Switching bottle nipple speeds?

How did you know when to do this? DD is almost 4 months and still using the slow-flow newborn nipple. She has crazy suction power and still takes down the bottle pretty quickly. I'm assuming that means I shouldn't be going to the medium-flow. Is there any disadvantage to staying on a slow-flow for a longer period of time? Thanks!

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

You know, I'm not really sure you ever *have* to switch.

DS never ended up switching to faster flow nipples (mainly because I just forgot) and it never seemed to be a problem.

So if your DC is doing fine, IMO there's no need to change anything.

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Every 3 months I changed it.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

My doctor had the best line when I asked this question......."You don't screw your nipple off & replace to a bigger one when breastfeeding"and I said good point"

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Posted by Mrs-D-Girl

My doctor had the best line when I asked this question......."You don't screw your nipple off & replace to a bigger one when breastfeeding"and I said good point"

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

DD just turned 3 months and I just upped her flow to the next level. If your baby has "crazy suction power" then she may be working really hard to get the milk out. I'd definitely try the next level nipple. You can always go back to slow flow, but eventually, you don't want to be using the smallest nipple. They are tiny!

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

I never changed from slow flow (I BF and didn't want her to get used to a fast flow nipple and then get frustrated while nursing).

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

I think I changed sometime around 3 months then again around 6 months.

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

The only thing I switched was between 2 different slow flow nipples. Playtex has multiple nipple shapes so we went from breast like shape to full size. The full size was slightly faster but not as fast as medium flow.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

DD 1 never went up from the slow nipple. I switched DD 2 around 6 months bc she started getting fussy during feedings, chewing on the nipple more than drinking, and would rarely finish her bottle. The medium flow improved all of that. Doesn't sound like your LO needs to go up yet, if ever.

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Dont base it on age do it based on your dd. If shes still drinking fast then i wouldnt change. My dd was on slow forever until at least 6 months maybe 7 months. I moved to medium and she was on that for awhile. and then moved to fast when she was 2.

I noticed it was time to change because she was sucking soooo hard and as her bottles got bigger it was taking her 20+ min to finish a bottle. She also seemed frustrated when sucking so i changed and all fixed.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Posted by MrsM84

Posted by Mrs-D-Girl

My doctor had the best line when I asked this question......."You don't screw your nipple off & replace to a bigger one when breastfeeding"and I said good point"

This made me LOL DH is convinced its a money making ploy from the companies! He further backs this up with many bottles being sold in 3 packs, but nipples being sold 2 per pack, so that you have to buy 2 packs of nipples for just 1 pack of bottles. I'm starting to think he's onto something.....

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

It really depends on the baby. The pkg says 3 months but I just changed my dd at 7 weeks to stage 2. She was getting a ton of gas and taking 30 mins to finish 4oz. I read it could be from gulping too much air since it's so slow. The proved to be correct bc now she finishes in 10 mins and much less gassy.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

i am surprised that a doctor would say you dont have to do it. although yes, i understand about breast feeding

My son needed it changed. he was not a premie, but needed a premie nipple bc he would choke with the newborn size. i changed nipple flow every 3 or so months, but he was always behind the level recommendation since he started out with the premie nipple.

Sure, they can always get liquid from the newborn/slowest flow, but they have to work a lot harder as they get more efficient at sucking. So getting the faster flow just helps them out a bit

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

I went up to the next stage only once bc DD suffered from bad gas and I found it was better for her not to increase the stage of the nipple for this reason.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

My older son used the slow flow nipple until he was over a year old & done with bottles. I never had a need to switch.

Re: Switching bottle nipple speeds?

Posted by Mrs-D-Girl

My doctor had the best line when I asked this question......."You don't screw your nipple off & replace to a bigger one when breastfeeding"and I said good point"

Switching bottle nipple speeds?

i switched my DD at around 4 months and it was way too fast so i switched her back.