Friday, May 25, 2007

Breastfeeding - Avoiding Artificial Nipple Preference/Confusion

Your baby begins to learn and practice the correct breastfeeding suck with the very first nursing experience. When both breast and bottle are offered in the early days, your baby may become "nipple confused" or may simply prefer the bottle nipple. Breastfeeding is an active process for the baby; bottlefeeding, however, is passive and requires a different type of suck. A baby who is bottle-fed early can have difficulty transferring learning to the breast. Avoid using any rubber teats (nipples) or pacifiers (soothers, dummies) during the first weeks. If your baby needs supplementation for a medical reason, use a cup. Even a tiny baby can drink from a small medicine or paper cup!

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