How to Get Off a Feeding Tube and Use Chewing Muscles

Feeding tubes, also known as PEG tubes or G-tubes, assist with nutritional support. Usually placed in the stomach, feeding tubes provide a way for nutrition to enter the body. An individual must be capable of eating in order to remove a feeding tube. Encouraging a person to eat by mouth will help wean him/her off a feeding tube. An individual must pass a swallow evaluation to assure he/she is capable of swallowing food prior to weaning off a feeding tube.

Instructions

• 1

  Develop the weakened chewing muscles by chewing gum to exercise and strengthen the muscles used for chewing. Chewing gum can help an individual practice chewing without the pressure of consuming food.

• 2

  Increase the person’s appetite by decreasing the amount of tube feeding. When the stomach is full from tube feeding, the person may be less likely to eat by mouth. When the stomach is empty and he feels hungry, it is easier for him to eat. Bolus feedings can give the stomach the opportunity to empty (in between feedings) which can result in an increased appetite. A bolus feeding is a set amount of tube feeding (equivalent to a meal) given usually at specific times during the day.

• 3

  Offer pleasure foods at first. He may be more tempted to eat when given his favorite foods. Give him small amounts of the food of his choice and encourage him to eat as much as he wants. Offer him small sips of fluid in between bites. Make sure he completely swallows the food before offering another bite.

• 4

  Decrease the amount of nutrition received through the feeding tube. Divide tube feedings into bolus feedings and continuous feeding at night. Give bolus feedings several times during the day. Decrease tube feeding amounts as calorie intake by mouth increases.