SNS Ruining nursing for LO?

[mama greenbean]

I posted here a couple of weeks ago about my 3.5 month old son not gaining weight....He *is* gaining now, just VERY slowly (<.5 oz/day). So we're using an SNS to supplement with EBM and a hi calorie formula. We probably use the SNS about 4x/day, and my job is to pump at least 8 times/day to work on increasing my supply.
The thing is, I am noticing that when we nurse without the SNS, he gets so frustrated because the flow is slower without it...I can feel the milk in my breasts, they are heavy and hard in places, but he's not sucking enough to get it to let down.
He's frustrated, and I'm frustrated. Is the SNS ruining whatever was left of our nursing relationship? Is there a way around this, to still get him to take milk and gain, but also to stimulate my supply? Or is pumping going to be enough?
I am so heartbroken about this -- I really wanted breastfeeding to work out for us, and I've been working so hard at making sure he's gaining. I feel like a total failure. Any advice or experience that could help? Thanks.

[justthinkn]

Hey, so sorry you're having trouble! Is it possible that the SNS is set to be too easy for your LO? A good level of difficulty would have your LO gulping after every few sucks - a gulp for every suck or so would be too easy. To make it harder, you can use a smaller tube, which means slower flow - you can also play with cutting off the flow periodically.

Personally, I used the smaller tube, only used the tube on the first breast & then let the baby finish on the tubeless 2nd breast (so she experienced satiation with my normal flow), and only used the SNS right after DD woke up (then I'd nurse several times "bare" before she slept the next time, including nursing to sleep so that's what she would associate with comfort and sleep). I adapted this method for the SNS instead of a bottle...

To help your LO get back to nursing "bare" as well as with SNS... Breast compressions to help with flow as you nurse (probably the most important for you since you can tell there's milk there to get into your LO!), lots of skin-to-skin as low pressure encouragement to nurse, nursing in a warm bath together, walking your baby as she nurses and gets fussy (sling is so helpful here) or rocking or gently bouncing...

Good luck!

[alegna]

Has an LC evaluated his latch and suck? Could he have a weak suck? Have you investigated working with a therapist to improve his suck? Could he have a tongue tie?

good luck!

-Angela

[mama greenbean]

Does the SNS come with smaller tubes? Is it also possible to set the SNS lower than my nipple to make the flow slower?

[bender]

When I use the sns, I have baby nurse on both sides, then I put the sns back on and finished nursing him on the sns side. Also, depending on how active he was, I'd make him nurse a bit before turning the sns on, and then I'd shut it off if he started to nod off (because it will free flow a bit).

I noticed my baby would prefer the sns over my breast, but I think it was because my supply was lower, so it wasn't satisfying for him to keep nursing to get a little bit.

Good luck with your supply building. It truly sucks, but don't get discouraged. Herbs didn't really help me much, but acupuncture has been very helpful. I noticed a big difference after 2 treatments. I'm also pursuing the prescription medication route as well.

[justthinkn]

Originally Posted by mama greenbean

Does the SNS come with smaller tubes? Is it also possible to set the SNS lower than my nipple to make the flow slower?

Yes, it should come with 3 different sizes with different colored rubber rings, I think, and a little book that tells you which is smallest, etc. I bought backup tubes for like $5 each, since I used the SNS longterm with DD... Any good breastfeeding supply place might have them, or you can find them online.

I think setting it lower is supposed to make it harder, as well, working against gravity. Also leaving the tube not in use pinched makes it harder eventually, b/c it creates a vacuum in the bottle your LO has to suck against. You'd have to watch that, though, b/c it can get impossibly hard!

[starling&diesel]

If it's at all possible, throw that SNS out and get some Lact-Aid systems! They have one size of tube, so babe doesn't get used to a faster flow. It's a lot more manageable than the Medela SNS and way less cumbersome and so much more discreet and the LA does wonders (for me, anyway ...) in sustaining and supporting my supply.
Good luck, mama! I know how hard it is to supplement, nevermind having it add to your worry.

[justthinkn]

PPer - I've never used a Lact-Aid, so just curious How does having one size tube make having too-fast-flow NOT a problem? (I realize many if not most people seem to prefer the Lact-Aid - I'm one of those who figured out the SNS and used it forever, and so can't imagine using something different )

[LorenaAZ]

Have you tried putting the SNS lower so that baby has to suck harder? Or perhaps use the SNS until you get a let down and then remove the SNS?

Good luck Momma!!! We had a rough start too and are now EBF at 6 months. You can do it!!

Have you tried taking lactate support (made by gaia) to help with your supply?