From Linda's post, I understand that a vacuum should be formed which draws
milk into the reservoir, but I have found that unless baby is sucking well
this doesn't happen.  Milk does flow by gravity, but it doesn't draw milk
into the reservoir unless baby sucks.  Am I misunderstanding how this works
Linda?  Or am I using it wrong?


Cindi -

Whether the milk is removed by gravity or by baby suckling the vacuum in the
rounded portion should be created.  I usually try to get the rounded part
1/3 to 1/2 full BEFORE the baby latches.  When the milk leaves the rounded
part by any method as long as the bottle is above the rounded part, vacuum
is created.  That vacuum would create a difference in pressures between the
bottle and the rounded tip.  This vacuum will draw the white membrane toward
the rounded tip and allow milk to pass through the valve until the pressures
are equalized.

Gravity will allow milk to flow as long as the tubing is not in baby's
mouth.  Once the tube is in baby's mouth with a good seal on the breast, it
appears that the oral pressures are sufficient not to allow gravity to be
the only force that makes the milk flow.  Now, I have not used a pressure
transducer to verify this but from watching, it appears this is the reason
that gravity does not make as much difference.  Having said that, if the SNS
is held higher there is more help from gravity so it does make a difference
but is not the only reason that the milk flows.

I hope this makes sense.

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
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www.eBESTFed.com

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