Paced Bottle Feeding

Topics: Breastfeeding tools

Paced bottle feeding is a way of feeding that allows your baby to control the flow from the bottle. 

When using a bottle, practice paced bottle feeding whether the bottle contains breast milk or formula. 

Click here to download the Paced Bottle Feeding handout.

 

Benefits

  • Gives your baby more control to allow their body time to recognize fullness.
  • Prevents overeating and reduces the chance of an upset tummy. 
  • Allows your baby to eat from a bottle similarly to how they would at the breast. This supports breastfeeding and matches your baby’s natural instincts.

Teach others who care for your baby this feeding technique. 

 

Steps to take

  1. Watch your baby for hunger cues. Do not feed on a schedule. 
  2. Hold your baby close to you, upright (not lying flat) and support their head and neck.  
  3. Hold the bottle in a flat, horizontal position so the nipple is only half full of milk. You can adjust the angle of the bottle to control the flow of the milk as needed.
  4. Touch the bottle nipple to your baby’s lip and wait for your baby to open wide. 
  5. Let your baby draw the nipple into their mouth. Do not shove or force the nipple into your baby’s mouth. After your baby latches, do not lean your baby back or tilt the bottle up.
  6. Encourage your baby to take breaks. After a few sucks, lower the bottle so the nipple is empty but remains in the mouth. Bring the bottle back up once your baby starts sucking again. This helps your baby from eating too quickly.
  7. If your baby slows or stops sucking, pushes or turns their head away from the bottle, or falls asleep, it is time to end the feeding - even if there is milk left in the bottle.

View video instructions on paced bottle feeding: youtu.be/YoBVtE6S1dk or BreastfeedColorado.com.

 

Helpful tips

  • No matter the age of your baby, choose a slow flow or newborn (size 0) nipple to better copy the flow of milk from human nipples. 
  • Never prop a bottle - this can cause your baby to choke. 
  • Feedings should take 15-30 minutes, or as long as your baby would normally breastfeed.
  • Trust your baby to know when they are full. Do not make your baby finish a bottle. 
  • If you are worried about wasting milk, consider putting smaller amounts (1-2 ounces) in the bottle at a time.
  • Watch your baby - if you see gulping, wide eyes, choking, leaking milk from the corners of their mouth, then the feeding may need to be slowed down. Stop the feeding and restart following the steps listed previously.

 

Want more help? 

Connect with your local WIC clinic for more information and support.