Frequently Asked Questions
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Visit the Neotech Bridge product page and click on “Product Info” to read and download the complete directions for use and cleaning instructions.
I have not given birth yet but plan to breastfeed. Do I really need the Bridge?
86% of moms intend to breastfeed but 92% of moms have a problem breastfeeding in the first three days. The Bridge can help you meet your goals if and when you encounter your problem. Instead of giving a bottle, a mother can use the Bridge to supplement at the breast instead. This incentivizes the baby to latch and helps mom build her milk supply. This is especially helpful for moms who have a C-section and have delayed milk supply.
Can the Bridge help build my milk supply?
For most moms, milk supply is a function of supply and demand. The more you empty the breast (demand), the more your breast will produce (supply). The Bridge helps keep the baby at the breast, which empties the breast and stimulates the body to produce more breastmilk.
Can the Bridge help with latch?
The Bridge provides a surface for your baby to latch on to. This is especially helpful when the baby is having a difficult time sustaining a proper latch. In many cases, while mom works on the latch a bottle is something that the medical team might suggest. Instead of going to a bottle, using the Bridge to feed the baby at the breast can help keep the baby interested in the breast.
Do I need to press down on the syringe for my baby to get the milk?
Yes. This feature was made intentionally by our development team. Our goal is to have the baby feed from the breast as much as possible and only use supplement when needed. Our design allows baby to extract as much milk as possible from the breast and gives the caregiver full control over when supplement is given and at what rate.
Can the Bridge help me transition to breastfeeding if my baby prefers bottles?
Babies who are fed with a bottle can struggle because they are used to instant gratification that the bottle provides. Using the Bridge allows you to provide supplement as soon as the baby latches to the breast. Once the baby forms an association between feeding at the breast and receiving nutrition they will be more likely to continue feeding at the breast. Another way that the Bridge helps transition from bottle to breast-feeding is by providing a surface for the baby to latch on to. The silicone nipple piece feels similar to the bottle nipple for a baby who has a bottle preference. This familiarity increases the chances of baby latching and suckling at the breast.
Is the Bridge WHO Compliant?
Yes. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes aims to stop the aggressive and inappropriate marketing of formula. The Code also advocates for the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when necessary. (See excerpt below.)
The Bridge can be used to deliver expressed milk or, when necessary, formula. The goal of the Bridge is to keep the baby at the breast to stimulate mom’s milk production and eliminate the need for supplementation altogether.
The Bridge’s primary purpose is to enable and promote breastfeeding. Neotech does not promote the use of breast milk substitutes in place of breast milk.
Q. WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL CODE OF MARKETING OF BREAST-MILK SUBSTITUTES?
The Code is a set of recommendations to regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. The Code aims to stop the aggressive and inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes. The 34th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 19811 as a minimum requirement to protect and promote appropriate infant and young child feeding.
The Code aims to contribute “to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution” (Article 1).
The Code advocates that babies be breastfed. If babies are not breastfed, for whatever reason, the Code also advocates that they be fed safely on the best available nutritional alternative. Breast-milk substitutes should be available when needed, but not be promoted.
The Code represents an expression of the collective will of governments to ensure the protection and promotion of optimal feeding for infants and young children.
Click here to download the complete International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes FAQs. (2017 Update)
Can I gravity feed with the Bridge?
The Neotech Bridge does not work with gravity feeding. This is an intentional design element to allow parents full control over the rate at which the milk is supplemented, the amount of milk that the baby receives, and the timing of when the supplement is being delivered during the feed.
This encourages the baby to transfer as much milk as possible from the breast and helps build mom’s milk supply. Since liquids take the path of least resistance, gravity feeding maximizes flow from the supplementation container instead of the breast.
What sizes do you make?
At this time, the Bridge only comes in one size which is 23.8mm. Development of this size was based on IBCLC input and market research. We find that the size and the shape is able to accommodate most women who use the Bridge. We are hoping to be able to offer more sizes in the future.
Does the Bridge come in any other shapes?
Currently, the Bridge only comes in one shape. The shape of the Bridge was strategically made to accommodate babies of different gestational age. In the future, we hope to expand the family of Bridge products by creating more sizes and shapes.
What size syringe should I use?
This depends on how old your baby is and how much you need to supplement. In the first few days babies need only a very small amount of milk/formula and 20 ml syringe would be perfect. If the baby is older and mom is producing some milk and only uses a small amount of supplement. For an older baby who consistently requires more than an ounce of supplement, a 60 ml syringe may be a better option.
How long can I use the Bridge kit for?
We recommend you replace the syringe on a weekly basis. The Bridge itself can be used for up to two weeks, depending on frequency of usage.
What is the proper way to put on the Bridge?
Invert the silicone cover and place it over the breast. Tubing should be facing in such a way to make the syringe connection possible while baby is attached (usually at 2 o’clock or 10 o’clock). Please see demo video for full instructions.
How do I get the edges of the Bridge down when the baby eats?
It’s not unusual for edges to come up. Make sure that the Bridge is applied appropriately. You can also use some water, breastmilk, or nipple cream to keep edges down. The Bridge is made of the thinnest silicone meant to keep the breastfeeding experience as natural as possible. Overall, even if the edges come up, the baby should be able to transfer milk effectively.