If you want to bottle-feed your baby – either with formula or your own expressed breastmilk – this is the guide for you.

What is paced bottle-feeding?

Paced bottle feeding is a method of feeding your baby that aims to slow feedings to closely mimic breastfeeding. The method slows down the flow of milk and makes the baby work harder to get the milk (like he or she would with breastfeeding) and at the same time allows the baby to take breaks which reduces the risk of overfeeding that may result in discomfort to the baby.

When babies feed at the breast, they easily self-regulate how much they eat. Paced bottle-feeding mimics the natural rhythm of breastfeeding, where the baby sucks, swallows, breathes, and takes breaks in between. The key principles of this method are the right positioning of the baby and the bottle, as well as allowing pauses during feeding.

The baby should be held in a semi-upright position, while the bottle should be kept horizontal – parallel to the floor, rather than with the nipple pointing downward. If the baby is lying flat and the bottle is held vertically, milk will continuously drip, and the baby will have no choice but to keep drinking. With the correct positioning, the baby can push the nipple out of their mouth when they feel full.

This method also supports combining bottle-feeding and breastfeeding. Some babies who are used to drinking from a bottle may become frustrated with the slower milk flow during breastfeeding. When a baby starts nursing at the breast, milk flows slowly at first. Only after 30–60 seconds of active sucking does a stronger milk flow occur, making it easier for the baby to get milk. In contrast, milk from a bottle flows steadily from the start. The paced bottle-feeding method helps bridge the gap between bottle-feeding and breastfeeding, making the transition between the two smoother.

 

Step-by-step guide for paced bottle-feeding

  1. Hold your baby in a semi-upright position supporting the head. It is important that your baby can breathe and swallow comfortably.

  2. Always have good eye contact with your baby and talk to your baby gently during bottle-feeding. This helps to build a close and loving relationship with your baby and helps him or her to feel safe and secure.

  3. Touch the baby's lips with the bottle nipple to open its mouth. When the baby opens its mouth, the bottle is placed so the nipple touches the soft palate, and the baby begins to feed.

  4. Hold the bottle horizontal, so the bottle nipple is filled with milk. This is to prevent the baby from swallowing too much air.

  5. After 20–30 seconds of feeding, the bottle is tipped downward to stop the flow of milk (creating a similar pattern as in breastfeeding).

  6. After a few seconds, tip the bottle up to allow milk to flow into the nipple again.

  7. Continue this “go-stop” method until the baby signals that it is full.

Paced bottle feeding method

The benefits of paced bottle-feeding

  • Helps avoid overfeeding

Paced feeding helps your baby listen to his or her natural signs of hunger and fullness, instead of encouraging the baby to drink a certain number of ml/oz just because that is in the bottle.

  • Helps digestion issues and decrease reflux

If your baby is experiencing digestive issues while bottle-feeding, paced bottle-feeding helps them take smaller, more frequent amounts, which can make digestion more comfortable.

  • Helps prevent “nipple confusion”

Babies do not get confused about the different feeding methods, but they can develop a preference for the bottle. This is because it is a lot less work for a baby to drink from a bottle than from a breast. Paced bottle-feeding better mimics the natural rate of breastfeeding, and it may help you switch more easily between the two.

Read also other blog posts connected to this topid:
How to choose best baby bottle
What is nipple confusion and how to avoid it
Can bottle feeding be as bonding as breastfeeding?
 

The source of this article: BIBS blog

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