We often associate gagging, choking during feeds, spit up and gas with things like reflux and colic. Almost every newborn baby experiences these symptoms to some degree. One way to help eliminate some of these symptoms is by ditching the traditional bottle feeding method and practicing paced bottle feeding.
simply changing your bottle feeding technique can avoid these discomforts for baby.
What is paced bottle feeding?
Paced bottle feeding is a feeding technique that allows baby to be in control of the feeding and closely imitates breastfeeding. A common misconception is that this technique is only used for breastfed babies. This technique is important and beneficial to all bottle fed babies regardless of whether they are fed breast milk or formula.
How do you pace feed?
-Hold baby as upright as possible. For tiny babies with little to no neck control you can support them by holding their head/neck and sitting them up on your lap, holding them against your chest in an upright position or holding them upright in the crook of your arm.
-Hold the bottle horizontal so that the milk is level throughout the bottle. Only allow the milk to fill the nipple halfway. You want baby to work to get the milk out instead of filling the nipple and allowing it to quickly flow down.
-When baby seems uninterested or pulls away, allow them to take a break. They might be needing a break because they need to burp or they are feeling full.
-When baby takes breaks gently tickle their lips with the nipple. If they are no longer interested, they will turn away or push bottle out of their mouth. Never push baby to finish a bottle.
What are the benefits?
Gives baby control
By giving baby control of the feeding you are giving them the opportunity to communicate their needs and respond to their own body. They will pull away when they need a breather, a burp or are feeling full and satisfied.
Helps with digestion
When you hold baby in a flat, laying down position in your arms and hold the bottle straight down into babies mouth gravity is forcing milk at a faster flow. If the flow is too fast for baby, they will gulp down milk fast to try to keep up. This causes them to take in air. It also makes it harder for baby to pull away when they are full. Overfeeding baby is also a cause of uncomfortable digestive issues and may result in lots of spit up.
When to use this method?
If baby is breast and bottle fed. When a bottle is introduced baby may get used to the instant satisfaction of fast flowing milk. When you pace feed your giving baby the familiar feeling of slow flowing milk that they have to work and suck for. This will help avoid bottle preference.
Bonding with other caregivers. Feeding time is always a great way to bond with baby and provide them with the sense of safety and security.
If baby experiences constant gas pains, spit up, choking, irritability and refusal to eat. These symptoms can make for one unhappy baby. Help alleviate digestive issues by slowing down the feed and allowing baby to eat as much or as little as they desire.
If your beginning to transition baby off the breast. Introducing a bottle the first few times to an exclusively breast fed baby might be hard. Some babies don’t like the change in nipple shape, texture and flow. Make the transition smooth by slowly introducing bottle and using the paced feed method to mimic the sensations they are already used to.
Take a look at this quick video for a visual on paced feeding