Paced bottle feeding is a proposed feeding method that may allow your baby to be more in control when feeding from a bottle. Your baby determines the speed, length of feeding, and amount of milk with this technique.1 Key features include a slower flow of milk, occasional breaks, and following your baby’s cues for when to end a feed. Paced bottle feeding was developed as a way to potentially help your baby go between the breast and bottle more easily because it more mimics feeding at the breast.1

How to Pace Bottle Feed1

  1. Choose a slow flow bottle nipple.
  2. Watch for early hunger cues such as rooting, bringing hands to mouth, smacking lips, and restlessness.2,3 Crying is a later sign of hunger.2,3
  3. Initiate feeding when your baby shows hunger cues.
  4. Hold your baby in a semi-upright position, supporting the head and neck.
  5. Tickle your baby’s lip with the bottle nipple until your baby opens mouth wide.
  6. When your baby opens their mouth, allow your baby to latch and draw in the bottle nipple. Avoid just inserting the nipple.
  7. Hold the bottle parallel to the ground so milk enters just the bottle nipple.
  8. Pace the feeding in response to your baby’s cues which may include frequent breaks. When breaking, you may want to tip the bottom of the bottle down and wait for baby’s cues to start again. When your baby starts to suckle again, lift the bottle back up.
  9. Switch sides part way through the feeding to mimic a breastfeeding session.
  10. End the feed once you notice your baby’s sucking has slowed or stopped and seems satiated. Allow your baby to decide when he or she is full rather than pushing them to finish a certain amount. Some organizations suggest bottle feedings should take 15-20 minutes.4

Why is Paced Bottle Feeding Helpful?1

  • For many babies, the slower flow of milk from the bottle during paced bottle feeding is similar to the flow from the breast. For these babies, they may transition more easily between the breast and bottle with this method. 
  • Following your baby’s cues allows them to decide when the feed is over. This helps prevent overfeeding. Your baby will recognize their fullness cues rather than just respond to the continuous flow of the bottle.
  • The feeding is more comfortable and tolerable for your baby due to the slower pace. This results in less gulping of milk and excess air intake.

Note further research is needed regarding paced bottle feeding.5 We know moms who choose to bottle feed their babies may need additional support to practice responsive feeding.5