The baby may be latched on to the breast first, and the tube slipped into the baby's
mouth at the appropriate time. The better the latch, the better the baby will get your
milk and the easier the aid will be to use, and the more quickly you will be able to get
rid of the supplements. The breast should be gently eased out of the way so that
the corner of the baby's mouth is seen, and the tube, held between the index finger and
thumb, should be slipped into the corner of the baby's mouth so that it enters straight
towards the back of the baby's mouth and at the same time, upwards towards the roof of
the mouth. The tube is well placed when the supplemental fluid works its way down the tube
at a rather rapid rate. There is usually no need to fill the tube with supplemental fluid
before putting it into the baby's mouth.
Or, the baby is latched on to the breast and the tube, which is run along the
mother's breast and nipple, at the same time. The better the baby's latch, the easier the
lactation aid is to use. Also, the better the latch, the more likely and the more rapidly
the baby will be able to do without the lactation aid. Therefore, proper positioning and
latching on of the baby are still very important.
The tube may be taped to the breast if the mother desires, though this is not really
necessary and not always helpful.
The tube does not need to pass the end of the nipple and needs to be only just past the
baby's gums to function properly. It does seem to function better if the tube is placed in
the corner of the baby's mouth and enters straight into the baby's mouth over the
tongue. (Point it to the roof of the baby's mouth). It is occasionally helpful for the
mother to hold the tube in place with her finger, as some babies tend to push the tube out
of position with their tongues.
The bottle containing the supplement should not ordinarily be higher than the
baby's head. If the lactation aid functions only when the bottle is held higher than the
baby's head, something is wrong. Keep the bottle higher only if this is suggested
by the doctor or lactation specialist.
Unless otherwise instructed, it is best to use the tube with every feed, though some
mothers find it easier not to use it during the night.
Do not cut off the end of the tube. It works fine as it is.
It should not take an hour for the baby to drink an ounce of milk from the lactation
aid. If it is taking this long, the tube is probably not well positioned, or the baby is
poorly latched on, or both. When the lactation aid is functioning well, it takes 15-20
minutes, usually less, for the baby to take an ounce of the supplement.
Cleaning the Device
Do not boil the tube of the non-manufactured aid. It is not made to be boiled.
After using the device, clean the bottle and nipple as usual. Do not boil the
tube. The tube should be emptied after use and then rinsed through with hot water (suck up
hot water into the tube from a cup) and then hung up to dry. Soap, though not necessary,
may be used if desired, but rinse the tube well. Tubes may become stiff and unsuitable for
use after about a week.
Weaning the Baby from the Lactation Device
Maintain contact with the breastfeeding clinic for advice about weaning the baby from
the lactation aid.
Weaning the baby from the aid may take several weeks or only a short while. Do not be
discouraged and do not try to force the weaning. Usually, the amount of milk required in
the lactation aid increases over 1-2 weeks, then levels out for a variable period of time
before decreasing. The whole process may take 2-8 weeks, although some mothers have used
the device only a few days, whereas others have not been able to stop it at all. Rapid
improvement sometimes occurs after a long period of little change.
Observe the baby's nursing. If you do not know how to know if the baby is drinking, ask.
Put the baby onto the breast, allow the baby to nurse as long as he is suckling and
drinking, then use breast compression to
keep the baby drinking; then repeat the process on the second breast. You can
return to the first breast and continue back and forth as long as the baby is drinking.
After you have finished feeding on both breasts, insert the tube into the baby's mouth.
Allow the baby to nurse until satisfied using the lactation aid.
The bottle of the lactation aid can be lowered 6-12 inches below the baby's head, but do
this only if the baby is drinking very quickly.
by Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC
