Living Well With Tube Feeding

We’re Here To Help!

How we at Complete Dietetics Can Support You or Your Child with Tube Feeding

At Complete Dietetics, we know that tube feeding is never a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you, your child or someone you care for has just started tube feeding or have been managing it for some time, it can often feel overwhelming. That’s why our specialist dietitians focus on providing compassionate, personalised support tailored to each individual’s unique needs—whether infant, child, or adult.

We especially love guiding families through the often-daunting transition from hospital to home, offering hands-on education, practical strategies, and ongoing reassurance. We’re here to provide the guidance and reassurance you need to navigate tube feeding with greater ease and confidence every day.

What is tube feeding?

If you or someone you care for has just been introduced to the idea of tube feeding, it can feel like a lot to take in. Or perhaps tube feeding is not new to you but you’re feeling unsupported or feel like the feeding process could be improved to meet individual health goals. Tube feeding can be an incredibly positive step toward better health and quality of life, and an appropriately tailor dietary plan is essential to achieve this.

Put simply, tube feeding, also known as enteral nutrition, is a method of delivering nutrition directly into the digestive system when an individual is unable to eat or drink enough to meet their nutritional needs. This can be short-term support for individuals recovering from illness or injury, or long-term support for those living with chronic health conditions or disabilities.

Case study: A Child’s Experience with Tube Feeding

We’ve worked with parents of a young girl who experienced oral aversion. Tube feeding was suggested by her care team to ensure she receives the nutrition and hydration she needs while we work with her and her family to gently expand her food acceptance with the ultimate goal of transitioning toward regular oral eating when she is ready.

Case study: An Adult’s Experience with Tube Feeding

We worked closely with a man recovering from a stroke who had difficulty swallowing safely. Tube feeding was recommended by his medical team to ensure he received adequate nutrition during recovery. Together with his family, we supported him in maintaining his nutritional status and guided his caregivers in managing the feeding process, while developing a gradual plan to transition back to being completely orally fed when he was safe to do so, ready and able.

At Complete Dietetics, we’ve seen first-hand how tube feeding helps people not just survive—but truly thrive. Whether it’s supporting a child’s growth, aiding in recovery from illness, or helping manage a lifelong condition, tube feeding can be life-changing. And we’re here to support every step of the journey.

Why Someone May Need Tube Feeding

There are many reasons someone might require a feeding tube:

  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

  • Feeding or growth challenges in children

  • Chronic illness or neurological disorders

  • Recovery from surgery or cancer treatment

  • Inability to maintain adequate weight or nutrition through oral intake alone

Some individuals rely entirely on tube feeds, while others continue to eat by mouth with added nutritional support via a tube.

Different Types of Feeding Tubes

The type of feeding tube used depends on the individual’s medical needs and the expected duration of feeding. Common types include:

  • Nasogastric tube (NG tube): Inserted through the nose into the stomach

  • Nasojejunal tube (NJ tube): Through the nose into the small intestine

  • Gastrostomy tube (G-tube/PEG): Surgically placed through the abdomen into the stomach

  • Jejunostomy tube (J-tube/PEJ): Surgically inserted into the small intestine

  • Gastro-Jejunostomy tube (GJ-tube): A longer tube that reaches the small intestine

NDIS support

Thanks to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), more Australians can now receive essential support for tube feeding at home, leading to fewer hospital visits, greater independence, and an improved quality of life.

At Complete Dietetics, we proudly partner with self managed and plan managed NDIS participants and their families, providing personalised dietetic care tailored to individual tube feeding needs. Our dedicated team ensures you receive the right support to manage tube feeding safely and confidently in your own home.

Don’t live close to our clinic? We manage NDIS participants with tube feeds across Australia via our telehealth platform! We regularly conduct consultations and staff training (ie tube feeding education sessions for support workers) via telehealth, which allows you to access our expertise from wherever you are located!

How we approach Tube Feeding

Our team carefully assesses each person’s unique nutritional needs to help select the most appropriate commercial formula or, when preferred, support the development of safe and nutritionally balanced blended food plans, often known as blenderised tube feeding - or, a combination of both! We regularly check how well the feeding plan is working and make changes as needed to ensure you, or someone you care for, is getting the right nutrition for good health.

Digestive comfort is also a priority. Our dietitians provide expert guidance to manage common bowel issues and improve overall well-being. For those who may be ready to move toward oral feeding, working alongside your team we develop gradual, supportive transition plans tailored to their readiness and health status.

Throughout the entire process, we work collaboratively with your wider healthcare team including GPs, specialists, hospital staff, equipment providers, and other allied health staff (ie Speech Pathologists) to ensure you receive holistic, coordinated care that supports your overall health and lifestyle.

Our Expert Team

Emma Gore, our Founder and Director, who holds advanced credentials in gastrostomy tube management and has over a decade of experience supporting individuals with complex nutritional needs. Darcy Jongebloed who is an experienced dietitian and specialised in all types of tube feeding. Sammy Baring, our paediatric dietitian, works closely with families navigating feeding difficulties, tube dependency, and transitioning to oral intake. Together, they offer not only clinical expertise but also the understanding and reassurance needed to help clients and families thrive with tube feeding.

You Can Thrive on Tube Feeding

Tube feeding isn’t just about nutrition—it’s about giving people the energy, growth, and strength to live well. Whether it's a child growing stronger, an adult managing a condition, or a family adjusting to new routines, we’re here to help you thrive—not just cope.

If you’re looking for support, guidance, or just someone to talk to, reach out to us at Complete Dietetics. We’re here to help you find what works best for your body, your goals, and your life.

Emma Gore - Complete Dietetics
Sammy Baring - Complete Dietetics

Frequently asked questions about Tube Feeding

  • Tube feeding, or enteral nutrition, is a method of delivering food and fluids directly into the stomach or small intestine through a feeding tube. It’s needed when someone cannot eat enough (or at all) by mouth due to conditions like swallowing difficulties, chronic illness, surgery recovery, or neurological disorders.

  • Blenderised tube feeding involves using pureed whole foods blended into a smooth consistency as a tube feeding formula. It can be a safe, nutritious alternative to commercial formulas, often preferred by those seeking more natural feeding options.

  • Tube feeding delivers specially prepared nutrition directly (or blenderised food) into the stomach or small intestine through a thin, flexible tube. This bypasses the need to chew and swallow, ensuring the body gets essential nutrients, fluids, and calories needed for health and healing.

  • The type and placement of a feeding tube depend on medical needs. Nasogastric (NG) tubes are inserted through the nose into the stomach and used short-term. Gastrostomy (G-tubes) and jejunostomy (J-tubes) are surgically placed directly into the stomach or small intestine for long-term feeding.

  • The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers funding and support services for eligible participants who require tube feeding at home. This includes dietetic assessments, feeding equipment, training for carers, and ongoing support to improve independence and quality of life.

  • Eligibility for NDIS support depends on having a permanent and significant disability affecting daily living, including feeding needs. Working with your NDIS planner or support coordinator can help determine eligibility and develop a personalised support plan.

  • Yes. With proper training, education, and support from dietitians and healthcare professionals, many people successfully manage tube feeding at home, improving comfort and reducing hospital visits.

  • The best feeding tube varies by individual health status and feeding duration. Short-term needs often use nasogastric tubes, while long-term feeding typically requires surgically placed gastrostomy or jejunostomy tubes. Your healthcare team and dietitian will recommend the most appropriate type for your situation.

  • While tube feeding is generally safe, potential risks include tube blockages, infections, digestive issues, or discomfort. We work closely with you to help minimise risks and address any problems promptly.

FAQs - Complete Dietetics

  • At Complete Dietetics, our Accredited Practising Dietitians specialise in six core areas of nutrition. See our full list of services here and find the area that best fits your needs.

  • You do not need a GP referral to book with us. During registration, we’ll ask for details of any doctors or specialists involved in your care so we can coordinate with your healthcare team (with your permission). For your first appointment, please bring or forward any relevant information, such as past medical history, test/scans results, current medications.

  • Yes. Our Accredited Practising Dietitians provide secure telehealth dietitian consultations via video across all Australian states and territories. Enjoy the same personalised, evidence-based care from the comfort of your home—no referral needed.

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  • Our home clinic is at 85 McKillop Street, Geelong VIC 3220. We’re open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm (with after-hours appointments available by request)