First up, I just want to say what a fantastic job you did breastfeeding your son for 13 weeks, well done! Especially given the obstacles you faced, that's a wonderful effort. Hopefully a supply line will make things easier second time around. I'm sure you will find second time easier in other ways, which is helpful too.

Okay, I am using a supply line because I also have insufficient glandular tissue. I had supply problems with my first baby, but didn't use a SL then, just bottles. He also rejected the breast, at 12 weeks (7 weeks corrected) and we battled that for two months before he decided that boobs were okay again. We were still supplementing with bottles though. This time around, with more supply problems, and another prem (and undersized) baby, my LC suggested trying a supply line. His attachment at the breast is definitely better when we use less bottles, and I feel alot better using the SL rather than bottles. As I don't get it sterilised between each and every feed, we still use some bottles. And I don't use it when we go out, as it's a little more fiddly position-wise, although it certainly wouldn't be impossible to do. At this stage I am planning on using it until he doesn't need to comp anymore (6 months? 12 months? who knows!).

I should clarify, what I am using is NOT the Medela Supplemental Nursing System. My LC and I have constructed an old fashioned supply line. She feels that the SNS is too fiddly (and too expensive!) so she tries to make something more like the way the supply lines used to be made. She buys the tubing from a pharmaceutical company in the west, and then I got some bottles to adapt. You need the ones with the little cap on them, and you simply burn two holes in the top of the cap (using a hot skewer etc). You put the tubing through one of the holes, so it reaches the bottom of the bottle. You place the bottle upright between your breasts in your bra, and using two bits of micropore tape, stick the tubing to your nipple. You need to use one small bit on your areola, and then a larger piece further along the tubing to hold it all in place. The baby then attaches to the breast (in the football hold is easiest) with the tube in the corner of his mouth, and needs to suck to draw the milk from the bottle (my tubing is not too fine, so it's not too difficult for him to access the milk). I hope all of that makes sense, it's hard to describe here!

I don't really find it any more difficult to use than a bottle. He probably has to wait 30 seconds longer to get his comp, but that's about all. I just use a syringe when washing it to flush out the tubing. All in all, I would say it's definitely helpful, I'm glad we're using it. As we're only 12 weeks into our breastfeeding journey, I can't comment on long term use! I hope all of that helps in some way though

I know you will be an expert in all things galactogogue , but I wonder if you've heard of Goat's Rue? You may have tried it, but I thought it's worth mentioning it, just in case you haven't.