Changing a J Feeding Tube and how we secure it

Recently I was asked about how I change William's j tube and then a post on a facebook group asked the same. It seemed like maybe it could help to share and maybe some might be interested in this part of our life. Every month at a minimum we change his feeding tube as he gets frequent intussusception and changing the tube at the beginning of the month seems to help him avoid this. (Disclaimer - I am NOT a doctor, I am a medical mom showing how I do this for my child! The aim here is to share information, and this is just what works for us.)

What is it like to change my son's feeding tube? Honestly, you get used to it and it really is slightly empowering to know this is something I can do to help my son. One of the greatest compliments was when a tubie mom friend called me first when her daughter pulled out her g-tube and asked for advice. I was able to help Mom get a foley in to keep the stoma open on the way to have it replaced, and it felt so good to be able to do something to help. The first few times though - I was scared. I didn't want to do anything wrong. I didn't want anyone but me to do it since I had been trained, and then slowly I got comfortable and began to train his main caregivers. Now I have replacement kits in our van, by his crib and in our living room because our spastic quadriplegic is amazingly good at working that magic bandage off, pulling out his tube and hiding it - cheeky little monkey has even learned how then to pull his shirt down so we don't know what he has done! Love it!!!

The video is a horrible angle and I am now even more determined to continue on my weight freedom journey - but I stuck to my guns and published the two videos today on our new youtube channel. Oh how techy we are becoming. Feel free to check it out here if you are interested.

The photos below show you his belly without the bandage and tube, and then the bottom photo shows a completed replaced tube. I normally do not put that final piece of rubber tape on top but he was trying to grab the tube, so the tape seemed to add a bit of a barrier.

If you are a tubie parent and would like to see a list of what I keep in my replacement kit, or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask!