What is Syringe Feeding a baby? Its Steps And Tips

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Feeding a baby with a syringe is an inevitable choice when a baby can’t nurse from the breast. Generally, babies are born with an innate ability to suckle and consume breast milk. However, there may be various reasons why a baby can’t do it. In such instances, feeding a baby with a syringe can help them consume breast milk. Breast milk is vital for babies as it provides them with essential nourishment and hydration.

Breast milk is vital for babies as it helps them stay nourished and hydrated. Besides, it provides themantibodiesiXDefensive proteins of the immune system that protect the body from the harmful effects of foreign invadersthat help against illnesses(1).Hence, syringe feeding is recommended until the baby starts breastfeeding naturally.

Read this post to know about syringe feeding, when it is needed, steps to feed your baby with a syringe, and precautions to observe.

In This Article

What Is Syringe Feeding?

Syringe feeding allows the baby to consume the mother’s milk through specialized infant feeding syringes.表达的母乳是无菌维斯el and drawn into a feeding syringe. The technique is quite commonly used to feedcolostrumiXThe first milk produced immediately after childbirth, which is rich in immunity-providing elements,which is very low in volume, to newborns unable to breastfeed.

During syringe feeding, the tip of the syringe is placed on the side of the baby’s mouth to enable feeding. Some syringes have an attached fine feeding tube, which can be inserted into the baby’s mouth. The type of syringe used may vary depending on several factors, including the doctor’s recommendation, your baby’s health, and reasons behind the baby’s inability to breastfeed.

When Is Syringe Feeding Done?

Syringe feeding is practiced when breastfeeding is not possible because the baby cannot suckle or the mother cannot breastfeed. Below are certain scenarios where syringe feeding may be considered (2).

  • Preterm babies with poorprimitive reflexesiXReflexes that facilitate the development of vital skills in a newborn
  • Drowsy baby due to labor-inducing drugs
  • Babies recovering from birth interventions
  • Babies born with medical conditions or birth defects, such ascleft lipiXA birth abnormality presenting as a split or opening in the lip or the roof of the mouth in babies或腭裂
  • Baby is unable to latch on the breast temporarily
  • Mother is unable to feed her baby immediately

How To Feed A Newborn With A Syringe?

Below are the steps involved in feeding a baby with a syringe(3)(4)

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water to ensure hand hygiene.
Wash your hands before feeding

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Sit in a comfortable position. Express breast milk in a sterile container, vessel, or flask.
  1. Hold and wrap your baby securely while settling into a comfortable position. You may use a pillow to support the baby.
Use a pillow for support during baby syringe feeding

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Take a clean infant feeding syringe recommended by the doctor.Draw the milk, press the plunger to remove the air bubble, and place the syringe aside. Ensure the feeding nozzle/tip does not touch any surface.
  1. Use your little finger to stimulate thebaby’s lipsand encourage them to open their mouth.
Use your little finger to stimulate the baby's lips

Image: IStock

  1. Put your finger inside the mouth such that the pad of the finger touches the baby’s palate (roof of the mouth). The baby will begin to suck at the finger.
  1. Once you sense thebaby suckingat the finger, use the other hand to gently insert the syringe’s tip along the side of the baby’s mouth. Do not push it deep.The syringe should be between the gum and the cheek or between the side of the baby’s tongue and your finger
Use both hands to syringe feed your baby

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Gently push the plunger so that the milk flows into the baby’s mouth.
  1. Push the plunger again each time the baby completes a sucking motion, that is, swallows the milk. You must push no more than 0.2 milliliters of milk at a time
  1. Stop pushing the milk when the baby stops making the feeding/sucking motion. Resume once the baby begins. Continue feeding until the baby stops.

protip_icon Quick tip
Splaying i XThe act of stretching out widefingers and toes, spilling milk from the mouth, turning head away, or pushing the syringe away indicate that the baby has finished feeding and does not need any more milk(8)

In most cases, babies who are syringe-fed may be required to stay in the hospital for extra time. Therefore, the mother may find support from a midwife, nurse, or lactation consultant who can guide and assist her during syringe feeding.

Tips And Precautions When Syringe Feeding

Here are some useful tips and precautions to safely syringe-feed your baby(5)(6)

  1. Always use your little finger to open the baby’s mouth. Using another finger may cause somebabies to gag
  1. There are several types of infant feeding syringes with respectiveaccoutermentsiXAdditional items, accessories, or components of clothing.Most do not hold more than one milliliter of milk.Ask your pediatrician about the precise type of syringe and tubes you may need to feed the baby.Do not pick a syringe without consulting the doctor first.
protip_icon Point to consider
Syringe feeding is suitable for babies requiring less than 5ml of milk at a time. Once the volume of milk increases, syringe feeding should be replaced with cup feeding if the baby still can’t breastfeed(8) (9)
  1. Make sure you decide the place and your position tohold the babysecurely before you begin. It is especially necessary when you are feeding the baby alone.
Hold the baby securely when feeding with a syringe

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Do not place the baby flat in your lap since it may cause them to choke. Instead, place them in a partially upright position.
  1. Always use a sterile container to collect theexpressed milk.Thaw any frozen milk before drawing it into a syringe.
  1. Avoid using the syringe to feed medicines since the drug may react with traces of milk inside the syringe.Maintain a separate feeding syringe to administer medicines to the baby.
  1. Flush the syringe and tubing with warm water after use. Clean it with soapy water and let it air dry. Thorough washing with soap and water is often sufficient to sterilize certain infant feeding syringes.
  1. Some syringes are only meant for a fixed number of feeds. Check it on the packaging or ask your healthcare provider about it.
  1. Purchase sealed infant feeding syringes and tubes that are pre-sterilized. If they are not pre-sterilized, look for information on the packaging or contact the manufacturer to learn about appropriate sterilization techniques.
  1. Some syringes could be dishwasher-safe. You may sterilize them in a dishwasher. If the manufacturer recommends it, you may disassemble parts of the syringe, place them in a pot of water, and boil for five minutes tosterilize it.
protip_icon Be watchful
Do not syringe feed a baby who is asleep or crying. Instead, feed them when they are awake, alert, and calm to prevent choking(8)

常见问题

1. Is a syringe feeding better than a bottle?

Syringe feeding could be better than bottle-feeding for preterm infants as it possesses less risk of infections. Feeding preterm infants through syringes might also avoidnipple confusioniXA phenomenon where babies have trouble switching from a bottle to the breast,a common occurrence in bottle-fed preterm infants. Syringe feeding also requires more parental involvement, which might benefit the infant(7)

2. Can I syringe feed formula?

The syringe feeding method is a versatile technique not just limited to delivering breast milk to babies. It can also be used to feed formula to infants. But care must be taken that the formula is dissolved and does not block the syringe nozzle.

3. What are alternative feeding techniques?

Alternative feeding techniques are used when the baby cannot consume milk directly from the breasts. These methods include syringe feeding, hand feeding, bottle feeding, cup feeding, and spoon feeding. Alternative feeding techniques are used until the baby starts to breastfeed successfully(8)

Feeding a baby with a syringe may become a necessity if they have latching issues, congenital facial abnormalities, or if the mother is not in a condition to breastfeed. This technique requires sterilized extraction equipment and syringes. It is recommended to consult a medical professional or a lactation consultant to learn the procedure of syringe feeding. They will also help you determine the right syringe feeding type for your baby. Ensure to maintain proper personal hygiene, position yourself and your baby comfortably, and start and stop feeding your baby based on their sucking reflex cues. Also, remember to clean the equipment after the feeding and replace them if needed.

Infographic: How To Tell If Your Baby Is Full During Syringe Feeding?

It is essential to follow your baby’s cues to feed them adequately through a syringe. Overfeeding or underfeeding can cause problems. Checking growth and weight gain at regular intervals is also vital to determine if the syringe feeding is going fine. Check out the infographic to learn cues that your baby is full during syringe feeding.

cues that your baby is full during syringe feeding (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

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Download Infographic in PDF version

Key Pointers

  • Syringe feeding employs specialized infant feeding syringes to feed the mother’s milk to the baby.
  • It is considered in preterm births and other conditions when the baby cannot suckle or the mother cannot nurse.
  • Always use a sterile container and a separate feeding syringe to collect and administer expressed breast milk.
  • After each use, flush the syringe and tubing with warm water and sterilize it.


References:

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