As soon as the bottle is warmed to the right temperature and given to your baby, it's already empty! In just 10 minutes, your little one has gobbled up every drop without leaving a trace.
Whereas your best friend's baby sometimes takes more than half an hour to finish a meal.
- How is this possible?
- But most importantly, should you be concerned?
You'll find the answer in this article! 🍼
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- Why don’t all babies take the same amount of time to drink their bottle?
- Does it matter how long it takes a baby to finish their bottle?
- How can you tell if a breastfed baby drinks quickly or slowly?
- Is your baby drinking their bottle too fast? Watch out for colic!
- Is your baby slow to finish their bottle… Could it be the nipple?
- Learning cup: a smooth transition
- Benefits of the learning cup for babies/a>
- In summary
Why don’t all babies take the same amount of time to drink their bottle?
First of all, understand that there are big and small eaters, even among babies. Just as there are light and heavy sleepers, you might have a baby who swallows their bottle in a flash or, on the contrary, one who savors every milky moment with... delight. Personality actually plays a big role!
Just as their physical state matters when it's time to drink their bottle:
- tiredness,
- nervousness,
- appetite, etc.
Does it matter how long it takes a baby to finish their bottle?
In reality, the amount of time it takes doesn’t really matter as long as your baby seems comfortable. The most important thing is that the pace suits your baby, not you. In fact, it’s not recommended to encourage your baby to drink faster. Nor is there any need to remove the bottle every two minutes if the current pace isn’t causing any particular discomfort for your child.
You can pause halfway through the feeding to let your baby burp, to expel any air swallowed while feeding. In other words, to help them burp! 👶
How can you tell if a breastfed baby drinks quickly or slowly?
Moms who have breastfed know this: it’s impossible to know exactly how much milk a baby drinks at every meal. The same goes for how quickly these little ones consumed the breast milk available to them.
However, it is possible to know whether your baby is fast or slow when breastfeeding:
- If your breast is emptied quickly, it will become soft within a few minutes, and you might even feel lighter!
- If your breast takes a long time to become flaccid and stays firm for several more minutes, your child is definitely taking their time, or might be distracted…
Falling asleep at the breast is more common than with a bottle.
You can stimulate your baby with gentle strokes on the head and soft words to encourage them to completely empty your breast. At the end of the first feeding, it’s recommended to offer the second breast to make sure they are fully satisfied.
Is your baby drinking their bottle too fast? Watch out for colic!
A baby who drinks their bottle quickly is more likely to develop infant colic... If you notice that your baby seems uncomfortable after a bottle, cries, screams, turns red, and squirms while clenching their fists, it might be that their belly hurts.
Infant colic can be very striking and deserves your full attention: soothing your baby should become a priority.
But if your baby gulps down their meal at lightning speed, it doesn’t always mean they’re starving! Maybe they’re forced to swallow quickly because the flow of milk is too fast.
Choosing the right nipple might seem like a small detail to you, but it can mean a lot to your little one. 😉 If the nipple isn’t right, it can cause discomfort, or even pose a risk for your child.
During the first few months, it’s best to choose a slow-flow nipple.
Is your baby slow to finish their bottle… Could it be the nipple?
A nipple not suited to your child’s age
Just as a baby can drink too quickly because of an unsuitable nipple, they can also drink slowly because the flow rate has become too slow for their age! If the milk flows too slowly, your baby will take longer to drink, especially since the amount they need increases, going from 3 oz to more than 10 oz in just a few months…
This situation often arises around 6 months old, when their sucking strength has nothing in common with a newborn’s. It’s time to move up to a medium or even fast-flow nipple, depending on your baby’s age and preference.
Milks: more or less liquid
Keep in mind that powdered formula tends to be thicker than breast milk.
If your baby is prone to reflux or still seems hungry after finishing their bottle, your pediatrician may recommend thickening the milk to help them feel better. This will slow down the flow through a nipple not designed for thicker liquids.
Again, we recommend swapping out your old slow-flow nipple for a fast-flow model. The texture of the milk definitely influences the feeding speed for your baby.
Did you know there are different types of nipples?
The physiological silicone nipple, for example, offers great comfort and contains no toxic materials like microplastics. It’s designed to mimic the shape of your nipple. That way, a breastfed baby is more likely to accept the bottle!
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Learning cup: a smooth transition
If your baby drinks their bottle irregularly, takes it, throws it, refuses it, gets upset, it could be because the bottle no longer suits them. Your baby has grown up and may be ready for the next step!
Have you tried offering them water in a cup? Independence is just within reach… but so are the messes. A baby eager to explore and imitate their parents may not realize that their movements are still a bit clumsy. 💦
It’s impossible to even consider leaving their cup of water or milk unattended... The chances of your baby getting soaked or hurt are way too high. But what can you do?
A good solution is to swap the bottle for a learning cup! This spout cup is spill-proof and has a spout instead of a nipple.
Our models are presented below.
Benefits of the learning cup for babies
More practical than a traditional cup, which often has handles that are hard for little hands to grip, Elhée’s system allows for a smooth transition with peace of mind and without worrying about leaks. The container is made from medical-grade silicone, ensuring no pathogens enter your baby’s system. The water inside stays healthy and keeps its original taste, since it’s not affected by plastic materials.
The best thing about this generously shaped little bottle? It won’t break and can be safely used by your baby.
In summary
- The speed at which your baby drinks their bottle can either be part of their personality or a technical issue… The nipple is sometimes unsuitable for your child’s age and can force them to take longer to drink the entire bottle.
- From 6 months on, you can introduce your baby to a learning cup. This system ensures a smooth transition from a “big kid” cup to the bottle.
The added bonus of the Elhée learning cup? The spout is compatible with the innovative Bib’Rond, which is also made from medical-grade silicone!
