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Breastfeeding and Using A Supply Line 291018

This document provides information about using a supply line to provide extra milk while breastfeeding. A supply line attaches a thin tube from a bottle of milk or formula near the nipple so the baby receives milk both from the breast and through the tube. A supply line can help increase milk supply and ensure the baby receives enough milk. The document describes how to properly use and clean a supply line.

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Meghana Chamarthy
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118 views2 pages

Breastfeeding and Using A Supply Line 291018

This document provides information about using a supply line to provide extra milk while breastfeeding. A supply line attaches a thin tube from a bottle of milk or formula near the nipple so the baby receives milk both from the breast and through the tube. A supply line can help increase milk supply and ensure the baby receives enough milk. The document describes how to properly use and clean a supply line.

Uploaded by

Meghana Chamarthy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BREASTFEEDING AND USING A

SUPPLY LINE

This factsheet is for women who are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed and need to
give their baby extra milk.

What is a supply line? • have not given birth to the baby and wish to
Expressed breast milk or infant formula can be given breastfeed, this could be the case with adoption,
through a fine tube, known as a supply line, taped to surrogacy or a same sex partner who did not give birth
your breast so that the end of the tube is close to your but wish to breastfeed.
nipple during breastfeeding. As your baby sucks, extra Breastfeeding frequently is usually the best way to
milk comes down the tube from a small container worn stimulate a good milk supply. If you are having difficulties
on a cord around your neck. your midwife or maternal and child health nurse may
suggest you talk to a lactation consultant.
Why use a supply line?
Using a supply line can help increase your milk supply.
When a baby feeds with a supply line they get more milk
When a baby breastfeeds with a supply line it usually
and are likely to breastfeed for longer. This can be
helps them to drink more milk at the breast and stay
helpful because extra sucking helps make more breast
sucking at the breast for longer. A supply line can be
milk. Babies who feed only from the breast are more
used short or long term depending on your
likely to continue to breastfeed well.
circumstances and your baby’s feeding needs.
Some babies become used to feeding from a bottle and
A full breastfeeding assessment should always be
have difficulty returning to feeding directly from the
performed by a lactation consultant to see if a supply line
breast. Using a supply line while breastfeeding may help
might be likely to help with breastfeeding.
your baby avoid this problem.

A supply line may also help babies who: Types of supply line feeding devices
• get tired easily sucking at the breast because they are There are a few different types of supply line feeding
small, premature or unwell devices. You will find examples of these in pharmacies
• have lost a lot of weight and need a top-up feed and on the Australian Breastfeeding Association
• are not breastfeeding well after a period of bottle website.
feeding
In your hospital the lactation consultants may use a very
• are taking longer than usual to improve their sucking
thin baby feeding tube attached to your breast so that
and feeding
the tip is close to the nipple and with the other end
• need extra feeds using a naso-gastric tube, cup or a
placed in a bottle. A range of equipment options work in
bottle after breastfeeds.
the same way.
A supply line can be useful for mothers who:
• aren’t able to provide all the milk their baby needs from Using your supply line
the breast alone – this is rare and may be related to • Wash your hands thoroughly before preparing the
previous breast surgery or to other less common supply line.
circumstances • Fill your bottle with the right amount of milk for your
• have been very unwell and need to re-establish baby at this feed. Your lactation consultant will discuss
breastfeeding this with you.

BREASTFEEDING AND USING A SUPPLY LINE – OCTOBER 2018 PAGE 1 OF 2


• You may be advised to breastfeed on both breasts first Cleaning a disposable supply line tube and
or until your baby is feeding a little less vigorously bottle in the home setting
before introducing a supply line. Offering the breast All feeding equipment needs careful cleaning.
before using the supply line in these circumstances
can stimulate a better milk supply. Cleaning the tubing
• When you are ready to use the supply line, place the • The feeding tube must be cleaned thoroughly as soon
tubing into the container of milk. as the feed is finished. Rinse the tube using a syringe
• Allow your baby to attach to your breast inserting one to remove any milk from the tubing and to avoid the
end of the tubing into the corner of your baby’s mouth, growth of bacteria – this is particularly important when
pointing it slightly towards the roof of their mouth. The infant formula is used.
tube may also be effective when inserted under your • The tube and cleaning syringe can be re-used for a
nipple, so that it is directly over your baby’s tongue. total of 24 hours. Each 24 hours the tube and syringe
• The tubing only needs to go just past your baby’s must be discarded and replaced with new equipment.
gums. Your baby will suck on your breast and the tube • Use a 10ml syringe to flush 10mls of cooled boiled
at the same time, drawing extra milk through the tube water through the tube.
into their mouth (like sucking on a straw). • Flush the tube at least 3 times, more if there is any
• Initially hold the bottle of milk at the same level as your milk still visible in the tube.
nipple. If you need to slow or increase the flow you can • Always store the cleaned tube in a clean sealed
do so by changing the level of the bottle. If the bottle is container or plastic bag in the fridge.
too high the flow will be too fast, and your baby may • Boiled water can be made up for the whole day – boil
swallow too quickly. If the container is held too low the fresh water in the kettle and pour into a clean container
flow may be too slow and your baby may become to cool. Cooled boiled water can be kept for 24 hours
frustrated and tired. Your lactation consultant will work in the fridge and used as required for cleaning.
with you to see what works best. Cleaning the bottle
• If your baby is breathing regularly and sucking in a
• Cleaning and sterilising the bottle should occur after
relaxed and rhythmic way (1 to 3 sucks per swallow)
each feed if you are using infant formula and at least
the milk flow will be working well. If your baby seems
once every 24 hours if using breast milk.
distressed, for example, pushes away from your
• Clean the milk bottle as soon as possible after every
breast, gets upset, coughs or splutters, the flow from
feed is completed.
the supply line should be slowed by lowering the bottle
• Rinse the bottle in cold water then wash in warm
and waiting until your baby is calm again.
soapy water and rinse clean in hot water.
If using a supply line that you have purchased, • Dry the bottle with paper towel and store safely until
please refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for use next feed if using breast milk. Sterilise the bottle as
and cleaning instructions. you usually would if using infant formula.

Decreasing the use of the supply line


Your midwife, maternal and child health nurse or lactation For more information and advice
consultant can plan this with you. Gradually reducing use, Your local Maternal and Child Health Nurse
while looking out for signs that your baby is still getting Maternal & Child Health Line
enough milk, is important. When your baby is alert and Tel: 13 22 29 (24 hours)
responsive and has 5-8 heavy wet nappies in 24 hours
(and the nappies are pale in colour and do not smell Australian Breastfeeding Association
strongly), you may be reassured about your milk supply. T: 1800 686 268 - Breastfeeding Helpline
Continue seeing your local maternal and child health W: www.breastfeeding.asn.au
nurse to talk about any concerns and for ongoing advice.

DISCLAIMER This factsheet provides general information only. For specific advice about your baby or your healthcare needs, you should seek advice from your health professional.
The Royal Women’s Hospital does not accept any responsibility for loss or damage arising from your reliance on this factsheet instead of seeing a health professional. If you or your
baby require urgent medical attention, please contact your nearest emergency department. © The Royal Women’s Hospital 2015–2018

BREASTFEEDING AND USING A SUPPLY LINE – OCTOBER 2018 PAGE 2 OF 2

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