Paced Bottle Feeding

Babies who are breastfed are used to regulating their milk intake during each feeding session. They naturally stop feeding when they are satisfied.

On the other hand, bottle-fed babies have less control over their milk intake. It is common for them to consume more milk than necessary during each feeding, leading to overfeeding.

Breastfed babies are also used to controlling the pace at which they receive milk. Transitioning to a bottle with a faster flow can be stressful for them. They may seem overly eager and gulp down the milk quickly, but this behaviour is often a result of trying to avoid choking rather than genuine hunger.

What is paced bottle feeding?

Paced bottle feeding is a method that mirrors the natural rhythm of breastfeeding, allowing your baby to control the milk flow and take breaks as needed. This technique helps prevent overfeeding, reduces the risk of wind and discomfort, and encourages healthy eating habits in the long term.

Why Pace bottle feed?

This approach enables your baby to eat at their own pace, indicating when they are full to prevent overeating and potential health issues like obesity. By slowing down the feeding process, paced bottle feeding minimises air intake, reducing the chances of wind and fussiness at the breast.

Ensuring that your baby receives just the right amount of milk from the bottle will help them maintain a healthy appetite for breastfeeding when you are reunited. This practice is beneficial for sustaining your milk supply.

Promoting self-regulation, this feeding method teaches your baby to recognise hunger and fullness cues, laying the groundwork for mindful eating as they grow. It also fosters a stronger bond between parent and child through increased eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, and responsive interactions during feeding sessions.

For mothers transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding, paced bottle feeding can help maintain breastfeeding skills and prevent nipple preference. By supporting your baby's feeding experience with this technique, you can contribute to their healthy development and strengthen the parent-child bond.

It's essential to be attentive to your baby's cues and adapt the feeding process to suit their unique needs.

To pace your baby's feeding, pay attention to hunger cues rather than sticking to a strict schedule. Signs of hunger include restlessness, finger-sucking, or head movements. Older babies may cry and find it difficult to soothe without a feed.

Before a feed

Before offering a feed, try other calming techniques like a nappy change, cuddling, or a walk. If your baby is clearly hungry, then proceed with the feeding.

How to Pace Bottle Feed

Hold your baby in an upright position, supporting their head and neck with your hand, not your arm.

Choose a slow-flow teat for the bottle.

Gently stroke the teat down the middle of your baby's lips, especially the bottom lip, to encourage them to open their mouth wide. Let the baby draw the teat in themselves, rather than pushing it into their mouth.

Tilt the bottle slightly so that the milk fills the teat. As the feeding progresses, gradually angle the bottle backward to keep the teat filled with milk.

Maintain alignment between your baby's head and neck. Begin with a more horizontal bottle position and transition to a more vertical position as the feed progresses.

Allow your baby to take breaks during the feed to prevent them from drinking too quickly.

Let your baby determine when to end the feeding session. They may not need to consume all the milk in the bottle.