Medela Haberman Feeder Order the feeder? Does your baby have difficulty feeding? Be reassured, you are not alone. Many babies born each year experience feeding problems for a wide variety of reasons.  The Haberman Feeder has been developed specifically to help your baby.  The Mini-Haberman Feeder is a smaller version for smaller or premature infants. The Haberman feeder was invented by a mother whose baby was born with Stickler's Syndrome.  She experienced the misery of feeding problems and recognized the need for a specialized feeder.  Five years of research and development have resulted in a product which really can transform feeding from a traumatic experience into a relaxed and rewarding activity for both you and your baby.  Its innovative design provides the answer to lengthy, distressful feedings, and an alternative to nasogastric tube or spoon feedings.  It is suitable for all babies for whom oral feeding is recommended. First introduced to the United Kingdom in 1987, the Haberman Feeder has been widely used for babies suffering from ailments such as cleft palate, chromosomal abnormality, cardiac conditions, neuromuscular weakness, mental handicap, cerebral palsy and it works great for the breastfed infant in the absence of mom. In cases of severe feeding problems, the Haberman Feeder offers an alternative to spoons, enlarged and /or extra holes in bottle nipples, and nasogastric tubes. It is so effective and easy to use that it can change feeding sessions from difficult or traumatic experience into a pleasurable activity for health care professionals, parents and babies. Special design features make the Haberman Feeder uniquely responsive to the baby’s nursing efforts. The slit-valve in the teat regulates milk flow from zero to maximum, depending on it’s orientation in the baby’s mouth.  As milk is drawn out of the teat by even the slightest action of the baby’s tongue and gums, air enters the bottle at the same rate through an inlet groove in the disc. Consequently, there is no turbulence.  Milk flows in only one direction - from bottle to teat. The reservoir always remains full, and none of the baby’s effort is wasted. If the baby cannot nurse at all, or needs a little help, the health care professional or mother can squeeze and release a limited amount of milk - 1.25 ml (about ¼ teaspoon) - from the reservoir into the baby’s mouth. Warning: The Haberman and Mini-Haberman Feeders are unsuitable for babies with a poor swallow reflex. Do not use the Feeders without the valve. Whatever your baby's condition, the Haberman Feeder is here to help you. Medela Haberman Feeder Rewards the Weakest Suck In conventional feeders, much of the baby's effort is wasted on compression of air within the container and movement of feed within the system.  However, the unique Haberman teat is separated from the container by a one-way valve.  Once filled, milk is held in the teat and cannot flow back into the container.  All your baby's sucking effort is directed onto the contents of the teat, so even the weakest suck gets results. Never Floods Enlarging the hole of an ordinary teat does not solve your feeding problems.  Your baby cannot stop the flow of feed in order to relax and breathe.  Panic and choking soon result.  The Haberman feeder has a slit-valve in the mouthpiece which only opens when your baby sucks.  Your baby has complete control and is never overwhelmed.  It also has the advantage of variable flow.  Graduation from a large opening. down to a shut position, can be achieved to suit the individual needs of your baby.  Whichever opening you select, it will always shut between sucks.   May reduce gas, vomiting and colic Many babies swallow air while using some ordinary feeders.  This is because a vacuum builds up inside the system and the baby must release his lips from the teat to allow air back in.  Consequently, air is swallowed with the next mouthful of feed causing gas, vomiting and colic.  The Haberman Feeder may reduce air-swallowing.  It has a special air inlet groove which allows air in at the same rate as feed is released from the system.  There is no vacuum to work against your baby's sucking efforts and air-swallowing is avoided.  Even babies with cleft palates benefit significantly from this feature. You can help your baby to feed If your baby needs some additional help, you can gently squeeze and release the reservoir of the teat.  This will deliver a controlled amount of feed into your baby's mouth.  The full teat has a natural resistance which prevents you from squeezing too hard. Cleaning the Haberman After each feeding: Flush cold water through the slit in the teat to remove as much feed as possible. (DO NOT turn the teat inside out or push brushes, etc. through the slit.) Take the feeder apart, making sure that the valve membrane is separated from the disc.  Wash all parts in warm soapy water.  Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Each Day: All disassembled parts of the feeder should be sanitized by boiling, preferably in distilled water for 5 minutes of  boiling time. If hard water deposits occur, use distilled water or occasionally boil in a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar. They can be sterilized in only  3  minutes quickly using the new the Medela Micro- Steam bags in the microwave. Important: Consult your doctor before using the Haberman or Mini-Haberman Feeder for the first time, in order to make sure that oral feeding is recommended for your baby.  Your doctor should tell you the appropriate amount of weight your baby should gain in a specified time frame.  If your baby does not gain this amount of weight, contact your doctor or other health care provider.  Always inspect parts thoroughly before each use. Components: 1 Container, 1-teat, 1-Disc, 1-valve membrane, 1-collar. These items are available as separate parts for replacement. It is recommended to purchase two feeders in the beginning, so you would have spare parts if one became damaged or lost. While borrowing a part from the other feeder, you could then order only the part needed and would have a working feeder until it arrived. If you phone in the order, it can be shipped via First Class mail for a lower shipping fee for a small inexpensive part. Feeding Your Baby 1. Relax 2. Select the flow rate To adjust the rate of flow, turn the feeder so that the required line (zero, medium or maximum) points towards your baby's nose.  If baby has a weak suck, start with the teat positioned between the medium and longest line, then adjust as necessary.  Us eth zero flow if your baby needs to get used to the teat before feeding begins.  When your baby has settled, gently increase the flow.  Reduce it an start again if your baby shows signs of distress. 3. Helping your baby to feed If your baby needs help, the following technique may be useful.  However, before using this feature for the first time, we recommend that you practice squeezing some water into the palm of your hand.. Hold the feeder with the collar resting in the angle between your thumb and first finger.  Gently squeeze and release the straight body section or reservoir, of the teat.  This technique will put a small amount of fluid into your baby's mouth.  Always give your baby time to swallow before squeezing again.  Try to establish a good rhythm in harmony with your baby's suck and swallow.  You will soon feel confident in your ability to feed your baby.  NOTE: the amount given by squeezing is not affected by the variable flow positions of the teat. Helpful Hints Teat not refilling properly If you are using thickened feed or additives and the teat becomes floppy, unscrew the collar and check that the air-groove in the disc has not become blocked by sediment.  You may need to use finger pressure to help the flow of feed. The teat will also not fill properly if the disc is upside down. Bubbles of air in teat If air is entering the teat as you feed, tilt the bottle a little more so that feed completely covers the valve membrane and disc.  Sometimes on maximum flow, the baby's sucking action may cause an occasional bubble of air to enter via the mouthpiece.  If this happens often, set the flow to just below maximum. When to use the Haberman or Mini-Haberman The Mini-Haberman was designed for smaller or premature infants.  Consult with your physician or other health care provider for advice on which product to use for your baby. Feeder leaking If the feeder leaks, check that the feeder has been correctly assembled.   The stud of the valve membrane must be properly inserted through the hole in the disc.  The collar must be firmly screwed onto the bottle.  Make sure the feed is not too hot.  The feeder is designed for use with room temperature feed and should not be used with hot liquids.  Check to see if either the valve membrane or teat needs to be replaced.  Also, if using a bottle other than the Medela 80-ml or 150ml bottles, some leakage may occur around the collar and bottle connection. Feeder not working Check that the slit in the mouthpiece is opening properly.  Hold it vertically between your fingers and squeeze it open.  The slit should be about 3mm long.  Sometimes, after storage, the slit may close up.  If this occurs, apply warm soapy water and gently ease it opened.  Thoroughly rinse in cold water before use. Traveling To keep the cost of the unit as low as possible, we do not provide a travel lid.  Instead, invert the teat and disc so that the teat is inside the bottle, then screw n the collar. Alternatively, put the feeder inside a sanitized, water-tight plastic container. Using expressed breastmilk For mothers feeding expressed breast milk, please note that the bottle of the Haberman feeder can be directly attached to the breastshield of any Medela Breastpump Accessory Kit. Bottle size the Haberman Feeder is available with either an 80ml or 150ml bottle.   The Mini-Haberman Feeder is available with an 80ml bottle.  Other bottles may be used, however you may experience some leakage around the collar of the bottle. Baby rejects teat If your baby rejects the teat, squeeze a little feed onto your finger and let him taste it.  Touching your baby's cheek with the teat may encourage him to feed by stimulating the natural rooting reflex.  Remember to be relaxed and patient.  The initial success of using this device may not be measured in a large volume of intake, but rather by your baby learning to coordinate a routine of sucking, swallowing and breathing. Baby still not feeding well Ask your Speech Therapist, Lactation Consultant, Physician or other health care professional for advice.  Feeding can often be improved by adjusting the baby's position and/or simple stimulation techniques. Removing Teat If there is some feed left in the feeder, hold it horizontally over a sink before unscrewing the collar.  The disc should stay in the teat, preventing feed from spilling out. Quickly stand the bottle upright. Replacements of Parts As a guide, we suggest that the teat and valve membrane are replaced every five weeks. Parts are worn out if: The slit in the teat has grown longer than 4mm. The valve membrane is warped and no longer sits flat on the disc. If you are ordering a small part for the Haberman and not in a hurry to get the item, it can ship inside the US cheaper than $3.85 using First Class mail instead of Priority. Please phone in any orders that you wish to be sent First class. Because the teats need replacing approximately every five weeks, it is not a good idea to purchase them used.   Haberman feeder INSTRUCTIONS for use! UK shipping price will be the same as the US, but will ship Airmail. 80ml Haberman feeder $19.95                                                                 Need? 150ml Haberman Feeder                                                                      Mini Haberman Feeder Spare Parts to the Haberman feeder Medela Regular Haberman Teat Medela Mini Haberman Teat White Membrane Yellow Collar  80ML Container 150ML Container Dome bottle caps Wide smiles- a website resource for cleft lip and palate *Paypal accepts check payment but the products will not be shipped until the check has cleared the bank. Questions? Contact Mothering From The Heart... Marsha@MotheringfromtheHeart.com     Prices on all products are as low as possible and also will include help from a trained professional.  Personal emails or phone calls will always be handled by a professional lactation consultant when items are purchased with Mothering From The Heart.  Returns All items sold with MFTH are personal care items, so if opened or used, they cannot be returned,  only items in resalable condition can be returned and no returns after 30 days. Returns subject to a 10 % restocking fee plus actual shipping charges. Please contact Mothering From The Heart before sending any returns for approval. Warranty Contact the manufacturer directly for defective products. Breastpumps are covered by the manufacturers warranty and they will vary according to which product is purchased. Any defective products also need to be reported to us! For questions, contact Marsha Bearden at marsha@motheringfromtheheart.com.

 

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