What is gravity feeding? A Guide to Nutrition Through Enteral Therapy

October 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, gravity feeding uses a bag and gravity to deliver liquid formula into a feeding tube, offering a simple and affordable enteral nutrition solution. This method is a crucial aspect of nutrition care for individuals who cannot meet their nutritional needs through oral intake alone due to various medical conditions.

Quick Summary

Gravity feeding is a method of delivering liquid nutrition directly into a feeding tube using the force of gravity rather than a pump. The rate is controlled by adjusting the height of the feeding bag or using a roller clamp on the tubing. It is a cost-effective and simple method often used for intermittent bolus feeds in patients with a gastrostomy tube.

Key Points

No Pump Required: Gravity feeding uses the force of gravity, not a mechanical pump, to deliver liquid nutrition through a feeding tube.
Cost-Effective and Simple: This method is generally more affordable than pump-assisted feeding and relies on a straightforward mechanism.
Manual Flow Control: The feeding rate is controlled by adjusting the height of the feeding bag and using a roller clamp on the tubing.
Ideal for Bolus Feeds: Gravity feeding is often used for intermittent bolus feeds, which mimic a normal meal schedule for patients with gastric tubes.
Patient Positioning is Critical: To prevent aspiration, patients must be in an upright or semi-reclined position (30-45 degrees) during and after feeding.

Understanding the Basics of Gravity Feeding

Gravity feeding is a simple, non-mechanical method of enteral nutrition where liquid formula flows from an elevated bag, through tubing, and into a patient's feeding tube. It relies on gravity, and the flow rate can be controlled manually by adjusting the bag's height or using a roller clamp. This method is valuable for patients unable to chew or swallow effectively due to conditions like neurological disorders, head and neck cancers, or gastrointestinal issues.

How Does the Gravity Method Work?

Performing gravity feeding involves gathering equipment like a gravity feeding bag, formula, and a syringe. Preparation includes washing hands, ensuring clean equipment, and using room-temperature formula. Proper patient positioning, typically upright or semi-reclined (30-45 degrees elevated), is crucial to reduce aspiration risk. The tubing is primed to remove air before connecting and starting the feed. The flow rate is controlled with bag height and a roller clamp. After feeding, the tube is flushed to prevent clogs. For more detailed steps, refer to {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition}.

Types of Gravity Feeding

Gravity feeding can be adapted based on patient needs, including Bolus Feeding, Intermittent Feeding, and less commonly, Continuous Feeding. For more information on these types, see {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition}.

Comparison: Gravity vs. Pump Feeding

The choice between gravity and pump feeding depends on the patient's condition, mobility, and feeding rate needs. For a comprehensive comparison, including features like mechanism, cost, flow rate control, accuracy, mobility, patient suitability, and caregiver involvement, refer to {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition}.

Benefits and Considerations of Gravity Feeding

Gravity feeding offers several benefits:

Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness: It is straightforward and economical, requiring fewer components than pump feeding.
Mimics Natural Eating: Bolus gravity feeding can simulate meal times, which may be psychologically beneficial and aid in transitioning to oral intake.
Reliability: It is not dependent on electricity, eliminating the risk of mechanical failure or power outages.
Patient Autonomy: Independent patients can learn to manage their own gravity feeds, increasing their sense of control.

Potential drawbacks include the need for careful monitoring to avoid a too-fast flow rate, which can cause gastrointestinal distress. The flow rate can also be inconsistent, requiring manual adjustments. Aspiration is a significant risk if the patient is not correctly positioned during and after feeding.

Conclusion

What is gravity feeding? It is a simple and effective enteral nutrition method using gravity for formula delivery. Though less precise than pump feeding, its affordability, reliability, and ease of use make it suitable for many patients, especially for intermittent or bolus feeds into the stomach. With proper training, caregivers and patients can safely administer feeds at home. The choice of feeding method should be made with healthcare providers and a dietitian to ensure individual needs are met safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For answers to frequently asked questions about gravity feeding, including primary advantages, flow rate control, bolus feeding definition, suitability for continuous feeding, main risks, suitability for different feeding tubes, correct positioning, and recommended replacement frequency for feeding bags and tubing, please see {Link: Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21098-tube-feeding--enteral-nutrition}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gravity feeding is more cost-effective and does not require electricity or a pump, making it a reliable and simple option, especially in home care settings.

The flow rate can be controlled by adjusting the height of the feeding bag (higher for faster flow, lower for slower) and by using the roller clamp on the tubing to regulate the drip.

A bolus gravity feed is an intermittent feeding method where a larger volume of formula is delivered over a shorter, timed period, typically mimicking a regular mealtime schedule.

While technically possible, pump feeding is generally preferred for continuous, longer-duration feeding due to its higher accuracy and consistent flow rate. Gravity feeding can have inconsistent drip rates, making it less suitable for critical, continuous infusion.

The main risks include aspiration (formula entering the lungs) if the patient is not properly positioned, and gastrointestinal issues like cramping or diarrhea if the feeding rate is too fast. Careful monitoring is essential to mitigate these risks.

Gravity feeding is best suited for gastric tubes (G-tubes) that feed directly into the stomach, which can handle larger volumes. Tubes that go into the small intestine usually require a pump for a slower, more controlled rate to prevent complications.

The patient should be in an upright or semi-reclined position with their head and shoulders elevated at a 30-45 degree angle during the feeding and for at least 30-60 minutes afterward to reduce aspiration risk.

For optimal hygiene and safety, the feeding bag and tubing should typically be replaced every 24 hours, as recommended by healthcare providers and manufacturers.