[blparent] using an S.N.S. when blind

Tue May 22 20:17:38 UTC 2012

I just stuck everything in one of those bottle sterilizers that you put in 
the microwave, so cleaning was okay, but the thing was a pain to put back 
together.

Jo Elizabeth

"How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, 
compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of 
the weak and the strong.  Because someday in life you will have been all of 
these."--George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, American scientist

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Erin Rumer" <erinrumer at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 2:04 PM
To: "'Blind Parents Mailing List'" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [blparent] using an S.N.S. when blind

> Thanks for sharing your experience.  I know lots of moms who are in love
> with them and others who got quite frustrated like you.  There are lots 
> and
> lots of ways to bond with baby which is great but I have been interested 
> to
> hear about using the SNS from parents who are blind because I think it's a
> pretty awesome tool, assuming it's not driving you crazy because that
> defeats the whole purpose.  Are all the parts a pain to clean?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Erin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jo Elizabeth Pinto
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:25 PM
> To: Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blparent] using an S.N.S. when blind
>
> I tried using the SNS in the hospital with Sarah because she had a lot of
> trouble latching on and sucking, and she was losing too much weight.  The
> blasted thing was a pain in the (insert orifice here."  It leaked where it
> wasn't supposed to and got clogged up or kinked every other second so that
> milk didn't come out where it *was* supposed to.  You have to tape the
> skinny little feeding tube part on your nipple so the baby has your nipple
> and the tube in its mouth at the same time, but you better get it exactly
> right because if too much of the nipple goes into the mouth with no tube,
> the milk doesn't get to the screaming, frustrated, toothlessly-biting 
> baby,
> but if the tube is too long and protrudes beyond your nipple, then the 
> baby
> tends to chew on the tube, and the bit end of your nipple, which hurts 
> like
> a (insert swearword of choice here.)  I found the SNS cumbersome,
> complicated, frustrating, and unmanageable in every way.  I was sent home
> with one from the hospital, but I tossed it without even opening the
> package.  I couldn't see where you would bond with the baby at all using 
> an
> SNS because you'll spend all your time making sure the hose is straight 
> and
> the bottle is at the right level, and trying to attach it to the chair or
> your shoulder or the side of your head (yes, I tried all of those places) 
> so
>
> that it stays there, and pulling tape off your breasts, which also hurts
> like a (insert another swearword here.)  In my opinion, you'll bond more
> with an adopted baby just using formula in a bottle and having lots of
> cuddles and skin-to-skin contact.  Nursing at the breast isn't the only 
> way
> to bond.
>
> Jo Elizabeth
>
> "How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young,
> compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant 
> of
> the weak and the strong.  Because someday in life you will have been all 
> of
> these."--George Washington Carver, 1864-1943, American scientist
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Erin Rumer" <erinrumer at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 12:57 PM
> To: "NFB blind parent listserv" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [blparent] using an S.N.S. when blind
>
>> Hello list,
>>
>>
>>
>> Just out of plain curiosity and since my husband and I are interested in
>> possibly adopting in the future, I was wondering if any of you have used 
>> a
>> Supplemental Nursing System, (SNS) with either your biological kids or an
>> adopted baby.  For those not familiar with this device, it's a neat 
>> little
>> thing that allows you to feed the baby in a breast feeding position by
>> putting a device over your shoulder with either breast milk or formula in
>> a
>> compartment that is then distributed to the baby who is sucking on a
>> nipple
>> that is attached to your chest.  They are often times used to aid babies
>> who
>> have trouble with latch or for bonding purposes alone with babies who
>> cannot
>> be fed by the breast alone.   I've been around women using these but
>> honestly never was bold enough to ask to check it out by hand so I'm 
>> going
>> off of description here.  I've even heard of fathers using them to add to
>> the bonding experience with their babies.  I am wondering for those of 
>> you
>> who have used them or know someone who is blind that has, if it is
>> difficult
>> to use or is it no different than using a bottle and merely getting used
>> to
>> position and listening out for sounds while feeling what baby is doing?
>>
>>
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>>
>>
>> Erin
>>
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>
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