Gastrostomy Feeding Tube Care: Flushing

With gastrostomy tube feeding, you need to keep the tube from getting clogged. You do this by flushing it with warm water after each feeding and before and after giving any medicines.

There are different types of gastrostomy feeding tubes. One type has a connection that lets you plug or push the syringe into the feeding tube port. A newer type has a twist-on safety connector. The twist-on safety connector means you must use a specific type of syringe that twists onto your feeding tube port. Check with your care team to make sure you are following the steps for your specific type of gastrostomy tube. Ask for written gastrostomy tube instructions. Review the material with a care team member before you leave the hospital. Don't hesitate to ask questions and take notes. Have the information repeated as many times as needed until it's clear to you.

Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling the feeding tube.

Plug-in syringe and tube

Close-up of hands holding plug-in feeding bag syringe and plug-in feeding tube port.

Twist-on syringe and tube

Close-up of hands connecting twist-on syringe to port on feeding tube.

For continuous feeding

Flush the feeding tube with warm water and a clean the syringe before the first daily feeding, after the last daily feeding, and other times as instructed. Follow the steps below:

  1. Fill a clean bowl with warm water.

  2. Put the tip of the syringe in the water.

  3. Draw up 15 to 30 cc (mL) of water. Follow your provider's specific instructions. The exact amount of water to use will vary depending on your age, condition, and situation.

  4. Turn off the pump.

  5. Close the clamp on the feeding bag tubing.

  6. Remove the tubing from the port.

  7. Put the tip of the syringe in the feeding port.

    • Plug-in port. If you have a plug-in feeding tube port, push the tip of the syringe into the feeding tube port.

    • Twist-on port. If you have a twist-on feeding tube port, screw the syringe tip onto your feeding port.

  8. Push the plunger down.

  9. Let the water run through the feeding tube.

  10. Start the feeding or close the cap on the feeding port.

  11. Tape the tube to the skin with medical tape.

Plug-in syringe and tube

Close-up of hands holding syringe with tip in bowl of water, pulling plunger to draw water into syringe.

Close-up of hands holding plug-in syringe in feeding tube port, pressing plunger to flush water into feeding tube.

Twist-on syringe and tube

Close-up of hands drawing water into twist-on syringe from measuring cup.

Close-up of hands holding twist-on syringe in feeding tube port, pressing plunger to flush water into feeding tube.

For bolus feeding

You may be told to flush the feeding tube before and after each feeding, or just after feedings. Use a clean syringe and warm water. Follow the steps below:

  1. Fill a clean bowl with warm water.

  2. Put the tip of the syringe in the water.

  3. Draw up ____ cc (mL) of water. (Tap water is okay to use.) Follow your provider's specific instructions. The exact amount of water to use will vary depending on your age, condition, and situation.

  4. Open the cap on the feeding port.

  5. Put the tip of the syringe in the feeding port.

    • Plug-in port. If you have a plug-in type feeding tube port, push the tip of the syringe into the feeding tube port.

    • Twist-on port. If you have a twist-on feeding tube port, screw the syringe tip onto your feeding port.

  6. Push down on the plunger. Let the water run through the tube.

  7. Close the cap.

  8. Tape the tube to the skin with medical tape.