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Website companion to Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals |
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| Choking? |
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Question: Every time we offer our baby a bottle, no matter which shape, she can't even try to suck because she chokes. Any ideas?
Answer: Is she choking because of milk flow? Or gagging because the nipple is in her mouth? Let's assume it's choking as you say. When milk starts dripping into a baby's mouth before they suck, choking is a natural response, so they pull their tongue back to protect their airway. With the tongue in this position, sucking is impossible. Try offering the bottle to your baby in a semi-upright position, where the milk in the bottle stays lower than the nipple hole. Once your baby starts sucking (assuming it's a good nipple shape for your baby), then tip the bottle up so the milk is over the hole. When bottles are offered in this manner, choking is usually avoided. |
Feedings too long? |
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Question: My baby can't finish 2 ounces of milk without falling asleep, only to wake up hungry later. It takes her about 40 minutes and the bottle still isn't empty. We use the Ventaire narrow size 1 nipple.
Answer: When we tested bottle nipples, we found that the Ventaire narrow is one of the slowest flows--too slow for many babies. If your baby does well with that shape, you might try moving up to a size 2, though we haven't studied that specific flow rate. Another option is to change brands, like Nuby slow (narrow) or Dr. Browns slow (narrow). These nipples are very similar in shape to the Ventaire narrow, but flow slightly faster. |
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Question: My baby goes through a couple bibs each feeding with the bottle because so much leaks out. I think her bottle is slow enough, though, so what else do I try? We use the Avent slow flow.
Answer: Chances are your baby cannot get a good seal on the bottle nipple. That nipple has an "abrupt transition" between the nipple base and tip. Most babies cannot keep their mouths in contact with the nipple base, so milk leaks out through the corners of the mouth. If this sounds like your baby, try another shape. A good first choice would be the Dr. Browns narrow size 1. This nipple will probably work with your breast pump bottles, too. |
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Leaking? (2) |
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Question: Is the flow too fast or too slow when milk leaks around my baby's mouth?
Answer: Depends. If the flow is too fast, some babies will open their mouths to let the exceess milk out. More likely, though, a baby who is leaking from her mouth is not forming a good seal around the nipple. It's important that a baby's lips remain in contact with the whole bottle nipple, with no gaps in the corners (sides) of the mouth. Play around with nipple shapes and see if you can find one your baby can seal on. |
| Practicing with bottle? |
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Question: You write in your book that babies should practice using the bottle every day or two with a breastmilk "snack" so they don't forget how to use the bottle. Other breastfeeding books say not to practice. Why don't other books agree with you?
Answer: Here's the truth: if your baby practices with a bottle that has a poor shape or flow that doesn't mimic his breastfeeding latch, breastfeeding will suffer. But if your baby practices with a bottle nipple that provides a good latch and flow, and you are pumping to maintain your supply, practicing safeguards that your baby will eat when you return to work. BB&B gives you the tools you need to choose the best bottle for your baby.
Many breastfeeding mothers hesitate to practice with a bottle anyway. We wonder if perhaps our current culture is a bit brain-washed. ;)
A dad called us just today. He and his wife read the book, and his wife was not comfortable practicing with the bottle (even though he wanted her to since he'd be the one caring for the baby). Today, mom's first day back to work, baby absolutely won't take the bottle. Not a big surprise. Now they've moved on to the chapter of overcoming a bottle nipple strike. Too bad, because this most likely could have been avoided. |
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Fastest/Slowest Flow? |
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Question: Which brand of bottle has the fastest or slowest flow?
Answer: There is an answer to this question! Appendix C of BB&B ranks name brand nipples from slowest to fastest flow. In our professional opinion, some slow-flow nipples flow too slowly for the average baby, while some slow-flow nipples flow too quickly for the average breastfed baby. | |
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