[imperfectangel]

After a 6 week hiatus due to cracked nipples, plugged ducts, mastitis and emotions, I would like to get my sweet babe back to the breast. She's only 8 weeks old so I think I have a pretty good chance of gaining back at least some milk but I don't want to pump to do it. I've had to pump with my first two and I hate it. I'd much rather have a baby at my breast than a pump, which is why I'm looking into trying the Lact-Aid. I figure as long as she's feeding at the breast that's what counts. If my milk supply comes back as a result... then bonus!

The problem is that she's used to the bottle nipple now and my nipples aren't nearly as easy to latch onto. I'm not sure I would call them flat but they definitely aren't just hanging out there inviting a baby to latch on if YKWIM. So she definitely needs some incentive to latch and nurse. I have a Medela SNS that I tried but she quickly got frustrated due to the slow flow I think. I just feel that if she's going to keep up the effort of nursing she needs a bit more reward and I'm wondering if the Lact-Aid might have a bit faster flow. Do babies who are used to a bottle ever accept a slower flow?

Okay, so my 2 questions are: does anyone have any experience with trying to relactate using the LA? And does the Lact-Aid have an adjustable flow to suit the preference of the baby?

 

[TurboClaudia]

i have only used the Lact-Aid and not the Medela SNS, but from what i understand, the SNS is gravity fed while the Lact-Aid is suction fed, so to me that would mean that babe would actually have to work harder to get the milk from the Lact-Aid. the Lact-Aid does have an element of gravity fed, since you can raise the bag of milk up higher than the level of your nipples to allow milk to come out a little faster or with more ease or drop it down lower to allow baby to suck a little harder, but i believe the tubes from the SNS come out from the bottom of the container so it really is more gravity fed. i also believe you can buy larger tubes (in diameter?) for the SNS, but again, i'm not sure.

are you able to find an LC in your local area that can meet with you and support you through getting babe back to breast, at least part of the time? i honestly think this would be your best route to success, as at-breast supplementers are hard to explain via internet a lot of the time and the issues are so baby specific...

sending you peace and wisdom and milky vibes...

~claudia

 

[MarcyC]

The SNS does have different sizes of tubing - 3 different sizes (S/M/L). If necessary, you can open up the second tube so your baby doesn't have to suck as hard, but don't do that long-term, you want your baby to learn to suckle hard enough to stimulate your own milk flow as well as getting the supplement, kwim.

I've used both the SNS and lact-aid and I ended up selling my lact-aid on ebay. I just wasn't that into it. the SNS worked much better for us...

 

[JunipersMom]

If its just the flow of milk bothering your babe - squeeze the SNS... If that doesn't work, it might not be the speed of the milk ~ it might just be the transition back to breast and that just takes time.
The lact-aid will not help with milk speed.. IMHO all you can do is squeeze the bottle to help the milk flow faster and just keep at it..
Best of luck ~ what a great momma

 

[tash11]

try useing the largest tubeing for your sns and raise it up higher. that will increase the amount of milk comeing out of it.

try offering it to her when she isnt as hungrey, that way she wont get too frustrated.

to help her latch squish your areaola like a sandwich so it kinda sticks out more. does that make sence? that really helped my baby in the begining. early on my nipplels just didnt want to get/stay hard for her.

 

[*GreenMama*]

If you do decide to go with the lact-aid I'm selling a new (just opened and looked at) one here.

 

[twinsarefun]

I had a similar situation and have tried both the SNS and the Lact-Aid. The Lact-Aid does have a faster flow. I would not use that nor the large tube on the SNS. It will sabotage your nursing efforts. Use the SNS with the medium tube. I know a mother who adopted a baby and was able to lactate using this and eventually get the baby off to nurse without it. I do know women who also did that with the Lact-Aid, but I think there is more success with the SNS. My milk flow slowed down with the SNS large tube and Lact-Aid. When I went back to the SNS medium tube, my supply stepped up. I now just have worked down to the smallest tube and my supply has gotten even better. I am hoping to get my guys off of the tube. They are hooked on it and just won't nurse without it. I think if you work at this and feed every feeding with the Lact-Aid (okay for starters) or SNS, you will probably be able to eventually get your baby to take the breast alone. You will be surprised how quickly your supply will come in doing the supplementation. Just try and get your little one off of the tube by three months. After that, they get smart and can get hooked. I know that is better than bottle feeding though. I wish you well!