Alternative Feeding Methods

Moms might be looking for alternative feeding methods that can keep baby from the negative effects of using an artificial nipple. Bottles can sometimes cause confusion “nipple preference” in babies which results in them refusing to take mom’s breast.

Here are some breastfeeding recommendations on alternative feeding methods...

Cup feeding

Cup feeding is used mostly for premature infants and infants with cleft lip or palates, until they are strong enough to start breastfeeding on their own.

Cup feeding can only be used on babies that are past 32 weeks as they have not yet developed their suck, sallow and breathing reflexes. As a result babies born before 32 weeks are fed through a gavage tube. (read more on breastfeeding preemies here)

Watch the cup feeding video demonstration on cup feeding an infant done by a lactation consultant.

Advantages of cup feeding a baby

- Less regurgitation

- Less colic

- Better weight gain with infant cup feeding

- Easily learnt skill for an infant

- It provides more appropriate movement of mouth and jaw than when bottle feeding baby

- Less time consuming

- It provides a way to feed baby that does not include an artificial nipple which can cause problems with breastfeeding later. (more on nipple confusion here)

- It can be used as one of the best alternative feeding methods for when mom is not available to breastfeed.

- It lessens the need for a gavage tube after 32 weeks

- It provides baby with more social stimulation than bottle feeding

- It is less stressful for baby, as he will only

- Cup feeding can be done by the whole family

- Baby feeding cups are inexpensive and easy to use

Disadvantages of cup feeding babies

- It's one of those alternative feeding methods that can get really messy

- A cup feeding newborn might learn to prefer the cup over breastfeeding after a while

- It does not cater for the baby’s need to suck

- The danger of aspirating milk (having it 'go down the wrong way' into the lungs). This is why you need to be alert while doing this as not to pour the milk down baby’s throat.

How to cup feed baby

- Swaddle baby so that cup is not knocked over

- Baby should be in an upright position

- Fill the cup half full with breast milk

- Rest the brim of the cup on baby’s lower lip.

- Tip the cup so that the milk only touches baby’s lips.

Do not pour the milk into baby’s mouth.

- Baby should lap or sip at the milk

- Stop to burp baby every few minutes

- Try cup feed baby when he is alert.

Finger feeding

Finger feeding is a breastfeeding alternative used for when baby refuses the breast or refuses to latch on. Finger feeding is used to train baby on how to suck.

How to finger feed

- Wash your hands

- Baby’s head needs to be supported and he should be facing you.

- You will need a lactation aid which is a feeding tube that is attached to a feeding bottle. The tube should be lined up on your index finger.

- Using your finger you can start to gently tickle baby’s lips so that he can start to suck on your finger

- Your finger should be placed with the soft part on baby’s palate.

- If baby doesn’t suck you might need to lift the feeding bottle as to allow the breast milk to run down the tube.

- Remember that a finger feeding infant should not be finger fed to satisfy hunger but only used as a way for baby to learn to suck.

Lactation aid “supplementing while breastfeeding”

Lactation aids are used to supplement baby while he is at the breast with a tube and bottle filled with your breast milk. The tube is inserted into baby’s mouth with your own nipple. The sucking helps stimulate mom’s milk supply and is mostly used by moms who have adopted a baby or who are trying to re-establish milk supply because of baby being premature. Moms will be breastfeeding and pumping to get their breast milk supplies up.

How to use a lactation aid

- Baby should be latched onto the breast first and then the tube can be slipped into baby’s mouth. This can be done after baby has nursed on both breasts.

- Proper latching on will enable baby to use the lactation aid easier.

- The tube can be taped to mom’s breasts if it makes things easier for her.

- Mom might need to hold the tube in place while breastfeeding. The tube should be placed in the corner of baby’s mouth.

- Baby should not take longer than 20 minutes to finish 30ml as this could indicate that he is not properly latched on.

Advantages lactation aids “supplemental nursing system”

- Babies are kept at the breast

- Mothers learn to breastfeed, even if they are mostly breastfeeding formula in the beginning

- Baby is less likely to reject the breast than if he was supplemented with a bottle or cup.

- Mom can be breastfeeding and formula feeding baby at the same time without using a bottle.

- Moms breast are stimulated for increasing milk supply

Other alternative feeding methods

- Spoon feeding – Allow baby to take the milk at his own pace by placing the spoon on the tip of baby’s lip.

- Syringe feeding – Drop milk into baby’s mouth while holding him upright. This can also be used to supplement breastfeeding by placing the syringe in the corner of baby’s mouth while breast feeding, this will encourage baby to suck.

- A special bottle sometimes called a “breastfeeding bottle” or known as a Haberman Feeder can be used for infants with oral or facial abnormalities or for infants who have a delayed suck reflex.

- As a last resort moms might decide to pump exclusively... read more on this here

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with alternative feeding methods

- Suck problems

- Breastfeeding preemies

- Adoptive breastfeeding

- Breast milk storage guidelines

- From breastfeeding to bottle feeding

- Breastfeeding with flat or inverted nipples

- Combination feeding ~ mixing breast milk with formula