Tips for NIP with SNS

[MissyLissa]

Does anyone have any good tips or advice on hiding the SNS so I can nurse in public discreetly? I have no problem at all nursing in public without the SNS, but I guess I'm just embarrassed of the SNS and feel like it looks silly. I've tried putting it under my shirt but it was obvious that something was under there.

[AllyRae]

Are you using the medela or the lactaid? I personally could never get the hang of discretely nursing with the medela, but I've used the lactaid in public for a combined total (between both kids that nursed) of over 2 years. I didn't use the neck strap or tape the tubes. I just tucked the lactaid into the part of my shirt that was rolled up over my breast, and ran the tube down. I think all anyone can really see is maybe half an inch of the tube. Sometimes I will tuck the lactaid in the center of my bra between the breasts too.

[sattygirl99]

I agree, the Medela SNS is harder to nurse in public with. I nurse in public with the LA all the time! I do use the neck strap and tape. I use a nursing cover to get everything set up, then latch baby on and remove the cover. Bella doesn't like to be covered so I don't nurse covered but it's good for getting the LA done up without flashing my nipples to the world.

Can I ask why you feel embarrased about using an SNS? I don't think supplementing is embarrasing. A lot of people supplement. I've never been asked about my LA but if I were, I would just respond polietly that it allows my baby to get all the nutrition she needs at the place that is best for her.

[ErinBird]

I nursed with a Medela SNS for 10 months very often in public.

When I was going out with DD, I would tape the tubes to my breasts on both sides but leave the empty SNS bottle packed and bring the supplement in a small cooler. When I anticipated a good feeding was coming up, I would scoot to one of my many comfy nursing stations around the city (coffeeshops or office buildings or dressing rooms with no nosy security folks and a chair or bench tucked into a corner. That was mostly for my general comfort level.

DD would sit while I filled the SNS bottle with a few ounces of supplement. I lived in layers- a thin strapped tanktop with a shelf bra made a nice space between my breasts for the hard cap of the SNS bottle as well. Over that I wore a normal shirt that I could pull up that was weather appropriate (wider strapped tanks in summer worked well).

I would reach into my shirt and attach the SNS bottle to the cap, then invert and get the bottle situated under the outer shirt with both tubes closed. DD, hungry by now, would get latched on with the tube already taped on and nurse for a few minutes. When the supplement was needed, I used a free hand to maneuver the small tube and start the flow of milk.

When done with the feeding, I'd do clean up while DD was in my lap (or when older, sitting). I kept a bottle of water in my little cooler, and a few empty storage bottles (from the pump). The extra supplement would go into one empty bottle. I'd swish some water around the SNS bottle for a bit to get it somewhat clean. If I were heading home shortly, I didn't bother to clean the tubes and just left them attached. If I was going to be out for a while, I would place a nursing pad on each breast and use the SNS with water to briefly flush the tubing (mostly to avoid clogs) and the water would be caugth in the nursing pads (which I didn't mind leaving in place, just to avoid another step). The dirty water would be dumped into an empty storage container.

The tubes stayed taped on for the duration of the public outing. If I were going to be out for a long time, I'd pack cleaning supplies for the SNS bottle and actually wash it in a public sink with a brush and some soap I'd pack. I had several SNS's, so it wasn't ridiculous to consider just bringing a plastic bag for "dirties" and a spare bottle or two. If I was out for a long time, I might also pack extra tubing and change them in a bathroom stall as well.

This sounds really tedious, but it quickly became routine for me and I left the basic supplies set up on the counter in the cooler. Let me know if anything needs clarification!

[starling&diesel]

ErinBird...
You rock, mama!

[MissyLissa]

Thanks! These are some great ideas!
Really, I don't know why I'm embarrassed of it. I guess I just want to feel normal. And yes, I am using the Medela SNS. It was the only one that my local breastfeeding store sells although I wish I had the LA. That looks much easier to use, specifically for NIP.

[starling&diesel]

Originally Posted by MissyLissa

Thanks! These are some great ideas!
Really, I don't know why I'm embarrassed of it. I guess I just want to feel normal. And yes, I am using the Medela SNS. It was the only one that my local breastfeeding store sells although I wish I had the LA. That looks much easier to use, specifically for NIP.

Try craiglist ... that's where I got ours. Or you can order it online from Lact-Aid itself.

[ErinBird]

Originally Posted by starling&diesel

ErinBird...
You rock, mama!

Well, I would have gone nuts at home all the time!

I worry a lot about how I'm going to manage if I do the same level of supplementation (nearly all feedings) with this second baby AND I have a 3yo AND if I don't have such an easy going or calm infant.

[ErinBird]

Originally Posted by MissyLissa

Thanks! These are some great ideas!
Really, I don't know why I'm embarrassed of it. I guess I just want to feel normal. And yes, I am using the Medela SNS. It was the only one that my local breastfeeding store sells although I wish I had the LA. That looks much easier to use, specifically for NIP.

Practice at home in front of a mirror? Its advice often given to mamas who are nervous about NIP in general. Aside from a lump under my shirt and the initial latch on, I don't think anyone could tell during the nursing that we weren't "doing it right". I talked to many women about nursing when Raina was young, but only very few would ask about the SNS and that was generally after hearing me talk about it at LLL or similar.

[MissyLissa]

Originally Posted by ErinBird

Well, I would have gone nuts at home all the time!

I worry a lot about how I'm going to manage if I do the same level of supplementation (nearly all feedings) with this second baby AND I have a 3yo AND if I don't have such an easy going or calm infant.

You'll do great! I'm doing this with a very active 2 year old running around! Although, I'm much more used to staying at home all day now than I was when he was a baby so our outings are usually between feedings these days. I managed to chase him (literally, he wouldn't stay where I could see him) around the park while nursing with the SNS a couple weeks ago. LOL I had DD covered with a blanket though which I hate. Thus, the need for figuring out how to do this more discreetly.

[ErinBird]

Originally Posted by MissyLissa

You'll do great! I'm doing this with a very active 2 year old running around! Although, I'm much more used to staying at home all day now than I was when he was a baby so our outings are usually between feedings these days. I managed to chase him (literally, he wouldn't stay where I could see him) around the park while nursing with the SNS a couple weeks ago. LOL I had DD covered with a blanket though which I hate. Thus, the need for figuring out how to do this more discreetly.

Yeah, my general anxiety about nursing again is high right now to begin with.

[sattygirl99]

Originally Posted by ErinBird

Well, I would have gone nuts at home all the time!

I worry a lot about how I'm going to manage if I do the same level of supplementation (nearly all feedings) with this second baby AND I have a 3yo AND if I don't have such an easy going or calm infant.

If it makes you feel any better... I NIP with my LA an my 3 yr old all the time! You'll do great!!