When tube feeding becomes more familiar you might begin to look for ways to optimise your child's tube feeding routine. Based on their mobility, social or working life, or daily activities, you might want to have more flexibility to structure your day in the way that better works for both yours and their lifestyle. 

Be sure to talk to your dietitian or doctor before changing your child's feeding routine. Remember, they can help you find the routine that best fits into your life and that of your child.

There are many choices for optimising your child's tube feeding routine:

• Continuous feeding is given slowly via the pump and requires a longer time per feed. Some parents may find this difficult to work around. To help you get on with your day, a backpack can be provided. This allows you to go outside with your child while feeding and continue your activities. Another choice may be overnight feeding. This can be done either partly or for the total daily requirements of your child. This can give you and your child more flexibility during the day
• Bolus feeding gives the flexibility to give smaller volumes of feed throughout the day, which takes less time. This can make it easier for you to feed your child out of the house. It can also give you the opportunity to plan your child's feeds with family meal times. This can be important to make them feel included
• A combination of both may better meet the needs of your child or fit into the structure of your day.

Read more about administration and schedules.