Is your goal to breastfeed but you have been recommended to give top-ups via bottle.
or
Maybe you are wanting to introduce a bottle but worried it may affect your breastfeeding or maybe you are mixed feeding.
I’m sure everyone has seen in the movies or friends and family members where the baby is essentially lying on their back in their arms and the bottle is tilted vertically to feed the baby. Thinking it’s just the norm on how you bottle feed a baby, and it’s quick yeah?
If it’s not causing issues for you, great!
But it can.
Due to the teat having holes in it and the bottle tilted up vertically milk is constantly flowing out. This can make it hard for your little one to coordinate the suck, swallow, breath technique, leading to wind, over feeding and sometimes a preference to the bottle then the breast when breastfeeding is your goal.
See how I said preference not confusion. Baby’s are not silly they know, it’s just EASIER for them, they don’t have to work hard, the milk just flows into their mouth.
But if bottle feeding isn’t your long term goal or you're wanting to mixed feed it’s probably not supporting the breastfeeding journey.
Paced bottle feeding allows your baby to better manage the flow of milk. Being able to coordinate the suck, swallow, breath rhythm. This will mean that bottle feeding will take longer than originally as milk won’t be freely flowing into their mouth and instead your baby will have to work to feed just like breastfeeding. This can help avoid a preference to the bottle. Paced bottle feeding can sometimes take around 15min just like a breastfeed takes time also.
How to Guide:
- Use a slow flow teat
- Sit your baby upright in your arms; on your knee; or lie them on their side.
- Brush the teat over the middle of your baby’s lips, this will allow them to open wide and latch onto the teat. Like when breastfeeding, instead of pushing the teat into their mouth.
- As your baby begins to suck tilt the bottle horizontally so the teat is just filled with milk.
- When your baby takes its breath, lower the bottle.
- Again when your baby starts to suck again raise it horizontally so the teat is filled with milk.
- Half way through the feed switch which side you are feeding your baby to encourage eye stimulation and development on both sides.
- If your baby dozes and releases from the teat it is indicating they are full, great job!
- Paced bottle feeding should not go for longer than 20-30min.
If you have any questions or concerns let me know I would be happy to discuss further. Or if you are having trouble using a bottle let me know, I can support you with any feeding issues you are having.
This is general information and should not be used against any medical advice or if you have any concerns for you or your baby.
Mel x