How to Use a Baby Feeding Syringe for Breastfeeding

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

Supplementing the Breastfed Baby: Lactation Aid Feeding Tubes vs Supplemental Nursing System & Lact-Aid Nursing Trainer

     In my practice as a board certified lactation consultant, there were times when it was medically necessary to supplement.  Whether it was due to a poor suck or mismanaged milk supply, we need options when recovering from these issues and getting back to breastfeeding.  Many times, I would recommend finger-feeding with a syringe to keep moms from using a bottle nipple.  I would have rather recommended a Supplemental Nursing System which has a container with tubes that runs to the breast; but I didn't want to see mom spending the extra money when her budget was so tight.  At that time, the only options were the Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) by Medela and the Lact-Aid Nursing Trainer.   These cost mom $50 or more and had small tubes to be cleaned which were cumbersome.   Now, with more options available, Moms can use a short-term feeding tube which accomplishes the same thing and can be cleaned for a few days before disposing of it.  It is a small investment in comparison to the commercial systems.  While moms who are adopting babies and inducing lactation, rather than just building milk supply may still want a commercial unit; the Lactation Aid Feeding Tubes are the best course for the short term situation.  Thanks to IBCLC, physician and lactivist, Dr Jack Newman videos and instructions are available for using these feeding tubes.  You simply cut a slightly larger hole into a bottle nipple.  Insert the adapter end into the bottle and feed the tube into the babies mouth while he is latched on.  You may also use medical tape if you prefer to have the tube in place prior to latch.  These can be purchased from the International Breastfeeding Center in Canada, but due to the long ship time of up to three weeks, we have added them to our selections at Lactation Connection.  Sold in a two pack for under $10, these will last up to two weeks while mom is re-establishing milk supply or training a baby with a weak suck.  Each tube is in an individual sterile pack ready to use.  Instructions are included with the feeding tubes when purchased here:  https://www.lactationconnection.com/Jack-Newman-s-Lactation-Aid-Feeding-Tube-p/54-5036-2.htm
     Dr. Jack Newman also has a helpful instructional video on YouTube.  I encourage you to view it and encourage lactation consultants and breastfeeding counselors to recommend and use these feeding tubes for short term situations of supplementation. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezGIkIkhC_o&feature
     It is also important to recognize the appropriate amount of supplementation.  Always assess milk supply first, then only give the difference of what mom is producing and the actual need of the baby.  This is to say that you supplement not how much the baby will drink, but the need of a baby of that weight.  Here is a link to a chart for appropriate milk intake to show how much to feed per pound of body weight:  https://www.lactationconnection.com/Feeding_s/1907.htm  For example, a 7lb baby who is older than 6 days needs 2.25oz eight times per day.  If mom is making 1.25, then the appropriate amount of supplementation is 1 oz. per feeding.  Contact you local lactation consultant for further instructions on supplementation or give us a call at 800-216-8151 9-5 M-F CST. 


Lactation Aid Images: 

Note:  Most lactation aid feeding tubes sold are slow flow.  They are 36" in length so that the flow is regulated.  Shorter tubes change the flow to a faster rate.  If you do need a faster flow for an older baby, medium flow lactation aid feeding tubes are now available at: https://www.lactationconnection.com/Jack-Newman-s-Lactation-Aid-Feeding-Tube-p/54-6036r.htm 

Happy Nourishing!

Tanya