What is Syringe Feeding a baby? Its Steps And Tips

The technique is helpful for babies who can’t suck, but doing it properly is important.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Dur Afshar Agha, MS Dr. Dur Afshar Agha Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Masters of Tropical PediatricsExperience: 26 years
Written by , BSc, MBA Rohit Garoo BSc, MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Baby Health and WellnessExperience: 9 years
Edited by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , B.Tech Anindita Ghatak B.Tech Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years
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Steps For Syringe Feeding A Baby

Image: ShutterStock

Feeding a baby with a syringe is an inevitable choice when a baby can’t nurse from the breast. Generally, babies are born with an innate ability to suckle and consume breast milk. However, there may be various reasons why a baby can’t do it. In such instances, feeding a baby with a syringe can help them consume breast milk.

Breast milk is vital for babies as it helps them stay nourished and hydrated. Besides, it provides them antibodiesiDefensive proteins of the immune system that protect the body from the harmful effects of foreign invaders that help against illnesses (1). Hence, syringe feeding, which enables precise control of feeding amounts, is recommended until the baby starts breastfeeding naturally.

Read this post to know about syringe feeding, when it is needed, steps to feed your baby with a syringe, and precautions to observe.

In This Article

What Is Syringe Feeding?

Syringe feeding allows the baby to consume the mother’s milk through specialized infant feeding syringes. The breast milk is expressed into a sterile vessel and drawn into a feeding syringe. The technique is quite commonly used to feed colostrumiThe first milk produced immediately after childbirth, which is rich in immunity-providing elements , which is very low in volume, to newborns unable to breastfeed.

During syringe feeding, the tip of the syringe is placed on the side of the baby’s mouth to enable feeding. Some syringes have an attached fine feeding tube, which can be inserted into the baby’s mouth. The type of syringe used may vary depending on several factors, including the doctor’s recommendation, your baby’s health, and reasons behind the baby’s inability to breastfeed.

When Is Syringe Feeding Done?

Syringe feeding is practiced when breastfeeding is not possible because the baby cannot suckle or the mother cannot breastfeed. Elizabeth Cauvel, a mother, shares how her newborn did not latch which is why she had to choose syringe-feeding, “My baby simply declined the breast. Despite the L&D nurses’ repeated attempts, my son could not or would not latch. I hand-expressed drops of egg yolk-colored colostrum into a syringe so we could feed him (i).” Below are certain scenarios where syringe feeding may be considered (2).

  • Preterm babies with poor primitive reflexesiReflexes that facilitate the development of vital skills in a newborn
  • Drowsy baby due to labor-inducing drugs
  • Babies recovering from birth interventions
  • Babies born with medical conditions or birth defects, such as cleft lipiA birth abnormality presenting as a split or opening in the lip or the roof of the mouth in babies or cleft palate
  • Baby is unable to latch on the breast temporarily
  • The mother is unable to feed her baby immediately

How To Feed A Newborn With A Syringe?

Below are the steps involved in feeding a baby with a syringe (3) (4).

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water to ensure hand hygiene.
Wash your hands before feeding

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Sit in a comfortable position. Express breast milk in a sterile container, vessel, or flask.
  1. Hold and wrap your baby securely while settling into a comfortable position. You may use a pillow to support the baby.
Use a pillow for support during baby syringe feeding

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Take a clean infant feeding syringe recommended by the doctor. Draw the milk, press the plunger to remove the air bubble, and place the syringe aside. Ensure the feeding nozzle/tip does not touch any surface.
  1. Use your little finger to stimulate the baby’s lips and encourage them to open their mouth.
Use your little finger to stimulate the baby's lips

Image: IStock

  1. Put your finger inside the mouth such that the pad of the finger touches the baby’s palate (roof of the mouth). The baby will begin to suck at the finger.
  1. Once you sense the baby sucking at the finger, use the other hand to gently insert the syringe’s tip along the side of the baby’s mouth. Do not push it deep. The syringe should be between the gum and the cheek or between the side of the baby’s tongue and your finger.
Use both hands to syringe feed your baby

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Gently push the plunger so that the milk flows into the baby’s mouth.
  1. Push the plunger again each time the baby completes a sucking motion, that is, swallows the milk. You must push no more than 0.2 milliliters of milk at a time
  1. Stop pushing the milk when the baby stops making the feeding/sucking motion. Resume once the baby begins. Continue feeding until the baby stops.

protip_icon Quick tip
SplayingiThe act of stretching out wide fingers and toes, spilling milk from the mouth, turning head away, or pushing the syringe away indicate that the baby has finished feeding and does not need any more milk (8).

In most cases, babies who are syringe-fed may be required to stay in the hospital for extra time. Therefore, the mother may find support from a midwife, nurse, or lactation consultant who can guide and assist her during syringe feeding.

Tips And Precautions When Syringe Feeding

Here are some useful tips and precautions to safely syringe-feed your baby (5) (6).

  1. Always use your little finger to open the baby’s mouth. Using another finger may cause some babies to gag.
  1. There are several types of infant feeding syringes with respective accoutermentsiAdditional items, accessories, or components of clothing . Most do not hold more than one milliliter of milk.  Ask your pediatrician about the precise type of syringe and feeding tubes for infants you may need to feed the baby. Do not pick a syringe without consulting the doctor first.
protip_icon Point to consider
Syringe feeding is suitable for babies requiring less than 5ml of milk at a time. Once the volume of milk increases, syringe feeding should be replaced with cup feeding if the baby still can’t breastfeed (8) (9).
  1. Make sure you decide the place and your position to hold the baby securely before you begin. It is especially necessary when you are feeding the baby alone.
Hold the baby securely when feeding with a syringe

Image: Shutterstock

  1. Do not place the baby flat in your lap since it may cause them to choke. Instead, place them in a partially upright position.
  1. Always use a sterile container to collect the expressed milk. Thaw any frozen milk before drawing it into a syringe.
  1. Avoid using the syringe to feed medicines since the drug may react with traces of milk inside the syringe. Maintain a separate feeding syringe to administer medicines to the baby.
  1. Flush the syringe and tubing with warm water after use. Clean it with soapy water and let it air dry. Thorough washing with soap and water is often sufficient to sterilize certain infant feeding syringes.
  1. Some syringes are only meant for a fixed number of feeds. Check it on the packaging or ask your healthcare provider about it.
  1. Purchase sealed infant feeding syringes and tubes that are pre-sterilized. If they are not pre-sterilized, look for information on the packaging or contact the manufacturer to learn about appropriate sterilization techniques.
  1. Some syringes could be dishwasher-safe. You may sterilize them in a dishwasher. If the manufacturer recommends it, you may disassemble parts of the syringe, place them in a pot of water, and boil for five minutes to sterilize it.
protip_icon Be watchful
Do not syringe feed a baby who is asleep or crying. Instead, feed them when they are awake, alert, and calm to prevent choking (8).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is a syringe feeding better than a bottle?

Syringe feeding could be better than bottle-feeding for preterm infants as it possesses less risk of infections. Feeding preterm infants through syringes might also avoid nipple confusioniA phenomenon where babies have trouble switching from a bottle to the breast , a common occurrence in bottle-fed preterm infants. Syringe feeding also requires more parental involvement, which might benefit the infant (7).

2. Can I syringe feed formula?

The syringe feeding method is a versatile technique not just limited to delivering breast milk to babies. It can also be used to feed formula to infants. However, care must be taken so that the formula milk for your baby is dissolved when preparing and does not block the syringe nozzle.

3. What are alternative feeding techniques?

Alternative feeding techniques are used when the baby cannot consume milk directly from the breasts. These methods include syringe feeding, hand feeding, bottle feeding, cup feeding, and spoon feeding. Alternative feeding techniques are used until the baby starts to breastfeed successfully (8).

4. How long does breast milk last in a syringe?

Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, a California-based pediatrician, says, “Expressed breast milk can be stored directly in clean syringes in the coldest part of the refrigerator for 24-48 hours and in the coldest part of the freezer for up to 6 months. However, once the baby’s mouth has touched the syringe tip, any leftover breast milk should be discarded after one hour.”

5. What signs indicate that my baby may need syringe feeding?

If your baby appears lethargic, is not feeding well, or is losing weight, these may be indicators that syringe feeding may be necessary. Babies who are sleepy, have a weak suck or are unable to coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing may require supplemental feeding using a syringe or other feeding method to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition.

Feeding a baby with a syringe may become a necessity if they have latching issues, congenital facial abnormalities, or if the mother is not in a condition to breastfeed. This technique requires sterilized extraction equipment and syringes. It is recommended to consult a medical professional or a lactation consultant to learn the procedure of syringe feeding. They will also help you determine the right syringe feeding type for your baby. Ensure to maintain proper personal hygiene, position yourself and your baby comfortably, and start and stop feeding your baby based on their sucking reflex cues. Also, remember to clean the equipment after the feeding and replace them if needed.

Infographic: How To Tell If Your Baby Is Full During Syringe Feeding?

It is essential to follow your baby’s cues to feed them adequately through a syringe. Overfeeding or underfeeding can cause problems. Checking growth and weight gain at regular intervals is also vital to determine if the syringe feeding is going fine. Check out the infographic to learn cues that your baby is full during syringe feeding.

cues that your baby is full during syringe feeding (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Key Pointers

  • Syringe feeding employs specialized infant feeding syringes to feed the mother’s milk to the baby.
  • It is considered in preterm births and other conditions when the baby cannot suckle or the mother cannot nurse.
  • Always use a sterile container and a separate feeding syringe to collect and administer expressed breast milk.
  • After each use, flush the syringe and tubing with warm water and sterilize it.

Illustration: How To Syringe Feed A Baby? 10 Steps To Follow

baby syringe feeding_illustration

Image: Dalle E/MomJunction Design Team


Learn how to safely and effectively use syringe feeding tools to feed your infant. Get tips on the best tools and techniques to ensure your baby is getting the nutrition they need.

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. Lazy eater;
https://humanparts.medium.com/lazy-eater-25adad2173b8

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Breastfeeding; World Health Organization
2. Syringe feeding your baby; St Vincent’s Private Hospital
3. Breastfeeding: Finger feeding using a fine tube or syringe; King Edward Memorial Hospital
4. Syringe and cup feeding your baby; NHS UK
5. Using a Syringe to Feed Your Child Formula or Breastmilk; Seattle Children’s Hospital
6. How to Clean, Sanitize, and Store Infant Feeding Items Frequently Asked Questions; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
7. Birgül Say et al; Evaluation of Syringe Feeding Compared to Bottle Feeding for the Transition from Gavage Feeding to Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants; The Journal of Pediatric Research.
8. Alternative methods of feeding your baby: syringe, spoon, cup and bottle feeding; NHS University Hospital Southampton
9. Cup and Syringe Feeding Guideline for Neonates; NHS Foundation Trust

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Dr. Dur Afshar Agha
Dr. Dur Afshar AghaMS
Dr. Dur Afshar Agha is a consultant pediatrician with around 26 years of experience in various medical facilities both in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She has headed the Department of Preventive Pediatrics at the prestigious, Children’s Hospital and Institute of Child Health in Pakistan and is a life member of the Pakistan Paediatric Association.

Read full bio of Dr. Dur Afshar Agha
  • Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett
    Dr. Pierrette Mimi PoinsettMD Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett is a licensed pediatrician and a health advocate with 19 years of experience. She completed her doctor of medicine from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and is currently practicing as a medical consultant in California.
    Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett is a licensed pediatrician and a health advocate with 19 years of experience. She completed her doctor of medicine from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and is currently practicing as a medical consultant in California.
Rohit Garoo
Rohit GarooBSc, MBA
Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University.

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Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

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Anindita Ghatak
Anindita GhatakB.Tech
Anindita Ghatak holds a B.Tech degree in Biotechnology from Amity University, Kolkata. During the course of her studies, she has worked on different research projects in the fields of Microbiology and Bioinformatics. Anindita has over three years of experience writing medical articles for journals.

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