Paced Bottle Feeding - What You Need To Know
Here at Beautiful Births and Beyond, we believe that a fed baby is a happy baby, and we understand that most likely all babies will utilize a bottle at some point in time. Whether you formula feed or pump to bottle feed, one of the techniques that can help mimic nursing and is proven to have multiple benefits for your baby is Paced Bottle Feeding.
Paced Bottle Feeding is a method of feeding your baby that allows them to have more control of the flow of milk and take breaks throughout the feeding. It’s accomplished through a specific type of feeding pattern which allows your baby to take breaks and eventually learn to pace themselves when feeding from a bottle.
What you’ll need:
A 4oz bottle and slow flow nipple
15-30 minutes
A comfortable place to feed your baby
How to try Paced Bottle Feeding:
Start by holding your baby in your lap in a semi-upright, comfortable position, supporting the head and neck.
When your baby shows hunger cues, get them to open their mouth wide by tickling their chin or lips.
Once their mouth is open, insert the nipple of the bottle into their mouth and make sure they have a deep latch.
Start by holding the bottle flat, (horizontal to the floor). Your baby will start sucking on the nipple without milk. This is good!
After your baby is securely latched and sucking on the bottle, tip the bottle slowly to fill the nipple ½ way with milk so your baby starts to get some flow.
Let your baby suck for about 3-5 continuous swallows, about 20-30 seconds worth of sucking.
After 3-5 continuous swallows, tip the bottle back down until it’s horizontal with the floor again, giving your baby a little break.
Once your baby has been given a few seconds of break, they will begin to suck again. When that happens, tip the bottle up to allow milk to flow into the nipple again and continue feeding.
Continue this pattern until your baby shows signs of being full, which can include no longer sucking on the nipple after the break, turning away or pushing away from the nipple, or falling fully asleep.
What are the benefits of Paced Bottle Feeding?
Paced Bottle Feeding has many benefits for babies! The most prevalent reason most choose to utilize the Paced Bottle Feeding method is to reduce the chance of over-feeding your baby, which can lead to discomfort and, overtime, other conditions.
If your baby spits up regularly after feedings, tends to be gassy and fussy after feedings, is “colicky” or appears to be generally uncomfortable after feedings, Paced Bottle Feeding might be the method for you!
If you have questions about Paced Bottle Feeding - or feeding your baby in general! - schedule a consultation with one of our doulas today! We are proud to offer 4th trimester doula services, and would be happy to discuss your baby’s feeding needs and assist however we can!
