New start-up puts a fun spin on tube feeding

A mum whose son needs to feed via a tube has developed an innovative product to help make the process easier.

A brain injury prior to birth left Matthew Calcraft with complex medical needs, including an uncoordinated swallow.

After taking Matthew to hospital, mum Jenni was disappointed to find that her son was fitted with a functional but bulky feed bag that was so heavy he fell backwards as soon as he put it on.

Seeing the bag inspired Jenni, a physiotherapist, to create her own tube feeding bag, which resulted in creation of the start-up, TubieeGo.

“The hospital kit just wasn’t right for Matthew. As a physio I know how important it is for a child’s physical development for them to be able to walk, run and play freely. When Matthew fell over, I felt he was being more disabled by the bag than he was being fed through his nose. It was heart-breaking to watch so I did my research, bought a regular rucksack-type bag, sewing kit and medical tape, and created the first TubieeGo prototype. Crucially it worked and all of a sudden Matthew could be a toddler again. Now each morning he has the choice of a dinosaur, giraffe or rocket bag.” Jenni said.

To help her develop the idea, Jenni asked her friend Mim Oldershaw for help. A school nurse with a passion for textiles, Mim jumped at the chance to help.

TubieeGo can help turn a regular bag into a tube-fed bag with a perspex insert that supports the feed container. The product means that people can have feeding bags which are practical, fun and completely individual.

There are currently  around 14,000 children and 36,000 adults being tube-fed in the UK.

Jenni says: “We know there is a need, which has been a huge boost. Just because someone has a disability it doesn’t mean they don’t want choice. It’s about inclusivity. With TubieeGo toddlers and teens can feed from bags that reflect their personalities, but so too can businessmen and women who might appreciate access to high street options. We can change any bag on the market into a tube feeding bag.”

Jenni recently entered TubieGo into Voom 2018, a pitch competition taking place in the UK and Ireland.

Jenni says: “It’s been a steep learning curve for both of us. I have personal experience of feeding bags, and as a nurse Mim has professional experience. We aren’t business women so we’ve had to learn every step of the way.”