At-Breast/Chest Supplementing
Table of Contents for all blog posts
At-breast/chest supplementing is a fantastic technique for so many reasons!
If nursing is challenging for baby and they need help with the flow of milk
Co-nursing, adoptive nursing, re-lactation, trans-nursing
When supply is lower than needed to fully feed the baby, and/or baby is frustrated with slower flow of milk.
You can also use the feeding tubes for other ideas - finger/syringe feeding, oral exercises (for suckling strength, coordination, etc).
A patient gave permission to use this photo anonymously - her milk was coming in slowly - and at-breast supplementing provided baby with nutrition, helped build her nursing skills, and provided stimulation for mom’s supply. They used this method for a few weeks and then were happily breastfeeding exclusively!
It takes some practice but it’s worth it! At-breast/chest supplementation combines nursing with supplementation (pumped milk or formula), saves time (shorter feedings, less pumping needed), builds supply, and improves suckling skills.
Work with your IBCLC to use at-breast supplementing, and to plan for how to taper off/stop when supply and/or nursing have improved. Over time, as your supply and nursing skills improve, you can put less and less in the supplementer bottle. Or, if your supply is lower than the babies intake, it can be used long term as well!
Resources for at-breast/chest supplementing
Video of at-breast supplementing with a tubing from bottle to breast
Video of at-breast supplementing with a curved syringe full of milk in the corner of the baby’s mouth.
Video of at-breast supplementing with a tubing from a syringe filled with milk to the breast
Video showing how to make a homemade at-breast supplementer.
And, another video showing a homemade at-breast supplementer
Cleaning the tubing:
The podcast Breastfeeding Outside the Box has many great episodes on at-breast supplementing, adoptive nursing, co-nursing, trans-nursing, and more! (also available through most podcast apps)
Commercial versions of an at-breast supplementer include the SNS, the LactAid, and the Laally.
