Medela SpecialNeeds User manual

Medela SpecialNeeds®Feeder
Medela Mini -
SpecialNeeds®Feeder
Instructions for use
Instrucciones de uso
Mode d’emploi

Mini-SpecialNeeds®
Feeder
SpecialNeeds®
Feeder

Tabl of Cont nts
How Does the SpecialNeeds® Feeder Help.......1
Cleaning .............................................................4
Using the SpecialNeeds or
Mini-SpecialNeeds Feeder ...............................5
Feeding Your Baby .............................................8
Helpful Hints .......................................................9
Replacement of parts .......................................12
Índic
¿Cómo ayuda el alimentador SpecialNeeds? ..14
Limpieza............................................................17
Uso del alimentador SpecialNeeds
o Mini-SpecialNeeds .....................................18
Alimentación de su bebé ..................................21
Sugerencias útiles.............................................22
Reemplazo de piezas .......................................25
Tabl d s matièr s
Fonctionnement du biberon SpecialNeeds ......27
Nettoyage .........................................................30
Utiliser le biberon SpecialNeeds ou
Mini-SpecialNeeds ........................................31
Nourrir votre bébé.............................................34
Conseils utiles...................................................35
Remplacement des pièces détachées .............38

1
How Do s th Sp cialN ds™F d r H lp?
R wards th w ak st 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 SpecialNeeds 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.
N v r 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 SpecialNeeds 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.

2
May r duc 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 SpecialNeeds™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 h lp your baby to f d
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.

Th Sp cialN ds™and Mini-Sp cialN ds™F d r
3
Sp cialN ds
F d r T at
(silicone)
R s rvoir
Light finger
pressure can
be applied to
deliver
controlled
quantity of
feed.
Collar
(polypropylene)
Disc
(polypropylene)
Air-groove on
underside
prevents vacuum,
admits air into
container, not
into teat.
Slit Valv
Controls flow of
feed, depending on
orientation within
baby’s mouth.
Rais d Markings
Indicate position of
slit valve in baby’s
mouth, the longer
the raised mark, the
greater the flow.
Valv
M mbran
(silicone) Permits
only forward
flow of feed.
Feeder rewards
even the
weakest suck.
The Medela Mini-SpecialNeeds
uses the same design; however,
the teat is a smaller version for
smaller or premature infants.

4
Cl aning
Aft r ach f ding: 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 the 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 20 minutes.
If hard water deposits occur use distilled water or occasionally
boil in a mixture of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar.

Using Th Sp cialN ds™
or Mini-Sp cialN ds™F d r
IMPORTANT
Consult your doctor before using the
SpecialNeeds or Mini-SpecialNeeds
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.
Compon nts
Your Medela SpecialNeeds or
Mini-SpecialNeeds Feeder should
include
1-Container, 1-Teat, 1-Disc,
1- Valve membrane, 1-Collar.
Ass mbly
1. Press valve membrane onto the
upper side of the disc, so that the
stud goes completely through the
center hole.
Collar
SpecialNeeds
Teat
Mini-
SpecialNeeds
Teat
Valve
Membrane
Disc
80ml
Container
(1 0ml Container available for
Special-Needs Feeder)
5

6
2. Fill the container with room temperature breastmilk or
supplement recommended by physician to the level that the
baby is presently taking.
3. Slip the teat into the collar.
4. Put assembled valve membrane into the teat. Make sure that
the valve membrane and high rim of the disc are facing the
inside of the teat.
5. Place the teat assembly over the container and screw all the
parts together using the collar.
Filling th t at
The feeder is designed for use with
room temperature feed and should
not be used with hot liquids.
1. Hold the feeder upright and
SQUEEZE some air out of the teat.
2. KEEP SQUEEZING and tip the feeder
upside down.
3. Then RELEASE and some feed will enter the teat.
4. REPEAT steps 1-3 several times until the teat is almost full.
As your baby feeds, the teat will automatically refill.
Controlling th flow
The mouthpiece of the teat has an opening with a slit-valve,
which can be adjusted to suit your baby. The flow rate is shown
by the three lines on the teat—longest line for maximum flow,
medium line for medium flow, shortest line for zero flow.

7
How th slit valv works
a) Slit horizontal pressure keeps valve
closed for zero flow
b) Slit midway valve partly opens for
medium flow
c) Slit vertical pressure opens valve for
maximum flow
M asuring your baby's intak
The whole teat
holds approx.
The mouthpiece
holds approx.
The contents of the container can be
read on the scale on the side of the
container.
a b c
Slit valve
Zero Flow
Medium Flow
Maximum
Flow
27 ml
ml
0 ml
2 ml
4 ml
0 ml
27ml 25ml
5ml 4ml
SpecialNeeds Mini-
SpecialNeeds
Standard Medela
Sp cialN ds® Tat
Medela Mini-
Sp cialN ds Tat

8
F ding Your Baby
1. R lax
2. S l ct th flow rat
To adjust the rate of flow, turn the feeder
so that the required line (zero, medium or
maximum) points toward 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. Use the 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 and start again if your baby shows signs of distress.
3. H lping your baby to f d
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.

9
H lpful Hints
T at not r filling prop rly
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.
Bubbl s of air in t at
If air is entering the teat as you feed, tilt the container 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.
Wh n to us th Sp cialN ds™or Mini-Sp cialN ds™
The Mini-SpecialNeeds 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.
F d r l aking
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 container. 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.

10
Check to see if either the valve membrane or teat needs to be
replaced. Also, if using a container other than the Medela 80ml
or 150ml containers, some leakage may occur around the collar
and container connection.
F d r 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 open. Thoroughly rinse in cold water before use.
Trav ling
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 container, then screw on the collar.
Alternatively, put the feeder inside a sanitized, water-tight
plastic container.
Using xpr ss d br ast milk
For mothers feeding expressed breast milk, please note that the
container of the SpecialNeeds Feeder can be directly attached
to the breastshield of any Medela Breastpump Accessory Kit.
Contain r siz
The SpecialNeeds Feeder is available with either an 80ml or 150ml
container. The Mini-SpecialNeeds Feeder is available with an 80ml
container. Other containers may be used, however you may
experience some leakage around the collar and the container.

11
Baby r j cts t at
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 f ding w ll
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.
R moving T at
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
container upright.

12
R plac m nt 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.
Always inspect parts thoroughly before each use.
Parts may also be ordered by calling 1-800-435-8316 and
ordering with Discover Card, Mastercard, Visa, or Amercian
Express.
Sp cialN ds™F d r Parts
ITEM PART #
6000S (US)
26000 (Canada)
6200S (US)
26200 (Canada)
6100093S (US)
20093 (Canada)
8200030
8207005
8200014
8100503
8107066
Complete Feeder w/80ml Container
Complete Feeder w/80ml Container
Complete Feeder w/150ml Container
Complete Feeder w/150ml Container
Complete Mini-Feeder w/80ml Container
Complete Mini-Feeder w/80ml Container
SpecialNeeds® Teat
Mini-SpecialNeeds Teat
Valve Membrane
Disc
Collar

13

¿Cómo ayuda l alim ntador
Sp cialN ds™?
Hasta la succión más débil s r comp nsada
En los alimentadores convencionales, gran parte del esfuerzo
de bebé se desperdicia en la compresión del aire dentro del
recipiente y el movimiento de alimento por el sistema. En
cambio, la exclusiva tetilla del alimentador SpecialNeeds está
separada del recipiente mediante una válvula unidireccional.
Una vez llena la tetilla, la leche permanece allí y no puede fluir
de vuelta al recipiente. Toda la labor de succión del bebé se
dirige al contenido de la tetilla, de manera que incluso la
succión más débil genera resultados.
Nunca s r bosa
El agrandamiento del agujero de una tetilla normal no resuelve
los problemas de alimentación. El bebé no puede detener el
flujo de alimento para relajarse y respirar. Pronto, surge el
pánico y el riego de ahogamiento. El alimentador SpecialNeeds
tiene una válvula con ranura en la boquilla que sólo se abre
cuando el bebé succiona. El bebé tiene control absoluto y
nunca es abrumado. También tiene la ventaja de ofrecer un flujo
variable. Es posible graduar la ranura, desde una abertura
grande hasta una posición cerrada, según las necesidades del
bebé. Además, sin importar la abertura que seleccione, siempre
se cierra entre succiones.
14

Pu d r ducir gas s, vómito y cólicos
Muchos bebés ingieren aire al usar ciertos alimentadores
ordinarios. Esto se debe a que se forma un vacío en el sistema
y el bebé tiene que separar los labios de la tetilla para permitir
que vuelva a entrar aire. Por consiguiente, el bebé ingiere aire
con el siguiente bocado de alimento, lo que provoca gases,
vómito y cólicos.
El alimentador SpecialNeeds™puede reducir la ingestión de
aire. Tiene una muesca especial de entrada de aire que sólo
permite que el aire entre en la misma cantidad que sale del
sistema. No existe un vacío que se oponga a la labor de
succión del bebé y se evita la ingestión de aire. Incluso los
bebés con paladar hendido se benefician notablemente con
esta característica especial.
Ust d pu d ayudar a su b bé a alim ntars
Si su bebé requiere ayuda adicional, usted puede presionar
suavemente y expulsar el contenido de la tetilla. Así, se
suministra una cantidad controlada de alimento a la boca del
bebé. La tetilla llena tiene una resistencia natural que impide
que usted oprima con demasiado fuerza.
15

Los alim ntador s Sp cialN ds™y Mini-Sp cialN ds™
T tilla d l
alim ntador
Sp cialN ds
(silicona)
D pósito
Puede
ejercerse un
poco de
presión con los
dedos para
suministrar
una cantidad
controlada de
alimento.
Collarín
(polipropileno)
Disco
(polipropileno)
La ranura
de aire en la
parte inferior
impide el vacío
y permite que
entre aire en el
recipiente, no
en la tetilla.
Válvula con ranura
Controla el flujo del
alimento, dependiendo de
la orientación que tenga
en la boca del bebé.
Marcas
r alzadas
Indican la posición
de la válvula con
ranura en la boca del
bebé; cuanto más
larga sea la marca,
mayor será el flujo.
M mbrana
d válvula
(silicona)
Permite el flujo
del alimento
únicamente
hacia delante.
El alimentador
recompensa
incluso la succión
más débil.
El alimentador Mini-SpecialNeeds
tiene el mismo diseño, pero la
tetilla es más pequeña, para bebés
de menor talla o prematuros.
16