Lact-Aid Deluxe Nursing Trainer System …

Here's my background: I have extremely low supply issues after struggling for six months now with initial supply and latch issues. I have visited with two hospital LCs and NEITHER mentioned this kind of alternative - instead they only focused on latch technique. I happened upon this by searching on Amazon for Medela products. I have not tried the Medela alternative, but I do use their InStyle Pump to keep up my milk production as much as possible. Because of my low supply, my baby has become frustrated with nursing and will often fight/scream at the idea of nursing or not nurse long enough to maintain/improve supply. My suspicions that pumping alone would not keep my supply up or improve it in the long term were confirmed by experience and the confirmation of a doctor. His response was that it comes down to a "mechanical issue" with milk removal. Pumping and nursing seem worlds apart in the milk removal department. Pumping just hasn't done the best job of removing all the milk. Therefore, I took the chance (and the expense) to try this out.We received it yesterday around noon and I have successfully nursed baby three times which is a MIRACLE considering the last few weeks of utter frustration. She is six months old and each time she nursed, she nursed to satisfaction and fell asleep a very happy baby.Here's what I noticed:1) It does promote a consist and productive latch. It is evident that she is getting all the breastmilk I can produce and the supplement of formula. She nursed significantly longer and removed all the milk I had.2) It pays to get extra trainers and prepare them in advance. It can be time consuming, but well worth the effort before baby gets hungry and impatient.3) It is easy to store the prepped bags using coffee cups or something else that can keep the bag upright when not in use. It is also easier to fill using a small coffee cup to "hang" the bag in.4) Medical tape is your best approach for keeping the delicate tubing in place as well as reinforcing the connection of the trainer with the bag of formula/breastmilk. The connection was loose on one attempt and we did get a big spill before I realized that I should reinforce the bag to the trainer. It also kept her from yanking and potentially destroying the very delicate tubing. The gentle, paper-like tape is easier to use and remove without damaging the product.5) It can be used with a nipple shield. I used one for the first nursing session and was able to continue without it once she realized that she could get all the flow she wanted.6) Once you finish nursing with the Lact-Aid, rinse it immediately. If you can't wash it right away, leave it in a bowl of clean water to keep it from drying. The formula can thicken and it is definitely harder to clean if you allow that to happen.7) If your baby gets fussy with nursing like mine has, I have noticed that she is more receptive if she's a little drowsy and not terribly hungry. Otherwise she doesn't have the patience to latch properly.All in all, it isn't a perfect system, but it is well worth it. I wish I had discovered this months ago. I would have used this in the beginning to help build supply and help her learn to latch properly and consistently. If you know a mother struggling to breastfeed, recommend it to her.Remember that there is a learning curve. If you've never used one before, it's definitely a new experience. Be patient, be positive, and be prepared to give it a few tries especially if your baby is fussy.No more tears of frustration for me and soon that'll be the case for baby (when she realizes that the days of insufficient flow are behind us). We're on our way to happy, productive nursing!

I have a like/hate relationship with this system-mostly hate! I like it because I'd be lost with out it- I have low milk supply AND my baby will not take a bottle which leaves me with having to use this. I use mostly formula but sometimes use donated breast milk.I hate that the little tube leaks and drops milk all over all the place on me and on the baby and on everything all the time--- I finally discovered that there are two tiny notches in the plastic ring to push the tube into which holds the tube upright so it doesn't leak but the tube pops out of the notch SO EASILY! Also it is usually hard to find/feel for this notch leading to more frustration. The tiny parts are hard to clean and is very time consuming, I have a little baby and I don't have the time or the patience to be fiddling with these tiny parts. I am counting down the days for when my baby can eat solid food! For now, I'm stuck with this PAIN in the A thing!! In the same breath-what would I do with out this invention?? I would like to try the other brand/design but this was expensive and the other one doesn't have good reviews, I think I'll just have to stick it out....!!

I've been waiting to write this post because it has been such an emotional ride for me. I went from hating it to loving it. Yes, loving it. Here's my journey:Baby #1 (2011): I tried for 3 months to breastfeed using the SNS and the Lact-aid, and gave up (in tears) because they were both so hard. I couldn't get my daughter to latch on well, and it was nearly impossible with a tube there. We had to latch on and off to get the tube in place... it worked twice a day max, the rest of the time both baby and I were frustrated and in tears. I ended up bottle feeding at 3 months. (The underlying issue was poor baby suction and low supply.)Baby #2 (2014): After two weeks of breastfeeding, it was apparent that it was going to be the same; low baby suction and low supply. This time I started the SNS right away and had some success: the biggest difference was when the lactation consultant said to LATCH BABY FIRST, then slide the tube gently into the corner of his mouth. Bingo! He was able to continue to feed without interruption. I used the SNS 8-12 times a day, ugh!! It was tricky and messy and made baby gassy. I switched to the Lact-Aid and life was easier. No more leaking and a lot less washing. I bought 4 tubes and washed and filled them 2 times a day, but it was still tricky (as in frustrating to the point that I threw one across the room). 2 months in and it was a lot better because we were faster at cleaning and filling.Update: Now I've been using the Lact-Aid for 7 months!! My supply has increased from baby taking 1/2 breastmilk and 1/2 formula to almost all breastmilk. I use the Lact-Aid 3 times a day and not at night (He's eating solids 3x a day.) For me, it was totally worth it because the breastmilk he is getting is great, but even if he was getting mostly formula from it, the breastfeeding relationship has been amazing.Update: 8-10 months and baby eats enough solids and I'm finally producing enough milk. Totally off of the Lact-Aid and formula. It was a rough ride but I'm happy and grateful for the help from Lact-Aid. (Happy Dance) :)TIPS:1. When assembling, forget the rickety blue stand. Hold the bag in your right hand with the funnel inside. Have the ring already on the straw. Fill the bag, insert the straw, and slide the ring down over the bag. Then clamp shut. Flip upside down placing the straw into the corner and squeeze out the excess air. Twist the tube around the neck and press into one notch, then again through the other notch to prevent leaking.2. Make multiple bags to keep in the fridge. When out and about, I would take two pre-filled bags in a water bottle with ice. If I could anticipate in time, I put one in my shirt about 20-30 min before feeding (ACCK, cold!). Or bring a hot water bottle or ask for a cup of hot water to heat. For long journeys, I'd bring extra dry bags and dry formula to assemble.3. Clothing: I had the best luck with a nursing shirt that folded over and a higher cut nursing bra (Bravado) that could hold the bag in place/hide it.BRA:http://www.amazon.com/Bravado-Designs-Womens-Seamless-Nursing/dp/B00DX6VJ4Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1444768330&sr=1-1&nodeID=1285234011SHIRT: http://www.amazon.com/Milk-Nursingwear-Womens-Nursing-Top-M-Berry/dp/B00DC7AKW6/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1444768406&sr=8-25&keywords=nursing+shirt

I personally did not like this product. I have a very low milk supply and was really hoping I could use this to feed only from the breasts; however, this was very complicated. I had the hardest time keeping the straw in place, I thought I got it, 15 min. later realize my baby wasn't getting anything from the straw, and had to pour in a bottle and serve. Cost way too much for something that didn't work for us.