Low supply in the past, SNS this time?

[thepeach80]

I've had low supply w/ the last 3 babes, we've been given another shot at this and I'm hoping to make it work. I'm going to talk to my DR about metformin possibly (possible PCOS) and talk to my BFing medicine DR soon to see what she says I can do before baby comes and after etc. I will run other things past her as well, like bottles vs SNS and what formula to use (all of my kids have several food intolerances as babies/toddlers), etc.

So, my question, there's the Lact-Aid and SNS right? Which one is easier? Do I use that every time right away or just use it after I bf and if baby needs more etc? Besides obvious stimulation reasons, why is this a better option than bottles? My dd was a slow gainer, she was 4 mos before we were told to supplement, she wasn't quite 10# and slept all day and didn't interact w/ us etc. I feel bad it took us so long to figure it out, she was hungry but didn't feel the need to really tell us, no crying etc. She also had a weak suck and using the bottles we did really helped her eat better. Could we have done this and still used the SNS? Anything I'm missing? I'm just preparing myself for a repeat of the other kids and hoping to do it better. Thanks.

[Taryn237]

I just responded to you in my thread about herbs. You should join the MOBI yahoo group. There are lots of low supply mamas on there who have been very helpful. From what I gather the SNS is easier for home (easier to fill and clean) but the lact-aid is better for use in public (less noticeable).

[justthinkn]

A recent thread on this concluded that the Lact-Aid was preferred by most. I've never used it, and have been happy with my SNS. I think supplementation at the breast is almost always preferrable, if possible.

I will say that next time, if it's looking like supplementation will need to go on long-term like it has this time, I will introduce a bottle-feeding of the supplement once a day by 6-8 weeks - with DD, we didn't do it very often, and so by 5 or 6 mo's, she utterly refused it. I managed to feed with the SNS in public so I could still get out and about (usu. sat in my car with a sun shield up and wearing a jacket so I could cover the side not in use), but having the bottle as an option would have been nice.

lowmilksupply.org suggests giving the bottle first with 1/2 oz. less of supplement than you would normally do in an SNS or Lact-Aid, then finishing the feeding at the breast. That way the baby is definitely still hungry after the bottle, but is more mellow and finally associates satisfaction of hunger with the breast.

[thepeach80]

My kids have always taken a bottle well, Ilana was the worst b/c she never seemed to enjoy bfing, she was very detached from it. Maybe that was part of her problems w/ not telling us she was hungry etc? I've had to supplement long term w/ all of them so I guess going between the 2 would be a good option. I nursed and ff AJ for 13 mos. Evan was 12 mos, then had formula till 2, and Ilana was 9.5 mos when she weaned, and is on formula still till we run out. We might stop sooner and pass the formula to someone who needs it since she's eating everything now. : There's so much to research and look at, I HATE it. BFing is supposed to be natural and enjoyable and go on for a long time, it's not supposed to have to be so medical and taking pills and stressful etc.