How to hold a baby or child when putting in an NG tube

These drawings show how to hold babies or children while putting in an NG tube. It can help to have 2 adults. One adult holds the baby or child, and the other adult puts in the tube.

(A) For babies or young children, you can wrap them snugly in a blanket with their arms at their side. Lay them on their back. It can help to give them a pacifier to suck on.

(B) For children, have them sit on an adult's lap. The adult can place 1 arm around the child to help keep their arms at their side. The adult can gently place a hand on top of the child's head to help keep them in the right position. It can help to give the child water to sip through a straw while the tube is being put in.