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7.1 Feeding-line device at the breast or chest

There are various types of feeding-line devices commercially available; they can also be improvised. The supplemental milk is contained in a soft pouch or bottle, and a length of fine, soft tubing reaches from the milk receptacle to the breast at the nipple/areolar complex.


© Carole Dobrich


© Carole Dobrich

As the baby suckles at the breast with the feeding line also in his mouth, milk is removed from both the breast and the feeding-line device. This is an excellent method of providing supplemental milk:

  • avoids any possibility of suck confusion
  • stimulates milk production
  • enhances the infant's suck vigor by creating a steady milk flow, and
  • lessens the likelihood of breast refusal

When to choose an at-breast feed line

It may be very useful for:

  • newborn requiring supplementation for medical reasons
  • mothers/parents with a chronic low supply failing to thrive infants who are still willing to breastfeed
  • infants with low tone (primary hypotonia or secondary due to underfeeding)
  • some cases of breast refusal in the older infant who is frustrated with a slow milk flow

Clinical tip

Newborns learn that the breast is the place which provides all their needs. An at-breast feed line can rescue a breastfeeding relationship which is threatened by poor infant-breast association.

Consider a feed line as a first choice rather than a last resort and become proficient with its use so that you can confidently assist mothers.

How to use a tube-feeding device at the breast

Assemble what you need

  • The feeding line device, assembled
  • The supplement
  • An alert baby who is willing to latch to the breast

Applying the feeding tube