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**Lori - marriedtomrwright**
I was reading some posts on the breastfeeding board and came across one were you were asking about alternative ways to feed. It was a few days old so I didn't know if you would see my response over there...
We used a supplemental nurser system for a while (before introducing the bottle) as a way to get his probiotics to him. I taped it to my boob, but DH once used it taped to his finger. You might want to get an LC's opinion - I don't know if there are any long term issues with using it, or any issues with repeatedly using with with a finger as opposed to the breast. However it seems like an option for times when she really needs food and nothing else is working.
Not sure where you buy them but I got one at the hospital b/c a dumb nurse wanted me to formula supplement for his suspected jaundice. They opened it and left it in my room but the LC that came in said I didn't need it after consulting with our pedi. I took it home just in case he did have a jaundice problem. The one we had was basically just a really thin tube attached to a syringe - it didn't hold a whole lot though.
DH said it was really interesting to feel him eat off his finger sucking (surprised at the forceful suck - HAH) so that was neat that he could experience that a little and said you could tell when when he swallowed so he could release more from the syringe.
Not sure if it's really a solution for the long term, the info I found seem to say it's ok but cup or spoon feeding is better for an "older" baby that won't take a bottle - not sure what age they are considered older, but I know Jack isn't ready for spoon fed BM - I tried that for his probiotics BM mix a while ago when I was trying to get out of making a bottle. FAIL.
Re: **Lori - marriedtomrwright**
Thanks! I know about these SFS...we've looked into them for "finger" feeding (which is what your DH did)...at this point I am open to anything. We're going to try a Medela SoftCup and maybe the Foley Cup and take it from there. *sigh*
BTW, what probiotics do you use? I have been meaning to get Libby started...I eat tons of yogurt, but I want her to have some directly too.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
Jack sometimes (well.... often) forgets to swallow while BFing so I should have guessed that he wouldn't be able to figure out how to swallow liquid just put in his mouth (spoon fed).
We use Udo's Choice infant blend on recomendation from my doctor. It was important to me to use one that is available locally and it's reasonably priced - Jarrow infant was twice as much, it's the brand I used while pregnant so I almost went with it but just decided to try Udo's. I can buy it at the supplements store and I think whole foods carries it.
I got a little lazy about making a bottle every night and during that period we noticed he was a little more gassy which made him fuss an unusual amount and most evident his poo was different, both in looks (TMI I know...) and frequency - he went more often and cried while going. So I am back to making sure he gets it at least every other day.
**Butting in**
We use Udo's Choice too. We mix just a tiny bit of the powder with a little milk or water and give it to her (about a pee size ball). It worked WONDERS when she was super fussy and having tons of belly issues. She's much better now and now we just mix a little in her food each day.
**butting out
**
yes, we use less than the recommended amount (about 1/2 t. I think) because breast milk has probiotics in it anyway, I mix in 1/4 t. and many times he doesn't drink the entire amount so he is getting a little less than that but I can really see the difference, he rarely ever spits up so when we got lax about it really felt bad every time he did spit up - it really made him sad.