When breastfeeding your little one, there are things you’ll need to take note of. It isn’t only about how to improve your milk flow or when to start weaning off the breastmilk, but also about the nipple flow your little one needs!
There are a few moms who aren’t familiar with when to switch nipple flow yet, or how to tell when their baby wants or needs more breastmilk when bottle-feeding him.
There are certain factors to consider when changing the nipple flow, so read on as I talk about when to switch nipple flow and more things you need to be acquainted with about this topic.
What Is Nipple Flow?
When bottle feeding your baby, there are different things to consider when choosing the best bottle to feed him with. One of these factors would be the nipple flow. This is the rate and the suction level your baby will be using while he sucks on the bottle.
The nipple flow would measure how much breastmilk would be coming out of the bottle as your baby sucks on it. There are various sizes and labels for nipple flow.
They are labeled slow, 0, 0m+, 1m+, 3m+, and 6m+, which is named after your baby’s age.
But there are more factors to consider other than your baby’s age, and that’s what we’ll be talking about when choosing the ideal nipple flow your baby needs.
When to Switch Nipple Flow
As much as possible, you should change the nipple flow every three months. When your baby is just beginning to use the bottle, start with the slowest suction first to avoid him from choking or getting in too much milk.
Change it after a couple of days, after your baby has adjusted to the flow. Begin changing it a month after that, then every three months after, once your baby requires more milk as he grows.
The reason why I recommend you to change nipple flows every three months is because these nipples are categorized by the age of your little one.
Faster nipple flows are better for older babies, as they will want and need to eat more during each feeding and they need the consistent flow.
After all, you wouldn’t want to be drinking from a tiny straw when you want to finish your drink quickly.
The general rule here is that:
- Babies under three months must use the slow flow.
- Babies between three to six months old should have medium-flow nipples.
- Babies who are six months old can use the fast flow nipples. Don’t give fast flow nipples to children under
- six months unless you are mixing the formula with cereal.
Should You Always Follow the Three-Month Rule?
BUT, that doesn’t mean that you should always correspond the nipple flow with your baby’s age. There are times where your baby may not like the nipple flow that’s recommended for his age. He may want a slower or faster nipple flow, and that is fine.
You’ll know if your little one requires a faster nipple flow if he seems to eat more and gets better in controlling his feeding.
On the other hand, you may want to switch to a slower nipple flow if you find your baby gagging or see milk dripping out of his mouth, a sure indication that there is too much milk that he isn’t able to drink coming out.
Not only is this a choking hazard for your baby, but it’s a waste of formula as well!
But if your baby is content with the nipple flow and seems to be eating well, then he can stick to what he is used to until such time he gets older and seems frustrated with the slow flow.
Read more: Nipple Creams for Breastfeeding You Need Now!
More Tips on Bottle Feeding Your Little One
Now that you’re familiar with when to switch nipple flow, what are other things you should consider when choosing the right baby bottle and how to feed your baby with it? Here are some tips to follow:
- Make sure that you always watch your baby when you switch nipple flow. This will help you figure out if that is the right flow your baby needs.
- If your baby is not yet well-adjusted with the nipple flow after a few days, then it’s best to go back to the previous suction level he was using before.
- For babies who are having trouble latching to the nipple, you may want to change it to another nipple shape rather than its flow. Go for bent baby bottles, which can reduce swallowing of air, which reduces the reflux if your baby drinks his formula too fast.
- Dealing with a baby who isn’t interested with feedings? Then it may not be from the nipple flow or the shape, but by his environment. To give him more attention to his food, make sure that you feed your little one in a dark and private room, which minimizes distractions while helping him fall asleep quickly.
- Choose your baby bottles according to the shape of its nipples.
- Remember to wash and sterilize your baby’s bottle after feeding to avoid contamination. You should also wash new bottles before using them.
Here’s a good video showing you more tips on bottle feeding your little one with the right nipple flow:
In Conclusion
When it comes to keeping your baby healthy and satiated when bottle feeding him, then you must make sure that the nipple flow is adequate for him to enjoy the milk he needs. With the right nipple flow from his bottle, you won’t need to worry if he is getting too little or too much milk anymore.
I hope that this article on when to switch nipple flow helped you become more knowledgeable with the right bottle you need to give your little one for him to enjoy. So don’t wait any longer and invest in the right baby bottles today.
If you have any questions or would like to share your tips and experiences with when to switch nipple flow, then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.