FingerFeeder Local contact
Overview Benefits Useful products Downloads More information

FingerFeeder

The FingerFeeder enables small volumes of liquid to be offered to the baby. The delivery of colostrum, human milk or supplements can be carefully controlled. The soft silicone material of the device offers a gentle feeding experience. Finger feeding appears to be supportive of breastfeeding rates in the hospital. The FingerFeeder is available for hospitals only.

Local contact

Finger feeding: reinforcing natural sucking reflexes

The Medela FingerFeeder is designed for babies who require small amounts of human milk (especially their own mum’s colostrum) or other necessary supplements.

Finger feeding may be supportive to reinforce the baby’s natural sucking reflexes.

The caregiver offers the FingerFeeder by attaching it to a syringe, placing a finger in the baby’s mouth, then sliding the FingerFeeder along their finger and into the baby’s mouth. When the caregiver feels the baby attempting to suck and create a vacuum on their finger, they depress the syringe and deliver some liquid. In this way the caregiver can reinforce the baby’s natural sucking reflexes.

Benefits of the FingerFeeder

The FingerFeeder is designed for offering small amounts of colostrum, human milk or other necessary supplements to babies.

The FingerFeeder is made of soft silicone and can be reused after it has been cleaned in accordance with the instructions for use.

 

  • Encourages the baby’s natural sucking behaviour
  • Helps develop the baby’s oral feeding skills
  • Allows gentle feeding and careful control of the delivery of colostrum and human milk
  • The soft silicone material offers a gentle feeding experience
Downloads & Links
Downloads
Links
Useful products
Medela Supplemental Nursing System feeding bag Supplemental Nursing System

The Supplemental Nursing System is an ideal way to administer supplemental nutrition to babies while they are being breastfed. The system supports the unique bonding ...

Medela SpecialNeeds feeder SpecialNeeds Feeder

The SpecialNeeds Feeder is designed for babies who are unable to create a vacuum due to certain syndromes and neurological disorders, or because they were ...

Medela Babycup disposable feeder Baby Cup

The Baby Cup is a low-cost solution for the short-term feeding of human milk, supplements or medication. The Baby Cup is BPA free. ...

Medela SoftCup Advanced cup feeder SoftCup

The SoftCup is ideal for the short-term feeding babies with sucking difficulties. With its soft, spoon-shaped mouthpiece it is an easy and gentle way to ...

Medela Symphony breast pump with PersonalFit PLUS Pumpset Symphony breast pump

The Symphony breast pump with its research-based pumping programs has been developed specifically to support mothers throughout their lactation journey: to initiate, build and maintain ...

Medela Symphony program card standard 2.0 Symphony PLUS program card

The Symphony PLUS program card contains software with two different pumping programs for the hospital grade breast pump Symphony. The INITIATE program supports pump-dependent mothers ...

Symphony disposable pump set Disposable pump sets

The disposable pump sets can be used straight out of the packaging, without requiring cleaning prior to first use. The pump sets include everything that ...

Medela single reusable pump sets from Symphony Reusable pump sets

Medela reusable pump sets are designed for repeated use, so they are ideal for hospitals with traditional cleaning and sterilising practices. The reusable pump sets ...

Medela Personal Fit breast shield PersonalFit breast shields

Medela offers five sizes of breast shields to meet every mum's needs and to help ensure maximum comfort and efficiency during pumping. ...

Disposable bottles

Medela’s disposable bottles and Colostrum Container can be used straight out of the packaging. There is no need for cleaning prior to first use. ...

Medela Calesca warming and thawing device Calesca warming and thawing device

Calesca is a waterless warming and thawing device that optimises and standardises human milk processes. It can be placed on an IV pole beside each ...

References

Oddy, W.H. & Glenn, K. Implementing the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative: The role of finger feeding. Breastfeed Rev 11, 5-10 (2003).

Marmet, C. & Shell, E. Training neonates to suck correctly. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs 9, 401-407 (1984).