Just like a birth plan, sometimes, breastfeeding does not go to plan and some moms may need to supplement. This does not have to mean the beginning of the end of breastfeeding if caution is used in how you supplement.
Often supplementation is only necessary for a short term while mom is regaining her milk supply or baby is having a frenotomy to release a tethered tongue to facilitate milk transfer. And the best method for supplementing formula is doing so while keeping the baby at the breast. However, Supplemental Nutrition Systems are often expensive and difficult to clean so short-term feeding tubes are the preferred method in these cases. In the case of supplementing a newborn, the best option is a 5FR feeding tube that is 36" long. Don't opt for a shorter tube such as 15" because the shorter the tube, the faster the flow of milk and babies need to latch and use their tongue and jaw just as they would when exclusively breastfeeding. The act of the baby sucking at the breast while being supplemented also increased mom's milk supply.
You can use the feeding tube by placing the large end in a container and taping the other end of the tubing to the breast with the tube slightly past the nipple since the nipple will elongate during the feeding. You can use a 50ml cap as shown above or just a bottle and nipple by enlarging the hole in the nipple for this use only.
Use medical grade tape such as transpore tape or micropore tape. Micropore tape has been found to be slightly more gentle on dry skin. Image above shows tape on the areola, but you may prefer to start the tape the an inch behind the nipple to keep it secure and out of the infant's mouth. Either way it is best to run the tape in the same direction as the feeding tube
Lactation Aid Feeding Tube Sets can be purchased with tubing, containers, caps and syringes for flushing the tube as well. As I mentioned earlier, this is a short term feeding system so discontinue using the tube if it becomes rigid on the end or after two weeks of use, whichever comes first.
Remember that your goal in short-term supplementing formula is to provide any shortage of nutrition to your baby. So don't supplement the full amount of a feed if your body is making milk. Only supplement the difference in formula. This amount should be decreasing as your body begins to increase in milk supply. In addition to keeping the baby at the breast to further hinder your supply, you will want to take a galactagogue lactation supplement to help you increase supply more quickly. This way the time necessary for supplement is shortened.
Best wishes for short-term supplementation and long-term breastfeeding!
Tanya
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