What It Means
Paced bottle feeding is a way of giving a bottle so the baby, not the flow of milk, sets the speed. The baby sits fairly upright, the bottle is tipped at an angle so milk only comes when the baby sucks, and the baby gets breaks along the way. Each feed ends when the baby shows they're full, whether or not the bottle is empty. WIC BreastfeedingBreastfeedingFeeding a baby milk directly from the breast. The AAP recommends breast milk alone for about the first 6 months, then alongside solid foods. See more Support and CDC describe it as a way for a breastfed baby to drink more slowly, the way they would at the breast.
Try It: Walk Through One Paced Bottle Feed
Tap Next to go through one feed, step by step, as WIC and CDC describe it.
Pick a slow-flow nipple
A slower nipple keeps the milk from rushing out faster than the baby wants it.
Hold the baby snug and fairly upright
Sitting up gives the baby comfort and more control over the feed.
Tip the bottle at an angle
Keep it off the straight-up position, so milk comes only when the baby sucks.
Let the baby take breaks
When the baby pauses or seems to want a rest, let them have it.
Stop at fullness cues
Turning away or keeping lips closed means done, even with milk left in the bottle.
How Parents Say It
- "Tip it down a bit, she's gulping."
- "Let him take a break, there's no rush."
- "She turned her head away, so we're done."
The Breakdown
What the sources say, by stage
| Stage | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A week or two before going back to work or school | Offer one or two feeds a day from a bottle so the baby gets used to it | WIC and CDC |
| Setting up each bottle | Use a slow-flow nipple | WIC and CDC |
| During the feed | Hold the baby snug and fairly upright, bottle at an angle, breaks when wanted | WIC and CDC |
| End of the feed | Stop at fullness cues, such as turning away or closed lips | WIC and CDC |
Why the angle matters. A bottle held straight up keeps milk flowing whether or not the baby is sucking. Tipping it hands control of the pace to the baby.
When to talk to the baby's doctor. If feeds regularly end in distress, if the baby refuses the bottle as a return to work gets close, or if you're worried about how much they're taking, ask the pediatrician or a lactation consultant. They can look at the baby and the bottle setup together.
Good to Know
CDC and WIC both say not to push a baby to finish a bottle. Watch the baby rather than the ounce marks, and put the rest aside once they show they're full. Anyone who gives bottles, such as a partner, grandparent or daycare teacher, needs the same steps, so the baby gets the same pace from everyone. How long leftover breast milk keeps is on Buhata's freezer stashFreezer stashA supply of expressed breast milk frozen ahead of time, often built before a parent goes back to work or has to be away from the baby. See more page, which follows CDC's storage times.
FAQ
What is paced bottle feeding?
A way of bottle feeding where the baby sits fairly upright and the bottle is tipped at an angle, so milk flows only when the baby sucks. The baby takes breaks and the feed stops at fullness cues.
Does my baby have to finish the bottle?
No. CDC and WIC say to stop when the baby shows they're full, such as turning away or keeping their lips closed, even if milk is left.
When should a breastfed baby start taking a bottle before I go back to work?
WIC and CDC suggest one or two bottle feeds a day in the week or two before you return to work or school, so the baby gets used to it.
Do It in Buhata
Handoff Card
Write the five paced-feeding steps in a Handoff Card (Premium) so every caregiver gives the bottle the same way.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Combination feeding
Feeding a baby both breast milk and infant formula, in whatever mix suits the family, also called combo feeding or supplementing.
- Breastfeeding
Feeding a baby milk directly from the breast. The AAP recommends breast milk alone for about the first 6 months, then alongside solid foods.
- Formula feeding
Feeding a baby commercial infant formula, made exactly as its label says, instead of or alongside breast milk.
- Freezer stash
A supply of expressed breast milk frozen ahead of time, often built before a parent goes back to work or has to be away from the baby.
- Milk supply
How much breast milk a parent's body makes. It's driven by supply and demand: the more often milk is removed, the more the body makes.
Sources
WIC Breastfeeding Support (USDA), "Using Bottles with a Breastfed Baby"; CDC, "About Feeding From a Bottle"
- wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/using-bottles-breastfed-baby
- wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/node/147/printable/print
- www.cdc.gov/infant-toddler-nutrition/bottle-feeding/index.html
Last updated .