Pace feeding with bottle is one method that breastfeeding mothers can use. This technique of giving bottled milk gradually allows the baby to have greater control over the speed of breastfeeding.
If you are a mother who is breastfeeding or giving formula milk to your baby, this method could be an alternative. In a way, this method is beneficial for the baby’s development.
Steps to Implement Pace Feeding with Bottle and Its Benefits
Being a mother is certainly not an easy thing. The parenting style that the mother applies from an early age has a big influence on the baby.
Therefore, choose methods that help lighten the burden and also benefit the baby. For breastfeeding mothers, there’s no harm in trying the paced bottle feeding technique.
Paced feeding is a technique of giving breast milk or formula milk through a bottle by imitating the process of breastfeeding at the mother’s breast. The main goal of implementing this method is to let the baby find, regulate, and own the time or speed of drinking.
Paced feeding also trains babies to get used to breastfeeding themselves using a bottle. Later, the baby will have control over how much milk he wants to drink. This ensures that the baby can drink safely without overdoing it.
Stages of Pace Feeding with Bottle
To start implementing the pace feeding with a bottle method, try following the steps below.
- Position the baby in an upright position, sitting up straight, or leaning back slightly. This position helps so that the milk in the bottle does not spill into the baby’s mouth.
- Next, give the milk bottle and let the baby pull the bottle nipple to his mouth. This stage looks as if the baby is suckling at the mother’s breast.
- Once the bottle nipple reaches the baby’s mouth, immediately level the milk bottle. This point is the most important. With the bottle positioned flat, the baby has control over the flow of milk he sucks.
- Later, there will be a short stop when the baby is breastfeeding. Likewise, when breastfeeding directly from the mother’s breast, the baby will stop for a moment, and then they will continue breastfeeding again.
- Don’t quickly take the bottle from the baby’s mouth, especially if the baby is still actively sucking.
- Make eye interactions with the baby. That way, the mother can know how the baby will react when he wants to stop and remove the bottle nipple from his mouth.
Benefits of Paced Feeding
Suitable for mothers to use when the baby is 3 months old, pace feeding with bottle has several benefits. What are the benefits? You can understand the following points.
- Babies can set their eating speed and have rest breaks.
- Minimize the risk of eating excessive portions. This is because babies control how much food they take in and stop when they are full.
- Reduces baby’s discomfort when swallowing air while breastfeeding. This is because the baby drinks milk more stably or has a more regular rhythm.
Paced Feeding Doesn’t Make You Bloated?
Of course, the answer is no, in fact, paced feeding helps babies reduce gas because they suck gradually or according to their rhythm.
However, it is better if the mother always pays attention every time she gives a baby a bottle of milk. Because even though it is minimal, it doesn’t mean that the risk of baby bloating doesn’t exist at all. Don’t forget to interact through eye contact.
Just a suggestion, if you want to apply this pace feeding with bottle method. Although it can be done from the time the baby is 3 months old, mothers can get used to this method after the breastfeeding period is over. Hopefully, this explanation helps.