When to move to next size of bottle nipples?

missfire

DS's daycare provider yesterday said it takes him too long (a half-hour) to finish a bottle compared to the other babies. It sounds like it takes him longer at daycare than at home, and I suspect he might just be distracted there. But the daycare provider recommended moving to the next size of nipples.

We use Dr. Brown's -- is there a guideline for when to move up to the #2 size nipples? We used #1's so far so he would nurse better, but now that he's mostly formula-fed, that part doesn't matter as much.

At home, he often seems to drool milk as he drinks, so it doesn't seem like he would need a faster nipple? But I also want to make sure he's getting enough to eat at daycare and that they're not giving up too early.

JARbaby

Are you BFing at all? If yes you have to stick to slow until you wean. If not, try the next size up, if he does not choke or vomit then stick with it.

lizzyjean24

I read a post a couple of days ago about this...they said that their babies were taking too long to eat and just getting bored and either falling asleep or not finishing it. So they switched to the next size up and it worked. I did that two days ago b/c my ds was doing the same stuff and now he's finishing his entire bottle and not taking as long. So I would just switch now

missfire

Hmm, it sounds like if I want to encourage him to keep nursing at night and when he's home, it may mean he isn't eating enough at daycare. But if I give him a #2 bottle nipple, he'll eat enough at daycare but it may be the final straw to make him wean himself off breastfeeding.

BridetobeEm

JAR- why do you have to stick to slow if BFing?  I just started giving my son bottles (he goes to daycare now) and bought the size 2, which is for 3mos+.

JARbaby

BridetobeEm:

JAR- why do you have to stick to slow if BFing?  I just started giving my son bottles (he goes to daycare now) and bought the size 2, which is for 3mos+.

Because you need to keep his sucking draw strong at the breast, if he gets it easily form the bottle they don't suck at the breast as well and your supply will suffer. My older DD was on slow until she was 10 months.

BridetobeEm

Wow, I never would've thought of that.  Guess I"ll switch to the size 1 then.  Thanks!!