DIY supply line kit

For babies who need a bit of extra milk, and you're wanting to give that milk at the breast or chest.  You can also use part of this kit (the syringe + feeding tube) for finger feeding. 

A supply line (also known as a supplemental nursing system or SNS, lact-aid, or at-breast feeding tube) allows you to give your baby extra milk while they feed directly at the breast or chest, skin-to-skin.  By using a supply line for any supplemental feeds, you can feed your baby any extra milk they need, build their feeding skills (and yours!), as well as establishing or protecting milk supply - while keeping them at the breast or chest.  

A DIY option like this is designed for short-term use - maybe baby needs some extra top-ups at the start, or is a bit sleepy or jaundiced, or you're both getting the hang of breastfeeding and you don't want to introduce a bottle while you're learning together.  If you need a longer term option, my other listing for a supplemental lactation aid will be your best best!)

Indications for use:

• low milk supply/ low milk production - providing supplemental milk while stimulating supply
• relactation or inducing lactation
• feeding at the breast or chest in rainbow families
• giving top-ups for babies who need them, without the need for a bottle
  

Each kit includes:

• 1x 60mL bottle and cap OR 1x 50-60mL syringe OR both
• 2x 5fg infant feeding tubes
• 1x roll of paper tape to secure the tube to the breast or chest (generally safe for sensitive skin)
• 1x 10mL cleaning syringe

Directions for use - using bottle and cap:

1. Give the bottle and cap a wash with hot soapy water, and dry.
2. Fill the bottle with the desired amount of supplemental milk (breast milk or formula as needed).
3. Open the cap at the end of the feeding tube, and drop the open cap end into the milk.
4. Thread the tube through the hole in the bottle cap, and screw the cap onto the bottle.
5. You can either latch your baby to the breast or chest, and then slide the tubing into the corner of their mouth while they are latched (+/- taping the tube after it's in place); or use the paper tape to secure the tubing alongside your nipple and then latch your baby (I find having the end of the tube adjacent to or 1-2mm beyond the tip of your nipple, about the 9-10o'clock or 2-3o'clock position, at the inner aspect of the breast, tend to work reasonably well).
6. You can experiment with where you have the bottle depending on your feeding needs - if you have it higher than baby, gravity will help more milk flow, or if you have it lower than baby, they will have to work against gravity.
7. You'll tend to feel the milk flowing from the tube over your nipple (especially if it's cooler or warmer than skin temperature) and baby should be swallowing and interested in being at the breast.  If baby seems frustrated, you can't feel the milk flowing, or the level in the bottle isn't going down - try pulling the tube back a fraction or pushing it forward a fraction, or check that the tube cap inside the bottle isn't closed.  If baby is getting through the supplement really fast, and not spending much time at the breast or chest, try putting the bottle further below baby (so they need to work more against gravity).
8. Give everything a wash in hot soapy water after use, and use the 10mL syringe to squirt some hot soapy water through the tubing, then some clean water to rinse the soap out.  Please don't use a microwave to sterilise the tubing! 

If your baby needs extra help to get milk at the breast, or is excessively sleepy/ not interested, then use the large syringe for your supplemental milk - attach the open cap of the feeding tube to the syringe, latch baby (as per step 5 above), and then you can slowly depress the plunger of the syringe at the rate you need to keep milk moving and baby feeding.  

The tubing will last for a few days to a week or more, depending on frequency of use.  When it becomes cloudy and rigid, instead of clear and flexible, it's a good time to replace it - your kit comes with two tubes, and you can buy more from me. 

If you are using any type of supplemental lactation device, please always consult a lactation professional such as an IBCLC lactation consultant, or a breastfeeding medicine physician.