PEG vs G-Tube: A Parent’s Guide
The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
When your child needs help getting nutrition through a feeding tube, the world can feel upside down. You’re probably juggling emotions, medical jargon, and decisions you never expected to face. Maybe you’re Googling at midnight, scrolling through support groups, or trying to translate a surgeon’s rushed explanation into something that makes sense. Somewhere in all of this, a question keeps popping up: PEG or G-tube? What’s the difference—and does it really matter for my child?
And the short answer is yes, it matters. But not in the overwhelming way it might seem right now. Knowing the difference can help you feel more confident about your child’s care and advocate for choices that match their needs—not just the hospital’s routine. Let’s walk through it together, parent to parent.
What Are PEG and G-Tubes?
Both PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) tubes and G-tubes (Gastrostomy tubes) are ways to deliver food directly into the stomach. They’re used when a child can’t eat enough by mouth for medical, developmental, or neurological reasons. You’ll often hear people use the terms interchangeably, and while they do the same job, how they’re placed—and what happens afterward—is different.
A PEG tube is placed using an endoscope, typically by a gastroenterologist. The initial tube is long and flexible, with external bumpers. It stays in place with a plastic disc inside the stomach and a retention plate on the outside. This kind is often placed early on, especially if the medical team wants to start feeds quickly.
A G-tube, sometimes called a “button” (like the Mic-Key or AMT Mini One), is shorter, lower-profile, and often more kid-friendly. It can be placed surgically or swapped in after the PEG has healed. Some hospitals now skip the PEG stage and place a button right away if your child is medically stable.
Which One Is Right for My Child?
The choice often depends on hospital policy, the team’s experience, and how soon your child needs tube feeding. But here’s the part you can influence: comfort, maintenance, appearance, and long-term care.
PEG tubes tend to stick out more, can get tugged accidentally, and may be less comfortable for active kids or those with sensory needs. G-tube buttons are more discreet, easier to dress around, and can give your child a sense of normalcy, especially as they grow. Buttons are also less likely to get caught on clothing or pulled out by curious hands.
This is where your voice matters. Ask your care team:
- Is it possible to go straight to a G-tube button?
- If a PEG is placed first, when can we switch?
- What training will we get for care and troubleshooting?
You are allowed to ask for more than survival. You’re allowed to ask for something that works for your child and your family’s daily life.
Recovery and Care: What You’ll Actually Be Doing
No matter which type is placed, you’ll learn how to clean the site, manage feeds, handle clogging, and watch for infection. The early weeks can be stressful—sore bellies, sleep disruptions, leaks, and the constant question of “Am I doing this right?”
PEGs need more space under clothing, may leak more during the healing phase, and can feel awkward for children learning to roll, sit, or crawl. G-buttons, once the site is mature, are simpler for dressing changes, swimming (with approval), and integrating into play.
This is where medical play can help more than we give it credit for. At The Butterfly Pig, our research-backed medical play support tools include realistic feeding tubes that help children learn what’s happening to their body. We’ve seen how play can support confidence and comfort. It’s not about pretending it doesn’t hurt or feel weird—it’s about giving kids ownership and understanding in a world that often talks around them.
PEG Removal vs. G-Tube Changes
PEG tubes are usually removed in a medical setting, sometimes requiring sedation. This isn’t a quick or casual moment. For many families, the day a PEG comes out feels significant. Whether your child is eating more by mouth or switching to a button, it marks a transition.
G-buttons, once the stoma (the opening where the tube enters the body) is healed, are easier to change at home. Many parents are taught to do it themselves. That’s a win for independence. No long hospital visits for a worn-out button. No unexpected trips for a tube that came loose.
When people talk about “tube life,” this is part of what they mean—not just nutrition, but logistics, flexibility, and day-to-day control.
What You Can Do Today
If you’re waiting for a tube placement, write down your questions. Bring them to your next appointment. Ask if the hospital uses buttons from the start. Request training materials that reflect real families, not just sterile hospital pamphlets.
If your child already has a PEG and you’re feeling unsure, it’s okay to ask about switching to a button. Many families make that switch after a few months once the site heals. It doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful for the PEG—it means you’re adapting to what your child needs now.
And if you’re just trying to breathe through this chapter, know this: you’re not alone. You are learning a new language—one of ports, pumps, routines, and resilience. And while it may feel overwhelming at first, with time and support, it becomes more familiar.
At The Butterfly Pig, we create inclusive medical toys that reflect real tools kids live with every day—including feeding tubes. Our goal is to help your child see their experience not as something scary or secret, but as something they can understand, explore, and even take pride in.
In Closing
PEG tubes and G-tubes both support the same goal: helping your child get the nutrition they need to grow and thrive. The differences are real—but so is your power to influence your child’s comfort, confidence, and understanding.
As you move through this chapter, remember: you don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to keep showing up—and that’s exactly what you’re doing.