I just put up some pictures and instructions on how to combine the tube of a nursing supplementer with a bottle nipple, for use in getting babies used to feeding in a position where they can reach the breast.  Some moms have used it with a nipple shield, too.  I thought of it one night in 1991, while I was trying to think of something to get my over the hump in my several month's long battle to get my daughter, Julia, to the breast.  It worked like a charm, and has been used with many other babies, since then. What it does is get the baby comfortable in a position where they could take the breast.  Mom can start baby out in the position he's comfortable in and then gradually turn him closer, as soon as he becomes more comfortable. Once he's starting out feedings with the bottle nipple placed directly over the breast, what usually works is to let them take most of the supplement they need and then, when they are mostly asleep, but still sucking, move the nipple and see if he will take the breast.  Sometimes, it helps to go to a nipple shield after that.  Of course, you adapt it to fit the situation, but it has helped many 
situations.  I am learning more and more all the time, how far and wide 
it is used, now.  

It tends to take a lot of patience and creativity to lovingly lead a baby down the path to being nurtured and fed at the breast, but it can be done!  It's especially true of a baby who has been traumatized, whether through parental abuse or neglect, accident, or medical procedures. Usually, the course of breastfeeding progresses as if there had never been a problem!

Anyway, I haven't seen many pictures on Lactnet, so I hope these are OK.  They aren't that great, I should have posted them in opposite order. I had to use my granddaughter's teddy bear as a baby.  I didn't think of taking pictures when I was going through the process with Julia.  By the way, Julia is now 22 and has told me many times that she appreciates the fact that I went through so much effort so that she couldn't be a nursing baby, like her siblings who were adopted when they were much younger. She says she still remembers how safe and comforted she felt when she was nursing.

This only works with a nipple with one hole it in, which is small enough to seal round the tube.  It can be used with either a latex or silicone nipple, although it is a bit easier with latex.  Silicone can tear easily, so care needs to be taken in inserting the tube.  A plastic needle is a bit better than metal, but either works.
          

 		 	   		  
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