TL;DR A supplemental nursing system (SNS) is a tool that helps provide extra nutrition to your baby while breastfeeding. It uses a small tube and container to supply milk (breast milk, donor milk, or formula) alongside your nipple, letting your baby feed from both sources at once. This system is excellent for supporting milk production, helping babies who struggle to latch, or supporting you if you’re an adoptive parent who wants to breastfeed. You can make a DIY SNS at home with simple materials, but properly cleaning and maintaining is crucial. If you’re looking to support an adequate milk supply, breastfeeding or pumping often is key, but certain supplements, vitamins, and foods may help, too. Seeking Health™ is also here to help support you on your new journey through parenthood.†
What Is a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)?
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A supplemental nursing system (SNS)—sometimes called a breastfeeding supplement system— is a device designed to provide additional nutrition to your baby when you’re breastfeeding. It consists of a container filled with supplemental milk (either expressed breast milk, donor milk, or formula) and a thin, flexible tube alongside your nipple. When your baby latches onto your breast, they receive milk from your breast and through the tube, allowing for simultaneous breastfeeding and supplementation.
The SNS serves multiple purposes and can be beneficial in various situations. It helps stimulate milk production by encouraging your baby to suckle at your breast for longer, increasing breast stimulation. This device is handy if you have a low milk supply, are relactating or inducing lactation, or if you’re an adoptive or non-birth parent who wants to experience the unique bond breastfeeding creates between you and your little one. Additionally, the SNS can help your baby if they have difficulty latching or transferring milk effectively or need supplementation due to slow weight gain or medical conditions.
How Do I Make a Homemade SNS?
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This DIY approach is cheaper than buying a ready-made system. It can be assembled with items you might already have at home to help your baby get the extra nutrition needed to start on the right foot.
8 Tips for Making a Homemade SNS
- Use a French feeding tube, which you can get from a pharmacy or online.
- Find a small container or bottle to hold the milk.
- Get some medical tape to secure the tube to your breast.
- Make a small hole in a bottle nipple to thread the tube through.
- Clean all parts thoroughly before and after each use.
- Experiment with the tube position to find what works best for you and your baby.
- Start with a small amount of milk and adjust as needed.
- Ask a lactation consultant or healthcare professional for guidance if you're unsure.
How Do I Properly Clean and Maintain a Homemade SNS?
Keeping everything clean and sanitized is crucial for your baby's health and well-being! Here are the key steps to effectively clean and maintain your homemade SNS:
Cleaning the Tubing
- Rinse immediately after use: Flush the tubing with cool boiled water at least three times using a 10ml syringe.
- Wash thoroughly: After rinsing, flush the tubing with hot, soapy water, then rinse again with clean water.
- Dry the tubing: Shake the tubes to remove excess water or use the syringe to push air through them.
- Store properly: Keep the cleaned tubing in a clean, sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Cleaning the Other Components
- Bottle and teat: Clean and sterilize these parts like regular baby bottles.
- Syringe: Clean the syringe used for flushing the tubing along with the other components.
Maintenance and Replacement
- Replace tubing regularly: Change the feeding tube and syringe for new ones every 24 hours.
- Inspect before use: Check the tubing for signs of wear and tear before each use.
- Monitor for stiffness: Replace the tube when the end that goes into the baby's mouth becomes stiff, typically after a few days to a week of use.
Important things to remember when cleaning a homemade SNS include:
- Never boil the tubing of a homemade SNS, as it's not designed to withstand high temperatures.
- Use a separate washing basin for cleaning baby feeding equipment, as recommended by the CDC.1
- Talk with your healthcare professional about more frequent replacement and stricter hygiene practices for premature or vulnerable babies.
- Consider using ready-to-feed or concentrated formula instead of powdered formula, as it's less likely to clog the tubing.
By following these cleaning and maintenance steps, you can help ensure the safety and effectiveness of your homemade breastfeeding supplement system and keep your baby safe and healthy.
How Can I Support Breast Milk Production with Supplements?†
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If you want to support breast milk production, some vitamins and minerals might help, including:2,3,†
- Vitamin D
- Choline
- Iron
- Zinc
- Iodine, so make sure the salt you use at home is fortified4
Eating certain foods may help support breastmilk production, such as:5
- Oats
- Leafy greens, like romaine lettuce
- Starchy vegetables
- Fruit with high water content
- Dairy
- Low-mercury fish, like sardines, tilapia, trout, catfish and anchovies
- High-protein foods, such as meats, eggs and legumes
- Flaxseeds
- Galactagogues, including fenugreek seeds6
Drinking enough water is also very important—proper hydration is the foundation of life!
However, it's important to remember that breastfeeding or pumping often is generally the best way to support the volume of milk production. It’s also important to not restrict calories—you typically need an extra 300-500 calories daily to support production. A healthcare professional, lactation consultant, or dietician specializing in maternal and infant nutrition can help with any challenges you may face and help you develop a meal plan.
Seeking Health™ Breastfeeding Bundle
Look no further than Seeking Health™ to support your journey through parenthood and everyday health! Our Breastfeeding Bundle was curated by Dr. Ben Lynch to address your needs as a new parent trying to give your new baby the best start to life possible. It comes with everything you need to support breastfeeding so you get the nutrients you need to confidently embrace this next chapter in your life.†
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Breastfeeding Bundle
Our Breastfeeding Bundle includes comprehensive breastfeeding support for everything from hydration to baby’s brain and spinal cord development.†
The bundle includes:
- Prenatal Essentials
- Optimal PC
- ProBiota HistaminX
- Optimal Electrolyte
We’re also including a free copy of Dr. Ben Lynch’s best-selling book, “Dirty Genes,” so you can learn how to challenge your genetic destiny and that of your growing family!
The Bottom Line
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A supplemental nursing system (SNS) is valuable for mothers and caregivers who want to support breastfeeding while providing extra nutrition. Whether you choose a store-bought or homemade system, the SNS can help address challenges like low milk supply and latching difficulties. You can ensure your system is safe and effective by following proper cleaning and maintenance practices. Supporting milk production through frequent nursing or pumping, balanced nutrition, and certain supplements or foods can further support your breastfeeding journey. Seeking Health™ can help you make educated choices so you and your little one can thrive!†
References:
- https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/faq/index.html#:~:text=Rinse%20by%20holding%20items%20under,protected%20from%20dirt%20and%20dust.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33397426/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38276540/
- https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32373623/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36172202/
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.