When a patient — pediatric or adult — needs nutritional support that bypasses the mouth, several different types of feeding tubes are available. The right tube for a given patient depends on how long the tube is needed, where in the digestive tract it should empty, the patient's anatomy, and how the patient or family will manage care at home.
This guide covers every feeding tube type used in modern home enteral nutrition: nasal tubes (NG, NJ), surgically placed gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes, including PEG and balloon button styles), jejunostomy tubes (J-tubes), and combination gastrojejunal tubes (GJ-tubes). For each type, we cover what it is, who needs it, how long it stays in, and what daily home care looks like.
According to the Oley Foundation — the leading nonprofit serving the home enteral and parenteral nutrition community — nearly half a million children and adults in the United States use a feeding tube. The variety of tube types reflects the variety of underlying medical needs they serve.
The first decision in tube selection is anatomic: where does the tube need to deliver nutrition?
Tubes that empty into the stomach — NG tubes and G-tubes (including PEG tubes) — work for patients with normal or near-normal stomach function.
The stomach handles bolus volumes, controls release into the intestines, and tolerates a wide range of formula types. Most patients who can tolerate gastric feeding are fed this way.
Tubes that empty into the small intestine — NJ tubes, J-tubes, and the jejunal port of GJ-tubes — bypass the stomach and deliver nutrition directly to the jejunum.
These are used when the stomach can't safely or effectively handle feedings, such as in severe reflux, gastroparesis, recurrent aspiration, post-surgical anatomy, or pancreatic disease.
Jejunal feeds must be continuous (slow drip), as the small intestine cannot safely handle bolus volumes.
Nasal tubes are typically chosen when feeding support is expected to be temporary — generally six weeks or less, though some pediatric patients may use fine-bore nasal tubes for longer.
A thin, flexible tube made of polyurethane or silicone, passed through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. It is commonly used for short-term feeding, as a bridge to surgical tube placement, or in pediatric cases where a non-surgical approach is preferred.
Similar in placement to an NG-tube, but extends beyond the stomach into the jejunum. It is used when short-term jejunal feeding is required, or when a patient is not a candidate for immediate surgical placement.
Nasal tubes are typically replaced by trained clinicians, though some pediatric programs train caregivers to replace fine-bore NG tubes at home in selected long-term cases.
When a feeding tube is needed for more than 4–6 weeks, placement through the abdominal wall into the stomach becomes the standard approach.
Placed using an endoscope passed through the mouth into the stomach, the PEG tube is inserted through the abdominal wall. It includes an internal bumper that secures it inside the stomach, an external disc resting on the skin, and a tube extending outside the body.
PEG is often the first long-term feeding tube because the procedure is quick, widely available, and commonly performed by gastroenterologists.
Placed through a surgical incision in the abdomen, using open, laparoscopic, or assisted techniques. This method is used when PEG placement is not feasible due to anatomical factors, prior surgeries, or inability to tolerate endoscopy.
A longer tube extends outside the body and is typically secured with an external bumper. Common in initial placements and widely used in adults.
A shorter device that sits flush against the skin. Feeding extensions are connected only during use, making it more discreet and easier to manage, especially for active patients.
A jejunostomy tube delivers nutrition directly into the jejunum, bypassing the stomach entirely. J-tubes are used when gastric feeding is not safe or effective.
A GJ-tube is a hybrid device with two separate ports — a gastric (G) port that opens into the stomach, and a jejunal (J) port that extends through the stomach into the jejunum.
Most generic tube comparison articles list features. What actually matters to families is how each tube changes daily life.
Long-tube PEGs can be awkward in the bath and often need to be taped to avoid catching. Low-profile buttons sit flush against the skin and are easier to manage. Swimming requires physician approval and waterproof protection for any abdominal tube.
Long-tube PEGs require clothing that accommodates the external tube. Low-profile buttons are discreet under regular clothing, which can significantly impact confidence and comfort.
Low-profile buttons support active movement and play. Long-tube styles are more prone to catching, pulling, or dislodgement during activity or sleep.
Button tubes allow patients to disconnect extensions when not feeding, making the tube nearly invisible. Long-tube styles remain visible at all times.
Daily care varies by tube type. Buttons generally require less maintenance once healed. Long-tube PEGs need more securement, while NG tubes involve frequent replacement and monitoring.
Button tubes require replacement every 3–6 months (typically covered with authorization). PEG tubes last longer but need clinic replacement. NG tubes are inexpensive but require repeated replacement effort.
| Tube Type | Where It Empties | Typical Use Length | Placement Method | Caregiver-Replaceable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NG (Nasogastric) | Stomach | Days to ~6 weeks | Bedside (clinical staff) | Selected pediatric cases with training |
| NJ (Nasojejunal) | Jejunum (small intestine) | Short-term, weeks | Bedside under fluoroscopy | No |
| PEG (long tube) | Stomach | 1–2+ years | Endoscopic (GI team) | No — clinic only |
| Surgical G-tube (long tube) | Stomach | 1–2+ years | OR / surgical | No — clinic only |
| Low-profile balloon button (MIC-KEY, AMT Mini ONE) | Stomach | 3–6 months per device | Replaced from existing PEG/G site | Yes, with training, mature stoma |
| GJ-tube (gastrojejunal) | Stomach + jejunum (dual port) | 3–4 months per device | Interventional radiology | No |
| J-tube (jejunostomy) | Jejunum | Long-term | Surgical or endoscopic | No |
Anticipated duration of need (days, weeks, months, years)
GI function (does the stomach work? Is reflux severe? Does the patient aspirate?)
Patient anatomy (any surgical history affecting placement options)
Underlying disease and prognosis
Family caregiver capacity
Insurance coverage and DME availability
Patient/family preferences (where appropriate)
Two measurements describe every tube:
French (Fr) size — the outer diameter of the tube. Common sizes: 12 Fr, 14 Fr, 16 Fr, 18 Fr, 20 Fr, 22 Fr, 24 Fr. Larger French = larger inner diameter = less clog risk. Smaller French = more comfortable but more clog-prone.
Length — for low-profile buttons, the distance between the abdominal wall and the inside of the stomach. Common lengths: 0.8 cm, 1.0 cm, 1.2 cm, 1.5 cm, 1.7 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, 3.0 cm, 3.5 cm, 4.0 cm. The right length depends on the patient's abdominal wall thickness — a stoma length measuring tool is used at first replacement to confirm correct sizing.
Cost and Insurance Coverage
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary feeding tubes and supplies under DME benefits for qualifying patients (permanent functional impairment of the GI tract)
Florida Medicaid MMA plans cover tubes and supplies under DME with prior authorization
Private insurance varies — confirm DME benefit, deductible, and any specific brand or supplier requirements
Self-pay reference cost: a low-profile balloon button typically runs $150–$300+ per unit. Insurance authorization is critical for sustainable home enteral nutrition
Q: What's the difference between a PEG tube and a G-tube?
A: PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) refers to the placement procedure — the tube goes in via endoscope. G-tube (gastrostomy tube) is the broader category for any tube that goes through the abdominal wall into the stomach. A PEG tube is a type of G-tube. Many G-tubes are placed surgically rather than endoscopically — those aren't PEG tubes specifically, but they are G-tubes.
Q: What's a MIC-KEY button?
A: MIC-KEY is the most widely used brand of low-profile balloon gastrostomy button. It sits flush with the skin, has a small water-filled balloon inside the stomach to hold it in place, and connects to a removable extension set when feeds or medications are given. AMT Mini ONE is a similar competing brand.
Q: Why is my child's feeding tube called both a button and a G-tube?
A: A "button" describes the low-profile, skin-level shape of the device. "G-tube" describes its function and placement (gastrostomy — opening into the stomach). A low-profile balloon button is one type of G-tube. Both terms refer to the same device for most pediatric patients.
Q: Can a feeding tube be removed once it's not needed anymore?
A: Yes. When a patient no longer needs tube feeding, the tube is removed and the stoma typically closes on its own within days to weeks. For long-established stomas (years), surgical closure is sometimes needed. Most short- to medium-term tube users (months to a few years) experience spontaneous stoma closure.
Q: Is a J-tube better than a G-tube?
A: Neither is "better" — they serve different needs. G-tubes feed the stomach; J-tubes bypass the stomach to feed directly into the jejunum. A G-tube is the right choice when stomach function is intact. A J-tube is indicated when stomach feeding isn't safe or effective due to severe reflux, gastroparesis, or recurrent aspiration.
Q: How often does a feeding tube need to be replaced?
A: Depends on tube type. Low-profile balloon buttons: every 3–6 months. PEG tubes: every 1–2 years (clinic-based). NG tubes: every 4–6 weeks. GJ-tubes: every 3–4 months in interventional radiology. J-tubes: variable, typically annually or as needed. See our companion guide on feeding tube replacement at home .
Q: My child's tube has multiple ports — what are they for?
A: For a GJ-tube: jejunal port (J) for feeds and medications into the small intestine, gastric port (G) for stomach venting or gastric medications, and balloon port (BAL) for the internal water balloon. For a single-port G-tube button: just the feeding port and the balloon port.
Q: Can I shower with a feeding tube?
A: Yes — most patients with mature stomas can shower normally. Bathing in a tub is also generally fine. Swimming requires physician approval and typically waterproof barrier dressings. Avoid direct strong water pressure on the stoma.
Q: What if my feeding tube gets clogged?
A: Try a warm water flush first (30 mL, slow gentle pressure). If it doesn't clear, follow your physician's order for an enzymatic declogger (typically pancreatic enzyme + sodium bicarbonate, prescribed for this purpose). Never force fluid through a clogged tube — pressure can damage the tube or stoma.
