The Hazelbaker feeder (marketed by Medela) is a silicone finger feeder
device that arose out of many resourceful LCs creating makeshift finger
feeder setups with feeding tube tubing and bottles with nipples having holes
cut in them.  It is simiply just another alternative method of getting the
milk (either EBM or Artificial Substitute) into baby theoretically without
causing nipple confusion.  One word of caution however, susceptible babies
can and do become  imprinted to the finger feeding just like they would with
a bottle/nipple.  The advantage of the Hazelbaker is that you can regulate
the flow so that you only allow milk through when the infant sucks
correctly.  This is not to say that it is a panacea.  The finger feeder does
not provide nipple stimulation for the mom as an SNS would, but in cases
where mom cannot have the baby on the breast it can work beautifully.  Dads
like it because they can use it and not be accused of causing nipple
confusion (they need to be trained and again, they can still cause a
confusion issue).  Another downside, as with the SNS, is the contamination
issue with the tubing.  I've often visited moms 2-3 weeks out who say
they've not been told about changing the tubing.  It is often clogged with
caked/coagulated milk even when they've been "cleaning" the tubing.

For long term supplementation where I don't think the SNS will work, I often
use the Haberman bottle (also by Medela) as opposed to the Hazelbaker.  Moms
with more than one child, or who are exceptionally stressed out, or a child
who will need to work its way back to the breast over a long period (e.g. an
extremely agressive non-nursing baby) will often continue with the Haberman
a lot longer than the SNS.  The Haberman must be shown and reviewed in
detail--not just handed over to the mom.  Again, I've encountered many a mom
who has not received ANY instruction on how to use this device and is
totally unaware that those little lines on top indicate the rate of flow.
The idea behind the Haberman is that the nipple is shapped so that baby can
be trained to take a lot in his mouth and he must compress the nipple to
trigger the membrane to allow flow.  Again, we can see nipple confusion, but
it is less likely than with "regular" nipples/bottle set-ups.  I also use
Habermans with clefts that aren't readily getting onto the breast.

It would be great if we never needed these, but I for one are happy to have
them available (thank you Medela).  I hope my explanation is clear.
Warmly,
Chris
--
--Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC    [log in to unmask]
INFANT CUISINE AND MOTHER CARE: Lactation Consulting, Perinatal Health
Education and Attachment Parenting Classes for parents and practitioners

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