In relation to the baby who had an NG tube in its mouth. I personally have
reservation about passing an NG tube orally to feed a prem. It is something
I have researched and there appears to have been no studies done, in the
midwifery or medical literature.

Babies are tubed orally because of the assumption that because the are
obligate nose breathers, the mouth is the better route.

Here is my contention. Tubing an infant via its mouth is a negative oral
stimulus. Every time you pass that tube you also elicit the gag reflex and
they are more inclined to vomit and could aspirate. Oral tubes mean repeated
tube passes which is not only more stressful and unpleasant for the babe but
for the parents too. ( yes parents should be allowed full ascess to their
babies) Statistically the more times you pass a tube on a baby the more you
expose them to the risk of operator fault and aspiration.

I have worked in NICU's where naso-gastric tubing is the norm and the tube
is changed after every 48hr.There were no problems with infection or
respiratory difficulty as a result of the tube placement. It is more cost
effective too (also for the parents if they are paying the bills) And the
babies breathe just fine. Also means that as they start to grow they can be
put to breast and topped up with a tube (in situ via nose) very easily.

Does anyone have any research info that they can add to this from either
perspective.

One of my women delivered a little 31 week baby on friday and when I spoke
to her this morning they were using oral tubes. Just imagine have an oral
tube passed down your own throat every 3 hrs for maybe the next 3 weeks = 56
oral tubes!

Regards

Mandy O'Reilly RN RM

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