Care & recovery · Tubes
NG (Nasogastric) Tube Care
Going home with a nasogastric (NG) tube can feel daunting at first, but the daily routine is straightforward once you've done it a few times. Here's how to keep it working safely.
What it is
An NG tube is a soft, thin tube that passes in through one nostril, down the food pipe (oesophagus) and into the stomach. The end taped to your cheek or nose is the part you'll use for feeds, water and medicines.
Why you have it
It's used when someone can't eat or swallow enough by mouth — to give liquid feed, fluids and medicines straight into the stomach. Sometimes it's used the other way around, to drain fluid and air and rest the stomach after surgery.
Day-to-day care
- Keep it secured. Make sure the tape on your nose or cheek is stuck down well. If it's peeling, replace it with fresh tape so the tube can't slide in or out. Note the marking on the tube where it meets your nostril — it should stay the same.
- Wash your hands before touching the tube or handling feeds and medicines.
- Check the position before every feed if your team has shown you how — usually by drawing back a little fluid and testing it on a pH strip. Never give a feed if you're unsure the tube is in the right place.
- Sit upright — at least 45 degrees, in a chair or propped up in bed — during a feed and for 30–60 minutes afterwards. This lowers the chance of feed coming back up.
- Flush the tube with the amount of cooled boiled or fresh water your team advised — before and after every feed, and after medicines — to stop it blocking.
- Give medicines as shown. Use liquid forms where possible and flush between each one. Don't crush tablets unless your pharmacist has confirmed it's safe through the tube.
- Look after the nostril and mouth. Clean around the nostril daily and keep the skin dry. Brush teeth and keep lips moist even if you're not eating — a clean, fresh mouth still matters.
- Keep feeds at room temperature and use them within the time your dietitian advised once a pack is opened.
- If the tube blocks, try a gentle flush with warm water — never force it with a small syringe, which builds high pressure and can split the tube.
When to call your team
- You cough, choke, gag or become breathless when a feed or flush starts — stop straight away; the tube may have moved.
- The tube falls out, slides out further, or the marking at your nostril has clearly changed.
- The tube is blocked and won't flush after a gentle attempt with warm water.
- Repeated vomiting, a swollen or painful tummy, or no bowel movements.
- Blood in the tube, or the nostril becomes very sore, raw or looks infected.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still eat and drink with an NG tube in?
Only if your team has said it's safe. Some people are allowed sips or tastes; others must take nothing by mouth. Always check, because swallowing difficulty is often the very reason the tube is there.
What if the tube comes out?
Don't try to push it back in yourself. Keep the tube and contact your nutrition team or ward — they'll arrange to replace it and confirm the position before it's used again.
Why does the tube need flushing so often?
Feed and medicines are thick and dry out inside the narrow tube, so it blocks easily. Regular water flushes before and after everything keep it clear and save you a trip back to hospital.
Is it normal for my nose to feel sore?
Mild irritation is common. Keeping the skin clean and dry, and re-taping so the tube isn't dragging on one spot, usually helps. Tell your team if it becomes raw, bleeds, or looks infected.