More Tips and Tricks for At-Breast Supplementers
Mastering the Lact-aid Nursing Trainer and Medela SNS
Nov 23, 2008
Once a mother facing a low milk supply understands the basics of how an at-breast supplementer (ABS) works, learning to latch baby properly and managing flow are the next steps. Below are some additional tips on cleaning, minimizing leakage, finding support and keeping a positive outlook during this emotional experience.
Cleaning At-breast Supplementers
Both the Lact-aid Nursing Trainer and the Medela Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) give guidelines for cleaning in their instruction manual. Proper cleaning and sterilization of the units is extremely important, especially for small babies and premature or ill babies.
- Some moms clean out the Lact-aid plastic bags with the same vinegar-water solution used to clean the units. Bags can be re-used several times before they need to be thrown out. If formula or breastmilk supplement gets caked in the bag and cannot be washed out, throw the bag out.
- If washing units right away is not an option, it’s helpful to soak them in a bowl of water on the counter so that supplement residue does not build up. The residue can clog the small parts of both SNS and Lact-aid units.
Minimizing Leaks
Leakage is one of the number one complaints from ABS users. While most moms will end up with a big, wet spot on their shirt or bed linen at least a few times over the course of a week, there are steps they can take to prevent leaks.
- Keep the Lact-aid units upright. If storing multiple units in the refrigerator, stand them up in a coffee cup. When travelling, it is extremely difficult to keep them from leaking if they are not kept upright. Lact-aid sells travel accessories and other items to help manage filled Lact-aid units.
- Veteran SNS user Polina Bryson warns to check that the tube not being used is properly clamped, or it may leak. If the leak is happening at the attachment ring, it may be screwed in too tightly and require a bit of loosening. (interview, 2008)
- Somtimes a Lact-aid leaks because a leftover vacuum has pulled liquid through the tiny tube, causing it to drip like a leaky faucet. Blowing into the tube will force the supplement back into the unit. Use caution if the unit will be used again before being washed as germs from the adult’s mouth can be passed along to the infant.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude
It does help tremendously to maintain a positive attitude when using these devices. Even though struggles with an at-breast supplementer can be the last thing a postpartum mother needs, it helps to know that there are others facing the same difficulties and for the same reason: they want to give their babies the benefit of their milk, even if the amount of milk they make does not meet one hundred percent of their babies’ needs.
Diana West, international board-certified lactation consultant and co-author of The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk, has established a low milk supply forum and a breastfeeding after reduction surgery forum where mothers can come together for support, including getting help with using the Lact-aid or Medela SNS. Most veteran ABS users will agree on one thing: it may not be easy at first, but in the end they do appreciate their Lact-aid or SNS, which allowed them to successfully nurse their children at their breasts in spite of milk supply issues.
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