tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post5741974938231393278..comments2024-03-24T12:47:49.253-04:00Comments on Dou-la-la: Lact-Aid Demo: In which I take one for the team and bare it all for the greater good.Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-20204177921265677102015-10-01T06:24:33.909-04:002015-10-01T06:24:33.909-04:00I could have written this post, as I am on this sa...I could have written this post, as I am on this same vicious cycle of pumping and bottles! I started using Lact-Aid almost a week ago, and wish I hadn't waited this long to start. I don't know how much my supply has increased, but I have been pumping 3 oz in a single night session for 3 nights in a row now - something I was never able to do before!<br /><br />My question for you: what kind of pumping schedule did you have when you started the Lact-Aid? Previously I was starting my baby at the breast and then bottle-feeding while I pumped, so roughly pumping 8 times a day. Now I'm pumping 4 times a day and using Lact-Aid for all her feedings. I can't seem to find time for more pumps. Do you think this is sufficient?Jennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-46555552160021531772015-02-04T12:17:42.330-05:002015-02-04T12:17:42.330-05:00Hi Anne just to let you know ..I ordered it at mid...Hi Anne just to let you know ..I ordered it at midday on Friday and it arrived to my door in Copenhagen at 6pm Monday evening. .excellent service..... l was wondering did you ever make a video of how to assemble it or how easiest/best way to clean it.<br />I did make one mistake when ordering .. I bought a refrigerator storage rack and some extra bag clamping rings thinking that we could premake at least 5bags but now it has arrived it has become clear you need as many training units to be able to store the bags ..I was wondering if you had a solution without having to buy more ..as the import tax was half the price of the whole purchase. When you look at the picture of the storage rack it's very difficult to see this ...hope this helps others ..tak takAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-42400962288203300972015-01-30T12:51:15.410-05:002015-01-30T12:51:15.410-05:00I don't know off the top of my head, honestly!...I don't know off the top of my head, honestly! But I would go ahead and contact the company directly - I'm sure they would be able to tell you what would be the best route, who might carry them in Europe, etc. Good luck to you!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-17760241809290668032015-01-30T10:28:41.593-05:002015-01-30T10:28:41.593-05:00I was also wondering if you know where you can buy...I was also wondering if you know where you can buy them in Europe ..I really need it fast and being in Denmark I think it will take too long ftom the states ..would really love a replyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-69067338679067743262014-02-28T19:41:18.785-05:002014-02-28T19:41:18.785-05:00Hi Anne,
I am in the lower mainland and I wonder ...Hi Anne,<br /><br />I am in the lower mainland and I wonder if you know where I might be able to buy the lact-aid in Canada? I really want to buy one asap as my three week old daughter is dependent on bottles right now because I have very low milk supply. Thank you!<br />Jamienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-5767931802667846972014-01-19T15:54:56.589-05:002014-01-19T15:54:56.589-05:00HI there! I am hoping I'll get to give you som...HI there! I am hoping I'll get to give you some hands-on assistance when you come in. There is DEFINITELY still a learning curve, and I for sure want to check out the positioning. Serious kudos to you for being willing to stick it out!!! <br /><br />Which day are you coming in? Don't see it on the calendar but I could be looking in the wrong place.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-70379578458168960652014-01-18T20:07:45.970-05:002014-01-18T20:07:45.970-05:00This is day 5 of using the Lact-aid for me and my ...This is day 5 of using the Lact-aid for me and my new born, we were turned on to the product by you, Anne, after I had an appointment with you at the breastfeeding center. At this point, it's still very frustrating! Even when we have a good latch with the tube in place, the milk does not flow! I know it's not clogged because I test it myself, it seems like the tube has to be in such a perfect position for the flow to come through the tube, not to mention it takes us 4-5 times just to get the baby and the tube on my boob while his arms are flailing around or his head is shaking back and forth in search of my nipple. I am going to try to use tape on the next feeding because it just seems like getting the tubing in the right position is proving to be very difficult. I AM very thankful that my baby has not had a bottle and I'm sure I will eventually get used to the Lact-aid as I am almost positive I will never have enough supply to fully breastfeed, but I guess I just needed to voice my frustrations because it really isn't easy yet! Any suggestions or helpful tips would be great, I have an appt next week at birthingway so maybe they can help me. <br />LindsayKaren Koltranehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06862940038082727788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-80538404523142491022013-08-28T20:37:23.067-04:002013-08-28T20:37:23.067-04:00This is incredible and I applaud you! I first use...This is incredible and I applaud you! I first used the Lact-Aid 30 years ago, with my first adopted baby. I essentially nursed him part time for a few months. I was very afraid of having anyone know that I was doing it. I'd heard of families being rejected as adoption applicants because the wife had expressed an interest in breastfeeding and someone said that it was a sign that she was mentally unstable and wanted to pretend that she had given birth to the baby. I won't go into the details of each, but I eventually adopted six babies. My success was limited with my first two, but the last four, including one who was six months old, gastrostomy fed, and antisocial when I got her, all weaned when they chose to at between 20 months and four years.<br /><br />I used the Lact-Aid with all of them, for at least 10 months. I first saw the SNS with my third baby. I thought it looked like it might be easier than the Lact-Aid but when I tried it I found it more difficult. Since I had used the Lact-Aid before, I made myself use SNS, alternating it with the Lact-Aid, so I could get a good idea of how it worked. Despite that, Lact-Aid was the one I preferred, by far.<br /><br />I get so frustrated when I see moms who are producing little or no milk, get the Lact-Aid one day, and by the next day are saying that they have tried and tried, but they just hate it! I tell them that it is up to them, but that if they really want to establish a long-term breastfeeding relationship, they should take a deep breath, take suggestions from other moms, and hang in there. But, some won't do it. If things worked out well for them, that would be one thing, but virtually always what happens is that it isn't long before they are just bottle feeding. If they WANT to bottle feed, that is fine, but if they really want to breast feed, I'm willing to keep trying to encourage them, no matter how long it takes! Pretty much everyone who sticks with it will soon have a day when they have it down and can do it in the dark! I've done everything, including filling them, with only a night light on and without putting down the baby. One of the main reasons I preferred it was that I could get set up to nurse with it without putting down the baby, which was much more difficult with the SNS. In the middle of the night, the more the baby cried, the more likely it was to wake one of my other children.<br /><br />noelanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06459339092491148181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-52300276010318213022013-03-21T11:54:03.119-04:002013-03-21T11:54:03.119-04:00I've have been trying to relactate for months ...I've have been trying to relactate for months now with no success getting my six month old to latch. I ordered the Lact-aid and have frustrations with getting the tube to stay in place. I had a recommendation from an LC to tape the tube down and then tape a nipple shield on top of it. What do you think? As my baby is getting older, I am running out of motivation. Samanthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04492527540178196494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-58107227701497720012011-10-17T01:10:46.635-04:002011-10-17T01:10:46.635-04:00I truly believe that the concept of a tool that al...I truly believe that the concept of a tool that allows you to supplement at the breast is amazing, and had it not been so trying and tiring to use, it may very well have saved my breastfeeding relationship.Portugalhttp://eclipsegym.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-73095150528788000262011-09-17T22:16:09.771-04:002011-09-17T22:16:09.771-04:00Oh wow, I'm so glad I found your blog!!! My da...Oh wow, I'm so glad I found your blog!!! My daughter is 6 weeks old and I have had low milk supply all this time. By week 2 , I broke down and gave her a bottle which filled me with regret. Much like you, I would still offer the breast whenever I could and pump whenever I could, which all seemed like a downward spiral. As of one week ago, I started supplementing at the breast and what a difference! The first 3 days were awful, but now it's not so bad and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! My question to you is, if I continue on this path, how long do you think I will have to use the lact- aid? Thanks for sharing your wisdom, for all of us!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-41502593350053871822011-07-11T10:28:45.322-04:002011-07-11T10:28:45.322-04:00I'm also a momma through adoption and have use...I'm also a momma through adoption and have used the SNS (this time; also used it 4.5 months with my now 5yo)) for more than 9 months. I really do hate the thing - mostly that I can't nurse him laying down - but I appreciate that it allows/allowed me to have this special relationship with my boys. I originally was going to use the lact-aid, but I was given the SNS in the hospital and got used to it. By the time we got home from hospital, the lact-aid looked really overwhelming to try to figure out, so we've stuck with the SNS. Both boys have always taken it without any problem, probably because we've never nursed without it. Thanks for this post - it would have been helpful 5 years ago :)Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07614553637265139846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-46326132154739740942011-05-11T00:09:22.492-04:002011-05-11T00:09:22.492-04:00Thank you so much for this great post! I'm an ...Thank you so much for this great post! I'm an adoptive breastfeeding mom and I had quite the love/hate relationship with my Lact-Aid for the months that we used it!<br />I've added a link to this page from my blog page where I give my two cents and tips from my experience using at breast supplementers:<br />http://thebreastfeedingmother.blogspot.com/p/at-breast-supplementers.htmlTeglenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15364346929639684808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-38556864650173779832011-04-04T19:20:43.157-04:002011-04-04T19:20:43.157-04:00Hi Eileen! I feel ya, out there in the midst of it...Hi Eileen! I feel ya, out there in the midst of it, trust me. I totally do. I know what you mean about not knowing what the end point might be. One of my focuses in school will be EXACTLY this, helping women to transition OUT of using the various aids that are sometimes advisable. It's tricky, and far from an exact science!<br /><br />I do have some (non pro, peer-to-peer) thoughts: Did he ever have any bodywork? Physical therapy, chiropractic, anything to not only deal with the compressions but also integrate the clippings? If not, it still might help. <br /><br />It sounds, though, like the concern is more about your supply now that he's actually latching, and getting it up to meet his demand. Are you doing anything to boost it, like pumping (first and foremost, though I know it's a chore) and galactagogues? And are you working with an LC in any capacity, even just checking in occasionally or visiting a support group?<br /><br />I wish you luck - will check back on this thread!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-57411974514868439662011-04-01T12:46:36.140-04:002011-04-01T12:46:36.140-04:00Thanks for putting this out into the world!
As a ...Thanks for putting this out into the world!<br /><br />As a 4-month SNS (actually it's a hazelbaker finger feeder that we are using as an SNS on the advice of our bf med doc because the flow is faster, but same process) veteran, I wonder if you have any thoughts on getting "stuck" on these devices?<br /><br />Our son was born with a severe tongue tie (required 3 frenotomies) and compressions in his neck and jaw, so he had a poor latch/suck and we started supplementing through the SNS due to his lack of weight gain. I pumped when I could but mainly it ended up being formula in the SNS (because SNS plus newborn PLUS pumping? OMFG something had to slide).<br /><br />We didn't introduce a bottle at the beginning since we were dealing with so many issues, and I still hoped to breastfeed. So now when we try he will barely let the bottle into his mouth and pushes it out with his tongue and won't swallow anything from it.<br /><br />At this point his latch is great but we are still using the SNS because my supply went down. Yes, we have had some nice breastfeeding moments but overall if I could snap my fingers and be able to bottle feed I would do so. Our life is extremely limited.<br /><br />I really don't "get" what the end point is here. Our OT (at the infant feeding center at children's) recommends a bottle intensive where I leave for a day and my husband gets our son to take a bottle, but honestly that sounds so traumatic to me that I have been putting it off.<br /><br />Anyway, sorry to write a novel, I am just distressed (writing this in the middle of the night in bed after pouring formula and setting up the SNS) and frankly sick of the SNS (though I completely recognize how critical and wonderful these devices can be as a tool in the short term!) so I would love to hear any thoughts you might feel like sharing on "exit strategy"<br /><br />Lots of love and appreciation ~ EileenEileenhttp://www.evalazza.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-17590593058199823172011-04-01T02:48:12.785-04:002011-04-01T02:48:12.785-04:00LOVE this. I did not even know about SNS (or Lact-...LOVE this. I did not even know about SNS (or Lact-aid) when we were trying breastfeeding - and you'd think that as a mom of a preemie who had been pumping from day one, some lactation consultant, nurse, ANYONE would have said something in the hospital! <br /><br />I tried the medela SNS as a last ditch effort to get my preemie to breast (long after we'd gone home from NICU) after hearing about it on TWITTER. It was confusing and since we were having latch issues as well, very difficult to handle. You made it look so easy, but you had the latch down pat. <br /><br />I'm getting ready to quit EPing for my son - it's been 20 months now ;) I'm so glad you put this up for other moms to find, so they don't HAVE to pump and bottle feed for 20 months!HauteSingleMamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18084445938740202401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-74497905842503142722011-01-13T18:46:49.708-05:002011-01-13T18:46:49.708-05:00Fantastic piece! As an IBCLC, I'll definitely...Fantastic piece! As an IBCLC, I'll definitely be sharing this ... a lot! Thanks so much!Deirdrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18052066252755999711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-57786647671740115672011-01-09T23:00:53.128-05:002011-01-09T23:00:53.128-05:00THANK YOU for making this!!!THANK YOU for making this!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-21829791136741265492011-01-09T16:58:39.331-05:002011-01-09T16:58:39.331-05:00THANKS Justine! I hope it helps her! Feel free to ...THANKS Justine! I hope it helps her! Feel free to send her my way with questions. And make sure she's taking goat's rue above all!<br /><br />And also - whaaaa? :O) If you mean the top pic, that's not me. It's from the Lact-Aid site, which I linked it to. (I try to send as much traffic their way as I can.) But I appreciate the thought!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-88601897876886627002011-01-08T21:18:08.542-05:002011-01-08T21:18:08.542-05:00Can I just say that you look about 14 in that pic ...Can I just say that you look about 14 in that pic (in other words, you look lovely and happy) I know it was a very, very tough time for you and sweet Lily...but you pulled it off like a rock star. I just recommended this post to a momma with supply issues (from surgery) and hope that she has the kind of success that you did!Justinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10970876946208148837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-89626092284252441842011-01-08T20:50:26.074-05:002011-01-08T20:50:26.074-05:00bnh, way to make my day! I wish you had been able ...bnh, way to make my day! I wish you had been able to use a Lact-Aid instead. It's still work, to be sure, but definitely a big difference. I hope the video will help your new mom, too! No doubt you'll be the biggest help for her, with your own experience to draw upon.<br /><br />I'll get working on the setup demo as soon as I see my client next, then. Pleased to make your acquaintance!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01019907275666753543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-31945849764768480482011-01-07T18:52:51.194-05:002011-01-07T18:52:51.194-05:00YES PLEASE! That would be SO helpful.
Oh, hi, by...YES PLEASE! That would be SO helpful.<br /><br />Oh, hi, by the way. Long-time reader, first-time caller. I am a new doula on Vancouver Island, Canada, focusing on post-partum work. I am working with a mom who is expecting to have to do some supplementing, pumping, etc.<br /><br />This video was extremely helpful as were your comments about the Lact-Aid. I personally used the SNS and, while I hated pumping and supplementing, I do think the SNS saved our nursing relationship. (I didn't know about the Lact-Aid at that time).<br /><br />Thank you for the amazing blog. I have learned so much from you.bhnhttp://chasingtoby.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-51584111134479938972011-01-06T14:31:48.582-05:002011-01-06T14:31:48.582-05:00Rebecca, yay, I hope you do find it useful profess...Rebecca, yay, I hope you do find it useful professionally! On finger-feeding: It's complicated. I think for short-term use it's fine, and better than bottle introduction. But it's not meant to be long-term, and I think that when it goes on for more than a few days, exactly what your instructors describe can happen. I *think* that Jennifer would probably say the same thing. Temporarily, it does no harm, which is sometimes all you're going for. The problem is that there's not necessarily any guarantee that the problem will clear up in as short a time as one hopes. In most cases, with good support, it will, but sometimes not. Case in point: me. <br /><br />Just to be specific, the kind of finger feeding I did (for about 6 weeks - WAY too long) was with a syringe dispensing the milk. One thing I did, convincing myself it would help attune Lily to the normal flow of milk directly from the breast, was try and simulate a 'letdown': I would depress the stopper very slowly at first, and only when (I thought) she was suckling properly - the main problem with that 'suck training" theory was that she literally COULDN'T, and I didn't know the difference at the time. Still, it was being depressed when she was trying, at least. Anyway, after a minute or two, I would increase the flow. I thought this way it would prevent her from expecting instant gratification once we transitioned to the breast. Maybe it helped a LITTLE, but it mostly made me feel like I was doing something proactive, something to make some real progress toward the breast. Which has value, too. <br /><br />So yes, I do agree that finger-feeding has its pitfalls. <br /><br />Melissa, I probably should do just that! I think I DID see a video online of how to set one up, unlike videos on how to use it WITHOUT having Jack Newman there to assist you. :O) But maybe I'll do my own anyway. I can totally, 100% understand being overwhelmed by the whole process; my approach was to be absolutely methodical and pretty much OCD about it - I would always set up the Lact-Aid for the next feed IMMEDIATELY after pumping; if I let that get away from me, it's way too easy to get scattered and sidetracked and forget to clean the parts and on and on.<br /><br />Do you think it would be helpful to have a post with the whole routine? I meant to do a post on pumping and how I would set up the glider as both a pumping and nursing "station" so everything was all right there, and made life as easy as possible (i.e. still fracking hard as hell, but manageable one day at a time). Maybe I'll film the assembly and put a post together on all of it, if you think it would be useful?Dou-la-lahttp://dou-la-la.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-57894879457451693202011-01-06T01:15:15.129-05:002011-01-06T01:15:15.129-05:00Thanks for sharing, Anne! Your video will be valua...Thanks for sharing, Anne! Your video will be valuable to many moms. You may also want to do one showing you setting up a Lact-Aid if you get the chance. Many moms become overwhelmed with the set up process until they get used to it. You story is very inspirational and I know many moms will benefit!Melissahttp://www.lunalactation.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741036541041672560.post-35518030264232007442011-01-05T20:25:54.362-05:002011-01-05T20:25:54.362-05:00Thanks for this post and video Anne! (And baring y...Thanks for this post and video Anne! (And baring your boob on the Internet for a good cause!) I have a feeling I'll be using this in the future to help LC clients learn to use supplementers. <br /><br />At the hospital we always always use a supplementer if at all possible. We often use an improvised system with a 10 cc syringe and a 5 french feeding tube. The tube is definitely stiff enough to push into the baby's mouth but also sometimes leads to the baby rejecting the supplementer because they don't like the feel. The SNS tube is definitely softer, and it sounds like the LactAid is even better.<br /><br />Out of curiosity, what were your/your LC's thoughts on finger feeding? At the hospital, if the baby won't latch, we'll generally do a spoon feed or syringe feed - easy with the small volumes of colostrum. The LCs I have trained with are fairly anti-finger feeding. As one says "You can imitate a bottle with a nipple shield and an SNS, but nothing feels like a finger" - i.e., if babies get nipple preferenced to a bottle there are solutions but if they get used to the finger, there's trouble. I guess the advantage of finger feeding is that it's harder to create a flow preference (vs. the fast flow of a bottle) but paced bottle feeding does solve some of that issue. What was your experience?Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02589949170980959443noreply@blogger.com