Lactation aid (SNS).... any success stories?

[luv2swimbikerun]

I have been supplementing my ds, who is 7 months old, with formula for over a month now. Because I was concerned about low milk supply and him increasing his formula intake I sought out a Lactation Consultant and acquired the SNS.

I'm a single mother and can't for the life of me manipulate him and the SNS at the same time. I'm wondering if will even work and if anyone has any tips on using it?

Thank you!

Viviana

[Fiver]

I tried one with DS.  Getting the right gauge tubing was interesting!!  The first time I used it it took over and hour for DS to empty the SNS!!!  After that I sort of gave up.  I'm not sure if I wasn't doing it right or what but, sad to say, it still remains in its box...

Hope you get some good advice, though

[Purplecattypants]

Kittysmum used one successfully. She doesn't come her much anymore but if you PM her she will get a notification in her inbox 

Good luck, i'm sure you'll make this work 

 

[ENMS]

Hi! Not sure if it's the same thing (I don't know what SNS means!) but when DD was born, I didn't get my milk until day 8 and until then I used a lactation aid which was a little tube attached to a syringe.  I would put formula in the syringe and the tube on my breast so when she would suck, she would get formula from the syringe as well as stimulate my breast to produce milk.

It was quite a lot of trouble to manipulate, and my DD was young so not very mobile, I can assume with a 7 month old it must be quite a challenge!

One thing that helped was using some scotch tape to tape the tube on the top of my breast so that it would hold in place on it's own, and I would put the syringe on the top of the couch behind me.  That way I could use both of my hands to install DD properly so that her sucking would start ok.

Not sure if this helps or if we're even talking about the same thing but I thought I might post just in case.  I also think I saw a video on Dr. Jack Newman's website about this, you might want to check it out as well.

Good luck!!

[Fiver]

An SNS (Supplementary Nursing System) is similar to what you've described, but instead of a syringe it's usually a bottle that you put the milk in.  Again, with a little tube that feeds down to your breast so that LO gets some milk whilst still stimulating the breast.

HTH for any that aren't sure whether they know what one is or not

[luv2swimbikerun]

Hey y'all

Thanks for the posts..... ya, it's with the bottle that I can't for the life of me manipulate with one hand. I find the tubes too long and by the time I have it somewhat ready, ds is already in a screaming frenzy and a few times he then just refused to bf! It drives me nuts.

I just don't know where to put the bottle so I can fiddle with the tube easy enough with one hand. The LC said to put in my bra between my breasts, tried that, didn't work.

Hmmmm very frustrated!!!!

[Sarahboosmom]

Hi there!

I am a success story for sure!  Okay, I switched to Lact-aid brand ( you can find them on Ebay) and I LOVE it!  I used to have the bulky Medela SNS that was the 5 oz plastic thing, UGH what a pain!  I did NOT BF for DS first 5 weeks of life, I started this journey at 5 weeks and here I am 5 weeks later at 90% supply!!!!!!!!!!! 

I did it all with formula in the lact-aid.  It is a small flexible and disposable bag that hangs around your neck with only one tube.  The tube seems to be the perfect flow for my LO.  I found it easy to use (much better than medela) and the milk is warmed by the warmth of your body.  You can also squeeze it if you need help getting the baby to suck more.

It REALLY helped SO much, I don't think I'd be where I'm at without it.  I only supplement ONE feeding now with the lact-aid (last feed of the night) and it is all breast milk from what I pump during the day.  I am so amazed at how this worked! 

Feel free to PM me and I'll let you know some tips and tricks!