It is recommended that breastfed infants are fed exclusive of a bottle for at least 6-8 weeks while learning to breastfeed. Bottle feeding greatly changes the way the infant sucks and their expectations for immediate gratification while feeding. Feeding from a bottle provides immediate gratification because bottle drips even when sucking does not occur. This causes the infant to thrust their tongue to the end of the nipple or to arch their tongue to collapse the nipple on the roof of their mouth to control the flow.There are several methods of supplementing a newborn with breast milk during the early days. For short term feeding solution, we recommend finger feeding with a syringe. This method is tried and true and can be learned by both parents and baby in a matter of minutes.
Instructions:
Wash your hands.
Sit with your feet on a stool or anywhere you can raise your knees.
Place the baby in your lap facing you so they are in a reclined with their head above their body.
Draw the breastmilk into the syringe from an open container. This can be done with one hand once you learn to pull the plunger up with your thumb.
Allow the baby to suck on the index finger of your non-dominant hand. Your finger should be in far enough that the infant's tongue is attempting to draw it in with a peristaltic wave motion. If Dad is feeding and has large fingers, he may want to turn his hand and use his pinky finger.
Using your dominant hand, place the syringe full of breast milk in the corner of the baby's mouth.
Wait 30-60 seconds before tapping the plunger so that the baby understands that they need to suck before the milk lets down when they return to the breast.
Tap the plunger every 3 sucks, but not every suck so they establish a breastfeeding pattern of suck, suck swallow.
Remember that a newborn's stomach is the size of a cherry when they are born so during the first few days, the teaspoons of colostrum are all that is necessary.
If there is a reason to syringe feed beyond day 5, refer to the infant feeding chart for ounces needed. A 10 cc or 10 ml baby feeding syringe is 1/3 of an ounce so it is easy to know that re-filling this syringe 3 times is 1 ounce.
Attempt burping after 1-3 times of re-filling the syringe. If the baby is spitting up or taking the milk too quickly, burping is a good way to slow the feeding and eliminate excess air.
Syringes are an inexpensive way to supplement a newborn without interfering with breastfeeding. This lactation aid may be a tool you will want to have in your arsenal in case your baby has latch or suck difficulties such as the ones that can arise from tongue tie. A sleepy baby can also become more lively if breast milk is supplemented correctly so they will have enough energy to stay awake at the breast.
Best wishes for a bottle-free start to breastfeeding!
Tanya
Instructions:
Wash your hands.
Sit with your feet on a stool or anywhere you can raise your knees.
Place the baby in your lap facing you so they are in a reclined with their head above their body.
Draw the breastmilk into the syringe from an open container. This can be done with one hand once you learn to pull the plunger up with your thumb.
Allow the baby to suck on the index finger of your non-dominant hand. Your finger should be in far enough that the infant's tongue is attempting to draw it in with a peristaltic wave motion. If Dad is feeding and has large fingers, he may want to turn his hand and use his pinky finger.
Using your dominant hand, place the syringe full of breast milk in the corner of the baby's mouth.
Wait 30-60 seconds before tapping the plunger so that the baby understands that they need to suck before the milk lets down when they return to the breast.
Tap the plunger every 3 sucks, but not every suck so they establish a breastfeeding pattern of suck, suck swallow.
Remember that a newborn's stomach is the size of a cherry when they are born so during the first few days, the teaspoons of colostrum are all that is necessary.
If there is a reason to syringe feed beyond day 5, refer to the infant feeding chart for ounces needed. A 10 cc or 10 ml baby feeding syringe is 1/3 of an ounce so it is easy to know that re-filling this syringe 3 times is 1 ounce.
Attempt burping after 1-3 times of re-filling the syringe. If the baby is spitting up or taking the milk too quickly, burping is a good way to slow the feeding and eliminate excess air.
Syringes are an inexpensive way to supplement a newborn without interfering with breastfeeding. This lactation aid may be a tool you will want to have in your arsenal in case your baby has latch or suck difficulties such as the ones that can arise from tongue tie. A sleepy baby can also become more lively if breast milk is supplemented correctly so they will have enough energy to stay awake at the breast.
Best wishes for a bottle-free start to breastfeeding!
Tanya
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