So, I was thrown a curveball last week. After over a month of wonderful breastfeeding of baby Meili, a relapse brought on by lack of sleep battling thrush caused my milk production to plummet. I was abruptly cast into the scary new world of bottle feeding, nipple confusion, supplemental nursing, milk-sharing and formula. I'm not forgetting this anytime soon, and have much in mind that needs written down at a later stage. How much later I can't say now, but don't hold your breath ha!
I logged on specifically to rave about the Medela Starter SNS that I ordered off Amazon for $18. It's a teeny tiny feeding tube taped to the boob on one end and connected to a tube filled with formula or breastmilk at the other end.
By sneaking the tube into baby's mouth as she opens wide to take in my nipple, she got 2 oz of my previously frozen milk while her suck-suck action continues to stimulate my breast to make milk. Meili's nursing is a whole lot more efficient at telling my breast to make milk, than any pump in the world, methinks.
This disposable SNS is supposed to be used for only 24 hours then thrown away, but I'm planning to rinse it out and reuse it for a week or two until I'm recovered and my milk (hopefully) comes back.
It came with a little instruction booklet that was very well put together. However, as always, I didn't read it first. Instead I referred to the nice illustrations alone. I managed to waste about 1/8 ounce doing that before wisely settling down to read the instructions that accompanied the illustrations. After snapping the white membrane into the disc, the whole thing worked perfectly. It took 5 minutes and a little bit of cussing (I don't cry over spilt milk ha).
I didn't bother with taping the tube onto my nipple. Nah that's for amateurs ;). I clipped the container to my sleeve at nipple level and put Meili on my chest in preparation for her feed. Somehow baby didn't even notice the tube placed surreptitiously at the end of the nipple, and latched on without much ado. Whoa. Sweet.
I experimented with raising and lowering the container above and below the level of my nipple to see how she would react. Raising it increased the flow and she was sucking it down way too fast. So I kept it below my nipple and let her work harder for the milk. She nursed like a champ - always has. I brag but I can't help it. I felt SO good knowing that she could still be at my breast while ensuring she got supplemental milk during my period of drought.
Now I'm down to my last 3 oz of frozen milk stash. What will I do when this runs out?
Stay tuned if you like, but no bated breath :)
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