Home Tube Feeding Supplies Checklist: Everything You Need to Get Started
Managing tube feeding at home can feel overwhelming at first, but having the right supplies and knowledge can make daily care much smoother and safer. Whether you’re a tube yourself, a caregiver, or a home health provider, this home tube feeding supplies checklist is designed to help you stay organized and prepared.
As a registered dietitian providing home care and nutrition counseling, I often help families set up their home tube feeding stations. This list covers the essential supplies, backup items, and organizational tips you’ll need to confidently manage tube feeding at home. NONE of the linked items are sponsored!
Essential Home Tube Feeding Supplies
These are the core items you’ll use daily for tube feeding at home, beyond your feeding tube and extension sets. The exact list may vary depending on your feeding method (bolus, gravity, or pump) and the type of tube (G-tube, J-tube).
1. Feeding Syringes
There are many sizes of strings, but 60 mL syringes are best for bolus feeds and flushing. Most DME companies will send you syringes with rubber gaskets, which are designed for one-time use. They quickly get difficult to use, with the plunger becoming hard to push down. The reality is that reusable syringes with silicone gaskets are always better and easier to use, so request these or you can purchase them yourself online.
Smaller syringes (e.g., 10 mL) for medications
Replace regularly to avoid wear and bacterial buildup
2. Feeding Pump, Bags & Accessories
Enteral feeding pump AND the manual! Make sure you have the manual so you know how to adjust the pump settings - if you don’t have a paper copy, they can be found with a quick google search. It’s also important to know if you have a single or dual chamber pump because this affects how you need to administer water flushes.
Pump-compatible feeding bags
Extension sets. For those with a low profile “button” gastrostomy tube, they need an extension set to connect to their button gastrostomy tube to the appropriate feeding method. Extension sets differ in length and in number of ports (ex. 1 to 3 ports for feeding, water, and/or medications). Extension sets can also come as right-angle connectors or straight connectors. If possible I prefer right-angle connectors for more ease.
IV pole or hook for bag placement. We also love the FreeArm Tube Feeding Assistant which is colorful, portable, and clamps to surfaces. It can help feeding to feel less “medical”.
3. Gravity Bags (if not using a pump)
For drip or gravity feeding, use either 500 mL or 1 L bags.
Useful to have as a backup if the pump malfunctions or you lose electricity at home.
4. Formula or Blended Diet
Commercial enteral formula (stored according to manufacturer guidelines).
Blended/homemade formula if recommended by your dietitian. If blending your own formula you’ll need a refrigerator, high-speed blender like Vitamix or Blendtec, nonporous containers for storage such as mason jars, and a mesh strainer to remove pieces of food that may clog the tube.
Even if you’re on homemade formula, we recommend having some backup commercial formula on-hand for no-prep options. We liken this “fast food” - there are some days we all don’t feel like cooking! Even if you prefer a whole foods option and that’s why you’re making your own blenderized formula, we can still find you whole food commercial options.
5. Flushing Supplies
Clean water for flushing before and after feeds.
Designated flushing syringes (separate from medication syringes).
Digestive enzymes as prescribed by your primary care provider in case of clogged tube. Do NOT use “home remedies” like carbonated beverages or cranberry juice! Most often you can just use warm water but sometimes you will be prescribed enzymes to keep on hand.
6. Other Helpful Supplies
Clean storage bins to keep supplies organized.
Emergency phone numbers on hand for your home care dietitian, DME company, nurse, and primary care provider if problems arise.
Silicone chew straws. Chewing, even for people who don’t eat food orally, helps to stimulate the digestive process. Some research even points towards protection against cognitive impairement and neurodegenerative disease to due increased cerebral blood flow from chewing.
Tube covers. To help devices be less “medical” looking for improved confidence and emotional wellbeing. They can also help soak up leaks.
Michigan Tube Feeding Dietitians
Managing tube feeding at home is a team effort. A registered dietitian can help you:
Make sure your formula meets your nutrition needs
Troubleshoot common issues like digestive intolerances, malnutrition, diabetes, and wounds
Adjust your feeding regimen for your preferences and lifestyle
Coordinate with your home health team and suppliers
If you live in Metro Detroit and are looking for nutrition counseling or support for home enteral feeding, we can help! We also provide virtual consultations for most states. Call us at 734-626-5522 to book your first appointment or click here to learn more about home care dietitian services.
