Dear Mary Kay,
Jan DeCoopman has an interesting chapter on Alternative Methods of
Supplementation in "BF Management for Health Professionals"(2nd ed. 1995).
It has a chart of Pros and Cons of each method: droppers (time consuming),
cups, spoons (time consuming),  nursing supplementer, fingerfeeding &
bottles. pp. 95-98.   I think these pros and cons need to be considered
when considering protocols.  They are very practical.

Also there is a sample cup feeding protocol in Biancuzzo's new book, pg.
376-377.  There
are other cup feeding protocols floating around from Linda Kutner and WHO.

I am one of those who think the method of supplementing needs to fit into
what the parents can handle (sometimes that's only a bottle!) and what you
are trying to accomplish (teach baby to BF, get some calories in STAT etc).
 I've personally had better success with fingerfeeding. Parental comfort
and LC comfort have a lot to do with choice of method.   I have found
babies are adaptable, but quickly become fond of whatever method is used,
making the transition back to breast problematic.  That is probably why
supplementing at breast seems to  be the least invasive for baby, but I
think moms have more trouble with it.  Mentally I think finger feeding
mimics bottle feeding and is therefore more "normal" a way to supp in mom's
mind.  There isn't any simple answer.

Sincerely, Pat in SNJ

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