SpecialNeeds Feeder baby with cleft palate

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 born with a cleft lip or palate.

Why SpecialNeeds Feeder

For babies who are unable to create a vacuum due to certain syndromes, neurological disorders, cleft lip or palate

Allows the baby to use compression when they cannot create a vacuum

Variable and controllable milk flow to suit the baby’s abilities and efforts

Feeding babies with special needs

The line mark on the mouthpiece helps the caregiver to find the right position (three different flows).

The slit valve makes the mouthpiece sensitive to any feeding effort and closes completely when the baby wants to pause. The one-way valve prevents air from entering the mouthpiece.

The SpecialNeeds Feeder can be reused after it has been cleaned in accordance with the instructions for use.

Benefits of the SpecialNeeds Feeder

Supports oral feeding in babies
Has a variable and controllable milk flow rate to suit the baby’s abilities and efforts
Is sensitive even to very week feeding effort
Provides help when babies cannot create a vacuum

Downloads

Instructions for use (pdf)

1. Bessell, A. et al. Feeding interventions for growth and development in infants with cleft lip, cleft palate or cleft lip and palate. Cochrane Database Syst Rev CD003315 (2011).

2. Shaw, W.C., Bannister, R.P., & Roberts, C.T. Assisted feeding is more reliable for infants with clefts – a randomized trial. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 36, 262-268 (1999).

Features & Benefits