a complete physical and nutritional assessment undertaken before commencing enteral feeding. The involvement of the multidisciplinary team is important in managing enteral feeding, particularly if the child is going to be discharged home with enteral feeding in place.