Some children may need to take several medications a day, while others might just need them once in a while when they fall ill. You'll be shown how to give your child medications through his or her tube before leaving the hospital, but rest assured the procedure is quite simple.

You will need a syringe, your child's prescribed medications and sterile or cooled boiled water. Your child's feeding tube has been designed to take liquids only, so whenever possible you should request the medication in liquid or soluble form from the pharmacist. Crushing tablets is a last resort as it greatly increases the risk of tube blockage. Not all medications can be crushed and you should be given advice by your pharmacist on which medications are suitable to be crushed.

1. Before giving medications, wash your hands. 
2. A 50ml syringe should be used to administer medication through your child's feeding tube.
3. When you have confirmed that your child's tube is correctly positioned if required (you'll be shown in hospital), flush the tube with the amount of sterile or cooled boiled water advised by your dietitian before administering the medication. If several drugs are being taken, a flush of 5-10ml should be given between each medication.
4. Each medication should be given separately.
5. Soluble drugs should be diluted with sterile or cooled boiled water as directed by your dietitian or pharmacist.
6. Thick liquids should be diluted with water. Your pharmacist will advise on how much water is needed.
7. Crushed tablets should be diluted with sterile or cooled boiled water as directed by your dietitian or pharmacist.
8. The tube should be flushed with sterile or cooled boiled water, as directed by your dietitian.