When To Switch To Faster Flow Nipple?

Knowing when to switch to a fast nipple might be a bit difficult for you to tell, and your baby might end up choking, swallowing too much, or gagging if the flow ends up being too fast.

They might struggle to take in enough amount of milk if the flow is too slow.

This is why it is very important that you try to get it right when necessary, and the age of the baby is used most times in determining when to switch to a different nipple flow.

In addition to this, there are several other factors that come into play when deciding when to switch to another nipple flow.

Several baby bottles come with an age inscription on them that tells you when to switch to a particular flow, and you can also find this age information on the manufacturer’s website if you cannot find it written on the bottle.

When To Switch To Faster Flow Nipple

You can only switch to fast nipple flow when you are dealing with an older baby, and the reason for this is that they can handle a faster flow and can also consume more.

So many manufacturers are known to follow this guideline, so take a look at this duration below;

When To Switch To Faster Nipple Flow

  • Slow flow – is ideal for children aged zero to three months
  • Medium flow – ideal for children aged three to six months
  • Fast flow – Ideal for children aged six to twelve months

The fact that all babies are different doesn’t really make age a good deciding factor, but there are several other likes like we mentioned earlier that indicate your baby is ready for another nipple flow. These factors are;

  • Nipple flattening
  • Sucking hard
  • Bottle smacking
  • Feeling aggravated when sucking
  • Eat less but feels hungry again after a short period of time
  • Takes a long time to feed

How Do You Know When To Switch To Fast Nipples?

The two views regarding switching between nipples are a matter of if and when, and there are people who are of the opinion that the flow rate stays the same and should never be changed.

People who believe this also think that since the breast flow doesn’t change, there is no point in changing the bottle flow.

The truth is it is only your baby that can tell you when to switch to fast-flow nipples, and this would show in their action when feeding.

What this means is it is through their feeding behavior you will be able to tell if they are ready to increase their flow rate, and here are some tips to guide you;

  • They begin fussing with the bottle
  • They latch and unlatch while feeding
  • The nipple collapses when feeding
  • They tend to act agitated
  • They tug or bite on the nipple
  • They tend to tug several times before proceeding to swallow
  • They spend longer time feeding than necessary
  • They no longer finish the amount of milk they once finished

You should consider increasing the flow rate when you notice these signs that have been listed above.

How Do You Know If Your Nipple Flow Is Too Slow?

Baby milk flow rate doesn’t only feel too fast as there are times when it feels too slow too, but how do you know if your nipple flow is too slow?

You can tell if the nipple flow is too slow by paying attention to some of the behaviors the baby puts up when feeding.

Older babies will require a faster flow rate as the quantity of milk older babies consume tends to increase as well.

Here are some of the signs that will show you the nipple for use in feeding your baby is too slow;

  • Baby sucks three or more times before eventually swallowing
  • Baby pulls nipple off and cries after taking a few sucks
  • Baby tugs and bites on the nipple
  • Baby loses interest in sucking
  • The baby falls asleep when feeding without being satisfied

How Do I Know If My Baby’s Nipple Flow Is Fast?

You will notice milk spilling from your baby’s mouth if the nipple flow is too fast, and they might also end up gagging, turning away from the bottle, coughing, swallowing forcefully, gulping, and spitting up.

In some cases, your baby might experience some digestive issues if the nipple is too fast.

The digestive issues occur as long as the flow rate is too fast for the baby, and trust this experience to make feeding time uncomfortable and squirmy for your little one. This is likely to end up in a build-up of gas in your little one.

In other cases, your baby might not really like the nipple when showing you all of these signs. If you feel nipple issues are the reason why your baby is feeling this way then I think you should consider changing the nipple to something else with another feature, shape, or material.

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When Should I Adjust Nipple Flow?

Just like we mentioned earlier in this post, the age description on most baby bottles will tell you when to adjust nipple flow.

There are bottles you might not find the age description on, but you can also refer to the manufacturer’s website for more information regarding this.

Here is an age indication showing you the right age to adjust nipple flow for your little one;

  • Slow flow is for babies aged zero to three months
  • Medium flow is for babies aged three to six months
  • Fast flow is for babies aged six to twelve months

Can A One Month Old Use A Size 2 Nipple?

The answer to this question is no as a one-month-old baby isn’t expected or required to make use of a size 2 nipple.

The perfect age for making use of a size 2 nipple is a baby that is over three months, and the reason for this is that babies aged three months can consume semi-solid and solid foods.

Consuming solid and semi-solid foods isn’t expected of one-month-old babies as it would be too much stress for their digestive system.

You can also consider going for a size 2 nipple when your baby is requiring an increase in the consumption of milk.

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Can Slow Flow Nipples Cause Gas?

Yes, slow-flow nipples are capable of causing gas in babies.

There is the possibility that babies can take in air when feeding with a slow-flow nipple, and the best way to resolve this situation is by making use of a ventilated nipple.

The purpose of making use of a ventilated nipple is to release the air that is being trapped when your baby feeds, and this helps in reducing gas in babies.

Another way to reduce gas when your baby feeds using a slow-flow nipple is to ensure that your baby has a very good and firm latch.

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