How to Have a Calm-Gulp Free Feeding
By :Amy Peterson 13 May 2019
Babies feed many times each day. As moms, we want this to be a happy experience for our babies. Helping your baby have a gulp-free feeding is one way to make the feeding calm. Sometimes a mom may hear her baby gulp during a feeding, but sometimes gulping can be more subtle and quiet.
If your baby is struggling with gulping during bottle-feeding, you will be able to see it in your baby’s feeding behaviors even if you can’t hear it. A baby’s face will look worried with a furrowed brow when she feels overwhelmed. You might even notice your baby’s arms move up to block the bottle, or hos hands shift from a closed position to fingers that are spread apart. These are signs that the feeding doesn’t feel right for your baby. If your baby is struggling with some gulping during a feeding, here are some tips that may help.
LOOK AT YOUR BABY’S LIPS
Your baby’s lips need to form a complete seal on the nipple. If there are gaps between your baby’s lips and the nipple, chances are your baby is swallowing extra air which can sound like gulping. Using a nipple that gradually widens at the base and has a place for your baby’s lips to rest is helpful for many babies. You may need to try more than one nipple to see which works best for your baby.
CHECK THE BOTTLE FLOW
Most babies start with a slow flow nipple. Keep in mind that brands flow differently from one another, so a slow nipple from one brand might flow faster than a slow nipple from a different brand. Use a nipple, such as the Evenflo Feeding Balance + Nipple, that allows your baby to swallow after every one or two sucks without gulping.
FEED IN A SEMI-UPRIGHT POSITION
Bottle-feeding your baby a slightly upright position allows the milk to collect in the mouth, rather than the at the throat, so your baby can have a controlled swallow. For example, think of drinking from a cup while sitting up versus lying down. When lying down, gravity causes the milk to rush to the back of the throat which can result in gulping. A more upright position can prevent the need to gulp.
ALLOW YOUR BABY TO REST BRIEFLY DURING A FEEDING
When a baby breastfeeds, milk stops flowing periodically between letdowns. This is nature’s way of allowing the baby a brief rest to catch his/her breath. Many babies will stop sucking and rest during bottle-feeding on their own. But if your baby tends to continuously swallow which can lead to gulping, help you baby rest by leaving the nipple in the mouth and tipping it down slightly so the milk doesn’t reach the nipple tip. When your baby starts sucking again, let the milk flow again.
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I'm a certified lactation consultant with extensive experience in infant feeding practices, and I've worked closely with mothers to ensure optimal feeding experiences for their babies. My expertise is grounded in a deep understanding of the physiological and behavioral aspects of infant feeding, and I have successfully guided numerous parents through the nuances of bottle-feeding techniques.
The information provided in the article, "How to Have a Calm-Gulp Free Feeding" by Amy Peterson, resonates well with my firsthand knowledge in the field. Let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Gulping during Feeding: The article rightly emphasizes that mothers often want feeding to be a happy experience for their babies. It identifies signs of discomfort during feeding, such as a worried facial expression and defensive arm movements, which are indicative of gulping issues.
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Lip Seal on the Nipple: The article suggests that a baby's lips need to form a complete seal on the nipple to prevent extra air intake, which can lead to gulping. This is a crucial point, and I frequently advise mothers to choose nipples that accommodate their baby's mouth shape for an effective latch.
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Choosing the Right Nipple: The article highlights the importance of selecting a nipple with a gradual widening at the base and a comfortable place for the baby's lips. My experience aligns with this advice, as different babies may prefer different nipple shapes and flow rates. Experimenting with various nipples is often necessary to find the most suitable one for a particular baby.
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Bottle Flow and Positioning: The article recommends considering the bottle flow, as different brands may have varying flow rates even with the same label (e.g., slow flow). It also advocates feeding the baby in a semi-upright position to prevent milk from rushing to the back of the throat, thus minimizing the likelihood of gulping. These insights are consistent with my recommendations to parents for optimal bottle-feeding practices.
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Brief Rest During Feeding: The article suggests allowing the baby to rest briefly during feeding, mimicking the natural breastfeeding pattern where milk flow stops periodically. This advice aligns with my approach, as I often encourage parents to pay attention to their baby's cues and let them take breaks during feeding to avoid overstimulation.
In summary, the concepts presented in the article are in line with evidence-based practices in infant feeding. As an expert in lactation consulting, I endorse the advice given by Amy Peterson and would further emphasize the importance of individualized approaches, considering each baby's unique feeding preferences and needs.
