...tube feeding ...

[motdaugrnds]

I'm having trouble with my large syringe that came with my tube-feeding kit. It is extremely hard to push and pull & the black tip on the inside tube is coming off. (Wasted milk and needed repair so as to use it...easy to do with a piece of wire; but what a hassle!)

Any ideas as to how to make this tube glide more easily?

[JBarGFarmKeeper]

Oil the black stopper and don't leave the pieces together after use/cleaning.

[Crazy Farmgirl]

A light coating of mineral oil. I find as the syringes get older the rubber starts to deteriorate. I would look into replacing it soon. For now the oil will help and don't wash with anything harsh. If you don't have mineral oil then use veggie oil.

If your tube come off them you should be able to replace just the syringe with a "catheter tip" syringe from the local farm supply store or your vets office should have them too.

[motdaugrnds]

Ok thanks a lot.

[Frosted Mini's]

You can usually just pour the liqiud into the syringe while it is attached to the tube and let gravity feed it in.

[motdaugrnds]

I've never been able to do that, probably because the one I'm tubing is more physically adept than her sucking reflex.

[mygoat]

I've never used the plunger. Always gravity, on the couple occasions I've used it.

When I need to lube up a feeding syringe (I have the plastic 20 and 50ml plastic syringes with the metal drench nozzle) I just stick my finger in some veggie oil and swirl it around the inside, then push the plunger up and down a few times.

[motdaugrnds]

Oh, I would be concerned about the kid's weak control of its swallowing in that the milk could get into its lungs instead of its stomach.

I'll use the oil and replace the rubber on what I have as I understand it and have had good luck with it in the past.

Thanks everyone for helping.

...update on weak kid...This morning, thougth I still had to place the nipple in her mouth, she DID SUCK and I could tell her sucking is nice and strong. Now to help her understand it is not the feeding tube!

[Frosted Mini's]

The tube is doing the job of the swallowing, so no need to worry about getting milk in the wrong place, and actually pushing the milk in is going to force it in faster than gravity would. I'm glad she is doing better for you!

[motdaugrnds]

Yes, I believe you are correct Frosted. My problem in only using gravity is holding that squirly little body while letting the milk flow. I'm doing this by myself....Oh, I'm getting a better picture of what is being said. The next time I have to tube a kid, I shall try the gravity.

[Frosted Mini's]

Oh, believe me, I completely understand...especially after having to tube a 3.5 week old spunky kid! Lots of restraint!