When to Change Bottle Nipple Size; When should I change the size of my bottle nipple? As your baby grows and develops, his need for bottles will also change. Follow this guide to know when to change bottle nipple size:
0-3 Months: Stage 1 Nipple – Slow Flow
4-6 Months: Stage 2 Nipple – Medium Flow
6+ Months: Stage 3 Nipple – Fast Flow
When it comes to bottle nipples, the general rule is that the more you use the bottle nipple, the faster your baby will outgrow them. That being said, there are some key signs you can watch for to know when it’s time to move up a nipple flow.
If milk is leaking from your baby’s mouth or if milk is shooting out of their nose, you may want to consider moving up in size. If your baby starts choking or coughing during feedings and they don’t seem to be able to keep enough milk in their mouth, that could indicate that the nipple flow rate is too fast for them. Lastly, if it seems like every time you turn around your baby is hungry and wants to eat again, that could also mean it’s time to move up a flow rate.
One thing we don’t recommend is looking at how long your baby takes to finish a bottle as an indicator for changing nipple sizes. Some babies are very fast eaters and some take their time. It all depends on what works best for them.
You do not necessarily have to change the bottle nipple size. Most babies are fine with either newborn or slow flow nipples. There is no medical reason to change sizes of the nipple.
The only time you would want to change the nipple size is if your baby is not satisfied after eating and seems to be hungry or if they are taking a long time to eat.
If your baby has a hard time sucking or seems like they are getting tired while eating that could be an indication that they need a faster flow nipple.
If they are eating all the milk too fast and really gulping it down, then you might want to switch to a slower flow nipple in order to slow them down.
I know that babies outgrow their nipples and I should probably change to a larger one but I just don’t get when.
I have a 2 months old baby and he’s been using size 0 since he was born. It says it’s for 0-3 months but he’s been using them since he was born.
He’s been doing great with them but recently I noticed that he takes – drinks his milk a little bit slower than usual, usually it would take him 5-10 minutes to finish 4oz bottle but now it takes longer, maybe 12-15 minutes.
Is this because of the nipple? Should I move up to the next size?
Or is this just normal?
I’m just worried if I change to a different size it won’t be right for him.
Should I just stick with the same one if he’s doing okay with it?
While you can change from one nipple size to another at any time, there is no need to do so unless your baby indicates that it’s ready for a larger or smaller size. This will help avoid confusion due to inconsistent flow rates, which can result in an upset tummy (or worse, an upset you) during feedings.
Generally, the nipple includes both a size and a flow rate. The numbers on the package indicate the size of the nipple, while the letter indicates how quickly liquid flows out of the nipple.
The first rule of thumb is very simple: if your baby isn’t eating well, or is fussy or gassy at feedings, the nipple’s flow may be too fast or too slow for your child. And remember: you don’t have to change the whole bottle when you change the nipple.
If you’re bottle-feeding a newborn, it’s best to start with a slower flow nipple. The tiny holes in the nipples are meant to approximate (but not exactly match) the flow of breast milk during breastfeeding, which is generally slower than formula. Look for nipples labeled “slow” or “newborn.”
As your baby grows and develops, he’ll be able to eat more quickly. If you notice that your little one is getting frustrated because she’s having to work hard to get milk out of the bottle, it may be time for a faster nipple. You’ll know this is happening if she starts sucking in air or her cheeks are collapsing inward as she eats (these are signs that she’s working too hard).
As a general rule, young babies need a slow flow nipple and older babies need a faster one. But every child is different — some move through the stages quickly and others stay on each stage longer. So go with what works best for
The frequency of replacement depends on how often you use the bottle and how scrupulous you are about cleaning it.
A bottle nipple should be replaced as soon as it begins to wear out, tear, or show other signs of deterioration. If your baby has had thrush or a yeast infection in her mouth, replace the nipples after completing treatment for the infection.
If you see small cracks in the nipple, it’s time for a new one even if the nipple still seems functional. The cracks make it easier for bacteria to get inside and multiply because they provide crevices for them to grow in.
How Do I Know if My Baby Needs a Faster Flow Nipple?
Feeding your baby is one of the most important things you’ll do for them. You want to ensure you give them the best possible care, and that includes the products you use.
One of the most commonly asked questions from parents is, “How do I know if my baby needs a faster flow nipple?” The answer isn’t always cut and dry, and it depends largely on your baby’s feeding habits.
A baby who is gulping, coughing or choking while feeding may need a faster flow nipple. If your baby is taking a long time to feed and still seems hungry, she may need a faster flow nipple. If your baby falls asleep while feeding and wakes up soon after hungry, she may need a faster flow nipple. If your baby is fussy and irritable during feeding, especially if crying and arching her back, she may need a faster flow nipple.
A bottle-fed baby who needs a faster flow nipple will usually take far less milk than his formula-feeding peers. He may also show signs of being dehydrated such as dry lips, mouth or tongue; decreased number of wet diapers; or sunken fontanelle(soft spot on the top of the head).
If you think your baby needs a faster flow nipple, consult with your pediatrician before you make the switch.
The first thing to check is how your baby is feeding. A fast flow nipple will be designed to keep up with a baby who is “milk hungry,” meaning they feed quickly and vigorously. If you’re seeing signs that they’re gulping down milk in large amounts, a faster flow nipple may be needed.
Look for these signs to see if your baby needs a faster flow nipple:
Your baby is taking milk so quickly that milk is shooting out of their mouth or nose
They’re being fussy during feedings
They’re gassy and burping a lot during feedings
If your baby is showing any of these signs, talk to your pediatrician about getting a faster flow nipple.
Knowing when it’s time to change the flow of your baby’s bottle is a common question and often parents are unsure whether to use a faster flow nipple. The following signs may indicate that it’s time to switch to a faster flow nipple.
Your baby is taking less than 30 minutes for each feeding
Your baby begins to suckle in short, rapid bursts rather than long, slow sucks
Your baby is fussy and/or gulps air while feeding
Your baby falls asleep during feedings due to long feedings
The rate at which your baby drinks will vary, but it is important to make sure to watch for signs that your baby is ready for a new flow.
When you start feeding your baby, if he or she is gulping and swallowing rapidly, or pulling away from the bottle and crying and fussing, those are signs that the flow rate of your nipple may be too slow. If you notice this during a feeding, try switching to a faster flow nipple. If you notice these signs even before the feeding begins, consider switching to a faster flow nipple and see if it helps.
If your baby has been using a faster flow nipple for two or three weeks and seems to be drinking more slowly than usual, then you may want to try a slower flow nipple.
The nipple hole size is determined by the age and size of your baby. If the milk is flowing too fast for your baby, simply pinch the nipple at the base, where it meets the bottle to slow down the flow, or use a nipple with a slower flow rate.
If you feel like your baby is sucking in air from their bottle, which can cause stomach upset and gas, a faster flow nipple may be needed.
Typically, babies under 3 months will be using a newborn or slow flow nipple. Babies that are 3 months and older can use a medium flow nipple. Babies 6 months and older can use fast flow nipples. We recommend that you always check with your child’s pediatrician to determine what they recommend when it comes to bottle feeding.
Babies are born with the rooting reflex, which is what allows them to turn their heads and open their mouths when something touches their cheek.
This feeding behavior is part of their survival instinct. When they are hungry, they will root around until they find something to eat.
It’s a good thing that they have this reflex. Think about it—babies enter the world with empty stomachs. They don’t have the time or energy to try to find food on their own.
The rooting reflex helps them get fed as quickly as possible.
At first, babies may not be able to coordinate sucking, breathing, and swallowing at the same time. This can lead to a lot of air intake for your baby and can cause gas pains and tummy troubles.As your baby gets older, this will happen less often (usually by 3 months old).
How Do You Know if Bottle Nipple is Too Slow?
Bottle nipples come in a variety of flow rates, and you may need to experiment with a few before finding the right one for your baby. If the nipple is too slow, your baby will get frustrated trying to suckle enough milk to satisfy his hunger. If the bottle nipple is too fast, he’ll suck in a lot of air along with the milk.
The symptoms of a too-slow bottle nipple are similar to those of colic. After feeding, your baby may be gassy, fussy and irritable. You can try switching from a slow-flow to a medium-flow or fast-flow bottle nipple to see if that helps. If it does — and especially if it causes him to finish faster or eat more at each feeding — then you know he was having trouble getting enough milk through the slower flow rate.
If your baby is taking breast milk from a bottle, this can be even more confusing because breast milk generally flows faster than formula. This means that even if you used the same flow rate on both formula and breast milk bottles, your baby might have trouble with his formula bottle but not his breast milk bottle. The only way to know for sure whether the problem is one of flow rate or something else is by experimenting with different nipples and
I would say that if your baby is constantly chewing on the nipple, or getting frustrated and pulling off the bottle then it is too slow. I have a speed/slow nipple guide.
http://www.babygizmo.com/how-to-choose-the-right-bottle-and-nipple/
I’d go for the medium flow if your baby is under 6 months. If you are using a newborn nipple, then absolutely go for the medium flow nipples. Newborn nipples are designed for very little milk to drip out so they are more like a breast than other nipples, but when you switch from breast to bottle, you want to make sure baby gets some milk as quickly as possible. The faster flow rate will help with that transition.
If you are using something like Dr Browns or Avent, most of those brands have their own slow/medium/fast (or their own variations) so just look at what size and age they recommend for each type of nipple.
A baby drinking from a bottle should not choke, gulp or cough. If your baby is doing any of these things, the nipple is too slow. Slow-flow nipples are meant for babies younger than three months old; however, not all babies are ready to drink from one at this age. To check the flow rate, turn the bottle upside down and watch how the liquid drips out. If the liquid runs in a steady stream, you have a medium-flow nipple. If the liquid comes out in drops, you have a slow-flow nipple.
If your baby is choking or coughing while eating from a bottle nipple with a slow flow rate, it’s time to switch to a medium flow rate. The medium-flow nipple allows more liquid to come out at one time than the slow-flow nipple but still provides enough resistance so that your baby doesn’t gulp too much liquid at once.
Hi,
A few things to consider. Does your baby get frustrated while feeding? Does the bottle drip when he is not sucking? Does he cough or choke? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may need a faster flow. If you answered no, then it sounds like the right flow for him. There are times when I had to change to a faster flow nipple because my baby was getting frustrated (especially when she was going through a growth spurt and wanted to eat more). I also had some nipples that dripped even though my baby was not sucking any more. Good luck!
You should not have to use a faster nipple for a newborn. I would contact Dr. Brown’s and ask them about this problem. When the bottle is at a 45 degree angle, it should take 20 minutes for the bottle to empty. If it’s emptying faster than this, then there is likely an issue with the nipple or the flow control insert.
It’s hard to tell if a nipple is too fast or slow. That’s why they have rates of flow. I think it takes a while to get used to them and know what will work best for your baby.
The fast ones worked great for my son, but the slow ones were too slow and he wasn’t happy. Let him feed himself at his own pace and you’ll know if the nipple is right or not. If he’s frustrated, try a different one.
If the nipple is fast, then the milk will gush out quickly and he’ll get frustrated that it’s all over the place and not in his mouth. A slower nipple will work better in that case….
If the baby has to work too hard to get milk out of the bottle, it could be the wrong nipple.
The nipple should be soft and flexible. The hole in the nipple should be small enough so that the baby doesn’t get too much milk at one time. If the hole is too big, the baby may get too much milk and choke.
To test a nipple, turn it upside down and squeeze gently to see if a single drop falls out. If more than one drop comes out, try a different nipple.
If you’re using an automatic flow bottle, make sure it says “slow flow” or “newborn.”