Ordered an SNS

[SusanaLaLoca]

My DS is 6mo old, and since the beginning I've been supplementing formula along with BFing. It's gotten to the point where he barely BFs (like 5mins total, or less) and takes about 4.5oz formula. We just last week started him on solids - rice cereal and some pureed fruits/vegs. I've been struggling with trying to increase supply since I brought him home from the hospital, but I have to admit I haven't exactly put forth the best effort (not to make excuses, but taking care of DS and the home and new husband was a lot and a huge adjustment for me, plus I sort of felt a failure about BFing and almost gave up.) But now, I'm thinking of giving increasing supply another chance. I just ordered a Medela SNS online, and will get it in a few days. Any advice from anyone who's used one before? Any suggestions for trying to do this with a 6mo old?

What's giving me the confidence to try again is that DS seems interested in nursing - only when he's on he realizes there's not enough there and he gets frustrated and gives up (literally - he'll just refuse the breast and cry hysterically). But the fact that he still wants it gives me hope. I just want to get to 1yr.

[tinybutterfly]

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to say good luck increasing your supply!

I'm sure there are moms here who can help you out.

[Vegan Princess]

My advice would be to try a lactaid! I hated the sns. I tried the sns when DD was newborn and gave up on it and used bottles until she was 5 months old. I finally got a lactaid at 5 months. So if you hate it, try the lactaid. But maybe you will like it.

Since I didn't start supping at the breast until late in the game, like you, I do have some advice. There will be a definite learning curve and you will probably be frustrated. At that age they like to pop off the breast a lot...much harder to deal with than a newborn that stays put. I started doing only 1-2 feeds/day w/the lactaid bc it was all I could deal with. Hopefully you will have a better start and be able to just go full force and do every feed from the beginning.

I started supping at the breast for the same reason as you - baby was not spending much time at the breast anymore. I eventually made the switch to only using the lactaid and at one point ended up with a baby that refused the bottle and would only take the breast. It truly saved our nursing relationship! And it did increase my supply a little too. DD is 14.5 months old and she is a nursing fiend. I still use the lactaid for most feeds and am so thankful that I stuck with it through the learning curve.

I wish you the best!

Cindy

[cristeen]

I'll second the recommendation for the Lact-Aid - we've been using ours for over 4 months now. When we started using it (around 2 mos), my guy was refusing to nurse at all and my milk had dried up. I pumped every 2 hours for 2 days and then committed to spending 3 days doing nothing but nursing. DH was on his own for food, cleaning, etc., and I spent the entire time topless with DS. During that time I refused to give him the bottle, period. It took 2 days of frustration for the both of us, but we went bottle free for another 6 weeks after that. Now, at almost 7 mos, we're nursing with the LA about 50% of the time, and using the bottle the other 50%. I was never able to re-establish my supply.

The best piece of advice I got when I started was from a doula friend. She advised me to get a box of small band-aids... not the tiny ones, but the next size up. Put one on each breast right outside the areola, and thread the tubing through the pad portion - take them off when you shower, but other than that they can stay on. I think I did this for the first 2 weeks or so, and it was much easier than taping. Once we got the hang of it though, I don't use anything but my finger to hold the tubing in place.

HTH

[Megan73]

I like the Lact-Aid better, too, but a SNS is still MILES better than bottles.
You should be prepared for a learning curve, though, because an older baby won't be used to the feeling of the tube in his mouth. You can do it, though!
My other suggestions would be to consider trying domperidone and pumping after feeds to make sure your breasts get the message to maximize milk production. It might be worth it to try a hospital-grade pump.
Good luck, mama!

[SusanaLaLoca]

I'm scared to try domperidone... I know it's been proven safe and all, but has anyone tested the milk to be absolutely sure there's nothing different about it, or not tainted with the drug? Maybe my fear isn't warranted, because even if there's some change it's probably better than formula :/

I'm nervous about trying this as I know it'll be rough. And it's tough too since I don't exactly have all the support at home to do this. DH goes along with my decisions, but I don't know if he really *supports* it. He sometimes thinks I make too big a deal of things. I don't want to get into it about him though, that's a whole 'nother post!

Anyway, I wish I would've done the nursing vacation or whatever you call it right off the bat. I was just too scared to. And now, he depends on the bottle WAY too much to do it, I think it would be harmful at this point.

Out of curiosity, why the LactAid over the SNS?

Oh, and thanks for the band-aid idea... going to try it!

[Vegan Princess]

They used to prescribe dom to babies for reflux and the amount they get through your milk is way less than that dosage. That made me feel comfortable taking it. It boosted my supply from an ounce to 3 ounces per feeding. I just weaned off of it after taking it for a year and I am back to making only an ounce. It made all the difference for me. I didn't start it until 2 months pp. It is a very personal decision though! You have to weigh if you feel ok with it and if you don't, that is totally fine - you are already doing so much! I do think the sns will help boost your supply by keeping baby at the breast longer.

I like lactaid bc they have to suck to get the milk whereas the sns just drips. Also lactaid is just a bag you can tuck into your shirt versus a hard bottle hanging around your neck - it is MUCH more discreet for nursing in public. I was never able to get the hang of the sns - I think I had the wrong size tubing. There is only 1 tube for the lactaid.

Cindy