DIY Supplemental nursing system

DIY Supplemental Nursing System (SNS)

Kaya Thorpe IBCLC (2022) - revised December 2025 by Lucy Lowe IBCLC

What is a Supplemental Nursing System?

A Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) is a way of providing extra milk at the breast so that a baby continues to latch, stimulate the breast, and practice breastfeeding while receiving the milk they need. This can help when:

Your baby needs more milk than you are currently producing

You are working on increasing supply

Your baby is learning to breastfeed after a difficult start

You prefer to avoid bottles or want to keep baby at the breast

A DIY SNS uses a thin feeding tube placed alongside the nipple. When baby latches and sucks, they receive milk directly from the breast and from the tube.

About Nasogastric (NG) Tubes in DIY SNS Use

Nasogastric tubes (NG tubes) are designed for medical tube feeding—milk is delivered directly into baby’s stomach through the nose and oesophagus. Families sometimes choose to use these tubes as part of a DIY SNS because they are inexpensive and widely available.

NG tubes are not designed or approved for this purpose, but many families do use them safely. Please make an informed decision about whether this is right for you, and always seek ongoing support from a breastfeeding specialist.

Ongoing Support and Monitoring

If you are using an SNS:

Keep in touch with a Breastfeeding Specialist/IBCLC

Ensure regular weight checks with a Health Care Practitioner using calibrated scales

Review supplement volumes regularly to avoid unnecessary or prolonged top‑ups

Ready‑Made SNS Options

There are three main ready‑made systems:

Medela SNS – widely available

LatchAid SNS – can be harder to obtain quickly in the UK

Haakaa system – recently released, but the tubing is wide and may be difficult for some babies

If you expect to use an SNS long‑term, a commercial system may be more cost‑effective and durable.

DIY SNS Supplies

For a DIY version, the following feeding tubes are often used:

Feeding Tubes - The Vet Store

Feeding Tubes Size 5FG - IMS Euro (longer length, often easier to use)

You will need:

A Size 5 French (5F) tube

A 5ml or 10ml syringe for flushing the tube (pharmacies and online retailers supply these)

A sterilised bottle and teat OR a bottle with an enlarged teat hole for threading the tube through

How to Set Up a DIY SNS

Prepare your bottle
Use a sterilised open bottle
Or cut/enlarge the hole of a bottle teat and pass the tubing through
Prepare the tube
The open/close valve can be cut off or placed inside the bottle in the open position
Thread the tube into the milk so that the end sits below the milk surface
Position the tube at the breast
Place the end of the tube along your nipple so your baby takes it into their mouth as they latch
Some families prefer to latch first and slide the tube in after
If using a nipple shield, place the tube under the shield
Ensure the tube sits comfortably and does not cause gagging
You may tape the tube to your breast for stability
Adjust the flow
Milk flows faster when the bottle is held higher
Lower the bottle to slow the flow

Cleaning a DIY SNS

NG tubes are single‑use medical items, and in hospital they are replaced after up to 72 hours when used as intended (inside the body).

When used externally at the breast, the tube is exposed to hands, skin and the environment, so cleanliness is even more important.

Key Points

Replace the tubing ideally every 24 hours. With very careful cleaning, you may be able to use the tube for 72hrs.

Replace sooner if using formula (formula grows bacteria more quickly)

Always check the tube for damage or discolouration before use

Be especially careful if your baby is premature, sick, or medically vulnerable

Cleaning Steps (After Every Use)

Wash your hands and clean any surfaces.
Flush the tube with cold water using a syringe (at least 3 times).
Wash in hot, soapy water, then flush again with hot water.
Spin the tube to remove droplets and allow it to air‑dry somewhere clean.
Store in a clean Ziplock bag in the fridge.

Important:
Any demonstration tube used in a public place, eg at our feeding support cafes, should be discarded after one use, not reused at home.

Tips for Using an SNS

Try to use the SNS when your baby is calm—not very hungry or crying

Latch baby first, then introduce the tube, or use the SNS on the second breast

Ensure formula is well‑mixed with no lumps (lumps cause tube blockages)

Warm breastmilk can help prevent fat sticking inside the tube

For older babies, a nursing necklace can help prevent pulling

Practise while you have support, or when other children are settled

You don’t need to use the SNS at every feed—find a rhythm that works for you

Weaning From an SNS

Some families need an SNS long‑term, while others only require short‑term supplementation.

Signs you may be able to reduce supplements:

Baby transfers milk well at the breast

Baby finishes supplements more quickly

Weight gain is steady and appropriate

How to Reduce Supplement Amounts

Always weigh baby before reducing supplements and monitor regularly

Lower the bottle height to slow milk flow

Temporarily pinch (clamp) the tube during active swallowing at the breast

Reduce the number of feeds using the SNS—mornings are often a good place to start

Always reduce supplements gradually and ideally under guidance of your IBCLC, Health Visitor or other Health Care Professional.

Links and references

Homemade Supplemental Nursing System - Breastfeeding Support

https://youtu.be/4jBQO0viVvw

Nancy Mohrbacher; Alternative Feeding Methods, taken from Breastfeeding Answers 2nd Edition

Lucy Ruddle (2020) Relactation: A guide to rebuilding your milk supply.