Feeding Made Simple - Flipbook - Page 19
What is a Nipple
Flow Rate?
“It’s not about how fast your baby can drink,
it’s about how well they can handle the flow.”
Flow rate is how quickly milk comes out of
the nipple. It sounds simple, but it can be
more complicated than it seems. Especially
when having a newborn.
Slower Flow Means
→ More e昀昀ort to get milk
→ But also more control to get that milk
Faster Flow Means
Lactation Consultant Krystal
says, “Slower 昀氀ow is usually
better for younger newborns.
But oral anatomy and muscle
tone also a昀昀ect 昀氀ow tolerance,
so some babies may need to
stay at a slower 昀氀ow longer,
and that is completely normal.”
→ Less e昀昀ort to get milk
→ More volume delivered over a shorter
period of time
→ Faster 昀氀ow is usually better for
older infants
In clinic, I often explain this as “It’s not about
how fast your baby can drink, it’s about
how well they can handle the 昀氀ow.” And
with Tommee Tippee bottles, nipples are
designed in graduated 昀氀ow levels to match
how babies develop their feeding skills.
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