New SNS/Lact-Aid question

[raeanneb]

OK, so I think I am going to find the tubing and make my own SNS/Lact-Aid, especially now that DS has gone mobile on me... he had a hard enough time gaining weight properly when all he did was lay there!
So, my new question is- does anyone have experience introducing this to an older baby? DS will be 7 months next week, and I'm afraid that no matter how small the tubing is, he'll notice it and won't like it.
Any experience/advice is appreciated!
TIA!

[twinsarefun]

Has your baby been on the bottle for a long time? If so, I would try the medium tube first. If that doesn't work, start with the larger one. If baby absolutely refuses both, then try a nipple shield with the tube run through it. The main thing is getting the baby to latch. It would be good if baby comfort nursed, but if not, these are some things to try. As baby gets comfortable with tube or shield, you can work your way down to smaller tubes as you build up some milk. The best way to do that is to pump after feeds for at least 10-15 min. for 8 times in a 24 hr. period if you can. A one night pump for at least 10-15 min. is very important (I haven't been able to do that one yet). As you get some milk, the baby will hopefully progress to a smaller tube. You will want to read the other thread on hints for making formula for the SNS/Lact-Aid. They are essential for making things easier. I wish you well! I hope this helps. I'm sure there are more that will chime in here.

[raeanneb]

He actually won't take a bottle at all; I've tried at least 4 kinds, with all different nipples... I've tried 3-4 different sippy cups, even with valves removed... nothing works. He refuses to be supplemented, wants it straight from the source!
Which I have no problem with, except that he's not gaining weight (actually lost 9 oz from one checkup to the next, and when he only weighs 15 lb 13 oz, 9 oz is pretty big).
We've never had any nursing problems, he's been a pro since an hour after he was born; but about a month ago I guess I had a drop in my supply, which I didn't notice until he had failed to gain weight between 4 and 6 months... I managed to build my supply back up by nursing almost constantly (it seriously felt like I nursed him every time he opened his mouth), and now we're going strong again, other than the weight thing.
I hope to supplement him with my own milk through the SNS/Lact-Aid, which I am hoping will help to keep him from noticing it so much. My worry though is that he'll notice the tube and want to play or bite it (and me), as that's all he will do with a bottle/cup lately.
Also, I tried a makeshift SNS system the other night, using a tube from a breastpump (obviously too big, but I was desparate!), and it almost worked, except that he kept getting distracted by the tube and biting me
I guess the SNS/Lact-Aid's aren't usually used by moms/babies who have breastfed well since birth, but I don't know how else to supplement him...

[twinsarefun]

I'm sorry to hear about your trouble. I would have your thyroid checked. Sometimes after about 6 mo. of birth, the thyroid can lower. Even though it may be in the low normal range. A LC recommended Nature's Sunshine Thyroid Activator for me. It has seemed to help. I would nurse first without the tube, and then add the tube at the end of the feeding. Do not use the tube throughout the whole feed even though Madela recommends it. You will chance your baby getting hooked on the SNS or Lact-Aid. That is what happened to my twins. Many other women have encountered the same thing. Dr. Newman suggests what I told you for the same reasons. On top LC that I have consulted with said that she does not like the SNS but prefers the syringe. That is something else to consider. She said that even with that, babies can get hooked on it. I would think the SNS is easier though. I would use the smallest tube since your guy is already at the breast. He will get plenty of supplement even with that. My twins only nurse with the SNS and they do fine with the small tube. I hope that things get ironed out. Hopefully it is something that can be remedied and you can ditch the tubes.