Transitioning nipples: UPDATE in comments

JEPES1348

Hi All,

I don't think I've formally intro'd, but my LO was born at 32 w 4d in July. Spent 28 days in the hospital (only 3 days total in the NICU), and we've, thankfully, had a pretty uncomplicated course. I lurk here sometimes, but almost feel "guilty" that my baby was so healthy and our hospital stay was so easy. It's like I feel like a farce of a preemie mom, so I don't contribute much...

Anyway, my question regards finding a new nipple for bottle feeds. She's been eating from a bottle since day 1, and we've always used the Enfamil standard flow (blue collar) disposable nipples. They were provided in the hospital, and since coming home in August we haven't been able to find any she likes, or will eat a full bottle from. We currently buy the single-use nipples from Amazon, and they cannot be sterilized in my steam sterilizer (they obliterate). 

We're starting daycare in January, and I've been trying to find a nipple that I can send with bottles that has a cap - and that doesn't come individually wrapped and has to be thrown out after each use Now, since she became so accustomed to the standard flow nipples, breast feeding has always been more of a snacking/comforting thing, rather than a full meal thing. It's too slow for her and she has limited patience for it, so she prefers bottles of pumped milk. That being said, we've tried slow flow and medium flow Medela nipples, and Life Factory nipples. No dice. The slow flow Medela is too slow, and the medium flow appears too fast, and she keeps tongue thrusting both out. I don't know if she prefers the "texture" or resistance of the rubber nipple better than the silicone, or if it's a flow thing, but what's between slow and medium flow  

Any suggestions?  Has anyone found a nipple LO successfully transitioned to after using the Enfamil single-use nipples? I just feel lost and like I need a sense of direction before I buy 10 different types of nipples and they all fail because I'm not considering something. TIA!

ETA: wording

LaciJaxx

We've had the same issue but with the Similac orthodontic one-time use nipples. We've tried about 6 different nipples with no luck. I hope you find something that works soon. Keep us posted!

JEPES1348

Thank you for your comments. I never thought about the wide vs standard size bases, so I will look into these! 

rkcaraway

My LO will take Tommy Tippee and Dr Brown. We also have some if the enfamil. I boil them or use medela steam bags without issue.

JEPES1348

You guys were spot on about the base width! I hadn't even thought of that. I unintentionally tried wide-based nipples, since these are most common (as most babies are transitioning from breast to bottle), but my bottle-baby did not like the wide base. So, we're a standard nipple family

Slow flow is definitely too slow, and she's almost ready to move from the medium flow to the faster flows. Since last night (I ran out and purchased new nipples and sterilized), she's taken 4 bottles and has done fine with both Playtex VentAire and Dr Browns level 2 medium flows. I just ordered more of both along with fast flows for when we're ready.

Thank you all for your input- I'm so glad I asked!