Medela FingerFeeder, 5 ST

The Medela FingerFeeder is a gentle feeding aid for babies with sucking difficulties. It allows small amounts of milk to be administered in a controlled manner as part of the daily routine.

The FingerFeeder allows small amounts of liquid to be given to the baby. This enables the administration of colostrum, breast milk or supplementary feeds to be carefully monitored. The mouthpiece, made from soft silicone, allows for gentle feeding. Feeding with the FingerFeeder appears to increase breastfeeding rates in hospitals. The FingerFeeder is available to healthcare professionals only.

Finger feeding: strengthens natural sucking reflexes

The Medela FingerFeeder has been developed for babies who require small amounts of breast milk (particularly their own mother’s colostrum) or other essential supplements.

Finger-feeding can also help to stimulate the baby’s natural sucking reflex. After attaching the FingerFeeder to a syringe, the person feeding the baby places a finger in the baby’s mouth and slides the FingerFeeder along their finger into the baby’s mouth. When they feel the baby trying to suck and create a vacuum around their finger, they squeeze the syringe, which then dispenses a small amount of liquid. This helps to train the baby’s natural sucking reflex.

Benefits of the FingerFeeder

The FingerFeeder has been designed to provide babies with small amounts of colostrum, breast milk or other necessary supplements. Made from soft silicone, the FingerFeeder can be reused after cleaning in accordance with the instructions for use.

• Promotes the baby’s natural sucking behaviour
• Supports the baby’s oral feeding
• Enables gentle feeding and the carefully controlled administration of colostrum and breast milk
• The soft silicone ensures gentle feeding

Dosage form

Feeding aid

Usage

Feeding:

• Fit the FingerFeeder onto a syringe for oral feeding (10 or 20 ml). I Insert the plunger into the syringe so that there is a small amount of air between the liquid and the plunger. (This ensures that the infant can be given the entire amount of liquid or supplementary feed in the syringe. Without the air, you may not be able to empty the syringe completely.)
• Fill the syringe with the prescribed amount of liquid. I Hold the infant in a slightly upright sitting position or wrapped in a cloth on your lap.
• Touch the infant’s lip with your finger to encourage the infant to open their mouth.
• Wait until the infant opens their mouth wide. Then insert your (index) finger into the infant’s mouth so that your fingertip touches the hard upper palate. Move your finger gently until your fingernail rests on the baby’s tongue. Take care not to trigger the gag reflex.
• When the infant begins to suck, gently slide the FingerFeeder next to your finger into the corner of the infant’s mouth – up to approximately the middle of the first finger joint.
• Squeeze the syringe and administer a small amount of liquid. Wait until the infant has swallowed this portion of liquid, then administer the next portion and so on. Try to follow the infant’s sucking and swallowing rhythm whilst feeding.
• Make sure the baby does not swallow air.
• Medela recommends recording the amount of liquid given to the infant during each finger-feeding session.

Materials

Material: silicone