How to Use a Supplemental Nursing System

Inspect the packaging of your SNS before using it for the first time. As long as the plastic packaging is intact without tears or rips, the SNS is sterile and does not need washing prior to first use. If you find any tears in the packaging, follow cleaning instructions to wash the equipment before using it for the first time.

Choose the appropriate tubing that matches your baby̵7;s needs. The tubing connects to the feeding bottle to deliver the breast milk or formula to your baby as he breastfeeds. Use the narrowest tubing with the red valve for thinner fluid and if your baby is gaining but needs some assistance with sucking, according to Medela. Use the medium tubing with the white valve if you have adopted your baby and you are trying to establish breastfeeding, for premature babies, if your baby is gaining weight slowly or if your baby has general sucking issues. Use the largest tubing and the translucent valve if your baby̵7;s sucking issues involve a tight mouth or weak and lazy sucking.

Assemble the SNS. Push the valve with the tubing protruding out the bottom into the plastic valve holder. Insert the tubing and the valve holder into the attachment ring and press it until it snaps into place. Avoid pulling the tubing during assembly. Pour breast milk or formula into the feeding bottle and screw the attachment ring onto the feeding bottle tightly. Position each tube into a notch on the attachment ring to prevent liquid from flowing out the tubes until you are ready.

Hang the SNS around your neck so the attachment ring faces down and the tubes extend down from the feeding bottle. Tape one tube to each breast with the adhesive tape, included with the SNS. Arrange the tubes so they travel down from above each breast and so the ends of the tubes are even with the ends of your nipples. Affix one piece of tape on each tube so the tape extends 1/4 inch into the areola area. Do not place the tape onto the nipple because it could interfere with your baby̵7;s latch.

Place your baby at the breast and remove the tube for this breast from the notch of the attachment ring. Latch your baby onto both the nipple and the tube at the same time. After your baby opens her mouth to latch, insert the nipple and the tube so the tube sits under your baby̵7;s upper lip. This should ensure that your little one latches onto the breast and the tube simultaneously. If you have trouble, take your baby off the breast and try again.

Watch the SNS to ensure it starts flowing as your baby begins sucking. If you don̵7;t see the tube fill with liquid, squeeze the feeding bottle gently to initiate flow. Continue with the feeding on this breast for 10 to 15 minutes and then reposition the tube into a notch on the attachment ring to stop milk flow. Switch to the other side and perform the same process to latch your baby onto the breast and tube on the other side.

Disassemble the SNS immediately after you finish using it. Rinse each part with cool water. Fill the feeding bottle with cool water, reassemble the attachment ring and tubing and squeeze the feeding bottle to force water through the tubes. Soak all the parts in warm, soapy water for five minutes. Rinse the parts with cool, clean water and squeeze water through the tubing again. Dry the insides of the tubes by squeezing the empty feeding bottle to force air through the tubes. Air-dry the parts. Reassemble the SNS parts after they dry.

Sanitize the SNS one time each day. Fill a 2-quart pot with water and boil it. Place all separated parts into the boiling water and push them under the water surface. Leave the parts in the water for five minutes and then remove them with a tongs. Dry the parts completely and then reassemble the SNS.