medela SpecialNeeds Feeder Instruction Manual
- June 1, 2024
- medela
Table of Contents
medela SpecialNeeds Feeder
Product Information
Specifications:
- Product Name: SpecialNeedsTM Feeder
- Intended Use: Feeding breast milk and liquids of similar consistency to infants
- Indications: Infants with weak conditions, neurologic/cardiac/respiratory disorders, oral-facial anomalies
Product Usage Instructions
Important Safety Information:
- Read all instructions before use and save them for reference.
- Use only for intended purposes.
- Do not share the product among infants without proper reprocessing.
- Inspect before each use and discard if damaged.
- Do not leave packaging and components unattended.
Important Safeguards:
- Handle plastic bottles and parts with care to avoid breakage.
- Avoid mishandling to prevent damage.
- Do not use damaged bottles or components.
Cleaning Instructions:
- Use drinking-quality water for cleaning.
- Reprocess all parts before first use.
- Clean all parts immediately after use.
- Boil all parts for five minutes before first use and once a day.
- Disassemble the feeder into individual parts after each use.
- Optionally, clean the product in the dishwasher using a suitable detergent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I reuse the milk left in the bottle?
A: Yes, you can reuse the leftover milk in the bottle. However, discard the milk left in the teat by carefully unscrewing the lid and removing it along with the teat and valve plate above the sink to avoid spillage.
Q: How should I handle bottles and components that have been frozen?
A: Frozen bottles and parts may become brittle and prone to breakage. Handle them with care and do not use them if they show signs of damage.
Q: Can I use commercially available dishwashing detergent for cleaning?
A: Yes, you can use a commercially available dishwashing detergent to clean the product. Ensure proper cleaning and follow the instructions provided.
Read all instructions before use.
SAVE THIS INSTRUCTION FOR USE
Intended purpose
The SpecialNeeds Feeder is intended to feed breast milk and other liquids of
similar consistency to infants.
Indications for use
The SpecialNeeds Feeder is indicated for use for infants with:
- A weak condition such as low muscle tone;
- Neurologic, cardiac or respiratory disorders resulting in difficulties in coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing;
- Oral-facial anomalies such as cleft lip/palate or strong tongue-tie;
- Pierre Robin Syndrome or Down Syndrome.
Important safety information
For a patient/user/third party in the European Union and in countries with identical regulatory regime (Regulation 2017/745/EU on Medical Devices); if, during the use of this device or as a result of its use, a serious incident has occurred, please report it to the manufacturer and/or its authorised representative and to your national authority.
For the infants child safety and health – WARNING!
- Only use this product with adult supervision.
- Do not warm liquid in a microwave oven as this may cause uneven heating and could scald the infant.
- Use the product only for its intended purpose as described in this instructions for use.
- Use by more than one infant without adequate reprocessing may present a health risk and could cause cross-contamination.
- Use Medela original accessories only.
- Inspect before each use. Throw away at the first signs of damage, mould or weakness.
- Never leave packaging and components unattended. Keep them out of reach of children.
Important safeguards
- Plastic bottles and component parts become brittle when frozen and may break when dropped.
- Also, bottles and component parts may become damaged if mishandled, e.g. dropped, over-tightened, or knocked over.
- Take appropriate care in handling bottles and components.
- Don’t use the liquid if bottles or components become damaged.
Cleaning
Important
- Only use drinking-quality water for cleaning.
- Reprocess all parts prior to first use (see below).
- Clean all parts immediately after use.
- The cleaning instructions below are general instructions. For country-specific regulations and guidelines, ask your Medela agent or visit our website (www.medela.com).
Before first use and once a day
- Cover all parts with water and boil for five minutes.
- Leave to dry on a clean cloth.
After each use
- Disassemble the feeder into its individual parts. Make sure to separate the yellow valve plate from the teat. Also separate the white membrane from the valve plate.
Note:
You can re-use the milk that is left in the bottle. However, you must throw
away the milk left in the teat. Therefore, hold the feeder above the sink.
Carefully unscrew the lid and remove it together with the teat and valve
plate, so as not to spill milk. Discard the leftover milk from the teat.
- Rinse all parts with cold water (approx. 20 °C). Clean all parts with plenty of warm, soapy water (approx. 30 °C). Use a commercially available washing-up liquid, preferably without artificial fragrances and colouring. Rinse all parts with cold water (approx. 20 °C).
- Alternatively, clean the product in the dishwasher. Place the parts on the top rack or in the cutlery section. Use a commercially available dishwashing detergent.
- Leave to dry on a clean cloth.
Storage
Put the clean parts in a clean storage bag or a clean environment. It is important that all residual moisture dries. Do not store parts in an airtight container/bag.
How to use
- It is recommended that the mother performs her first feedings with the Special Needs Feeder under the supervision of a professional/trained staff.
- Always check the temperature of the liquid before feeding.
Assembling the feeder
- Hold the valve plate with the high rim facing upwards. Place the white membrane onto the valve plate, inside the rim. Push the membrane’s knob completely through the central hole of the valve plate.
- Fill the bottle with the required amount of liquid.
- Place the assembled valve with the high rim upwards onto the bottle opening.
- Place the teat on the valve plate, such that the rim is inside the teat.
- Slide the lid over the teat. Screw all parts together with the lid.
Filling the teat
- Hold the feeder upright. Squeeze some air out of the teat.
- Keep squeezing while turning the feeder upside down.
- Now release the teat. Some liquid will enter it.
- Repeat the above steps until the teat is full.
Controlling the milk flow
- The SpecialNeeds Feeder offers the opportunity to adapt the liquid flow to your infant’s needs. Use the lines on the teat to set the liquid flow. The shortest line corresponds with zero flow, the middle line with a medium flow, the largest line for maximum flow.
- To select a flow rate, point the corresponding line on the teat towards the infant’s nose (see the picture at the right). Choose zero flow (the shortest line) if the infant needs to get used to the teat before the feeding starts.
How does the f low rate control mechanism work?
The position of the teat/line in the infant’s mouth influences the opening of
the slit valve on top of the teat:
- Note: The slit closes between sucks, so that the baby will not be flooded.
- Note: The feeder supports a sliding flow rate. To get any liquid flow in between zero and maximum, just choose the corresponding position in between the lines.
Material: Teat and membrane: silicone; rest: polypropylene.
Disposal:
According to local regulations.
- Indicates compliance with the EU’s requirements for medical devices
- Indicates that the packaging contains products intended to come in contact with food according to regulation (EC) No 1935/2004
- Indicates the material from which an item is made
- Indicates the number of products included in the package
- Indicates that an item can technically be recycled
Medela AG
- Lättichstrasse 4b 6340 Baar, Switzerland
- www.medela.com.
International Sales
- Medela AG Lättichstrasse 4b 6340 Baar, Switzerland
- Phone +41 41 562 51 51
- www.medela.com.
© Medela AG/ref. master doc. 101046140/2023-05/A 101046144/2023-07/A.