Cup-feeding
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Cup-feeding
Cup-feeding is a way to provide breast milk or formula to a baby who is unwilling or unable to breast-feed or drink from a bottle. If a mother wants to breast-feed, cup-feeding is also sometimes used as an alternative to bottle-feeding for a baby who requires supplementation for a few days. Cup-feeding is less likely than bottle-feeding to interfere with establishing a breast-feeding routine.
To cup-feed your baby, fill a medicine cup to about
You want your baby to slurp or sip the milk; do not pour the milk into his or her mouth. To do this:1
- Stimulate your baby's rooting reflex (as you would when you breast-feed) by tapping the baby's lower lip with the cup. This signals that it's time to eat.
- Rest the brim of the cup lightly on your baby's lower lip, with the brim placed on the outer corners of the upper lip. The tongue should be able to move freely to the cup's lower edge.
- Tip the cup so the milk comes to the edge of your baby's lower lip. Make sure your baby swallows after slurping or sipping the milk. Leave the cup in this position, even as your baby takes breaks. However, you will need to stop for occasional burping.
The feeding should last no more than about 30 minutes; follow your baby's cues about when to stop.
Many babies with special needs can easily learn how to cup-feed. This feeding technique can promote the physical bond between the mother and baby when breast-feeding or bottle-feeding is not possible.
References
Citations
Wight NE (2001). Management of common breastfeeding issues. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 48(2): 321–344.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 10, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 10, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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