A 5 french feeding tube is a small sized gavage tube (there is one
smaller, a 3 french, I think) used as an orogastric or nasogastric
feeding tube in preterm infants.  It is thicker and more durable than an
sns tube, can be slipped into the baby's mouth after they are latched,
but is more noticable.  Dr. Jack Newman sticks one in a bottle (through
an enlarged nipple hole) to make an inexpensive lactation aid, and one
can put one on the end of a large syringe if a feeder-controlled bolus
size is needed.  I use both methods quite frequently.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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