XP: Bottle Nipple Question

Rachel Goldstein

I posted this on the breastfeeding board but it can be a little slow sometimes so I thought I'd put it to you ladies as well:

I EP for my twins and we use Dr. Brown's Natural Flow bottles. The bottles came with a level 1 nipple and the boys used to choke and sputter when they were little but now when they suck they make a clicking sound... I think it's because they are sucking so hard that they break suction. They don't choke or sputter anymore at all (they were 6 wks preemie). Does this sound like a good indication to upgrade to level 2 nipples? TIA!

JulyMomma2U2

DS would suck so hard he'd collapse the nipples.. that's when we moved him up to level 2s (we used Tommee Tippee, though).. when we first moved him up, he did great with the level 2s for afternoon bottles, but evening bottles and the occasional bottle that fell before a nap (so he was very sleepy) were a challenge.. in the beginning we would use 2s for when he was wide awake, but would still put a 1 on there if he was sleepy.

Rachel Goldstein

JulyMomma2U2:

DS would suck so hard he'd collapse the nipples.. that's when we moved him up to level 2s (we used Tommee Tippee, though).. when we first moved him up, he did great with the level 2s for afternoon bottles, but evening bottles and the occasional bottle that fell before a nap (so he was very sleepy) were a challenge.. in the beginning we would use 2s for when he was wide awake, but would still put a 1 on there if he was sleepy.

Good to know! Thanks!

luvmyducks

I would wait until they are sucking so hard that they collapse the nipple.

Rachel Goldstein

luvmyducks:

I would wait until they are sucking so hard that they collapse the nipple.

How can you tell?

aussiedaze

I think you'll have a feeling when it's happening. But I know our dr browns came with a guideline chart. I think it had us go to stage 2 at three months. We tried it out and she did great. She was able to get more out without sucking so hard that the nipple kind of squeezed shut. But every child is different. I know someone who only ever used level 1 nipples.

orangegoggles

I'm not sure, I feel like I never knew without trying it out first. Mostly because we use bottles so rarely. I would give it a try and if  it doesn't work, then you know your answer. 

Karen1998

Rachel Goldstein:

luvmyducks:

I would wait until they are sucking so hard that they collapse the nipple.

How can you tell?

A couple of ways - (1) It'll invert.  If they're really going after it, this will happen fast.  If not, it'll be gradual.  (2) When you pop the bottle out of their mouth, the nipple stays depressed and you hear the bottle sucking in air to inflate the nipple.  

I agree with the PPer about using 2s when they're awake.  They may sputter at first with them as they're not used to the faster flow.