Breastfeeding Tips & Breast Pump Guide | Lactation Connection

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. Supplementing Baby at the Breast 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 breastf...

     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 ...