Cup-feeding is an alternative feeding method to provide breast milk or formula to a baby (1). This technique is considered safe for even premature babies. You can cup-feed a baby in cases when they are unwilling or unable to breastfeed or bottle-feed. You can safely practice cup-feeding under the guidance of a pediatrician or certified lactation expert.
This post tells you about the suitability of cup-feeding for babies, its pros and cons, and the process to properly cup-feed a baby.
When Is Cup-Feeding Suitable For Babies?
- A baby is born premature and is still unable to breastfeed.
- An infant refuses to breastfeed or bottle-feed due to unknown reasons.
- The baby is unable to breastfeed or bottle-feed due to certain medical conditions, such as the cleft palate or neurological
- A baby is facing latching issues and hence is unable to latch on to the breast.
- An infant needs to stay away from their mother for a short duration.
- The baby needs supplemental feeding, and the mother wants to avoid using bottles to prevent nipple confusion.
Remember, cup-feeding is a temporary alternative. One must try to resume breastfeeding (relactation) as early as possible. Consult a pediatrician before starting cup-feeding to understand the pros and cons of the process better.
What Are The Advantages Of Cup-Feeding For Babies?
Cup-feeding is a safe method to ensure continuity of feeding breast milk or formula when the baby cannot breastfeed or bottle-feed. In such scenarios, cup-feeding may provide the following benefits (3).
- It is an alternative feeding method, which is relatively easy for the baby and the caregiver to understand and adapt.
- It is inexpensive compared to other feeding methods. You only need a feeding cup and expressed breast milk or formula to initiate feeding.
- It could be more hygienic than other feeding methods, such as finger feeding, where there could be a greater risk of contamination.
- One can initiate cup-feeding soon after birth. Research indicates that preterm infants born as early as the 29th week of gestation can be safely fed with a cup (4).
- In the absence of breastfeeding, cup-feeding could replace bottle-feeding to prevent nipple confusion in young babies.
- Feeding bottles with artificial teats or artificial nipples may cause misalignment of teeth. Cup-feeding could help avert this risk.
- Cup-feeding could be a non-invasive alternative to nasogastric tube-feeding in certain scenarios where the baby is unable to breastfeed and bottle-feed (5).
- Cup-fed infants may find it easier to switch to breastfeeding whenever the situation is amicable due to lack of any nipple confusion, which may occur with bottle-feeding.
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Cup-Feeding For Babies?
Below are some of the likely disadvantages of cup-feeding a baby.
- Feeding through a cup may cause milk spillage, which might make it difficult to keep track of how much breast milk or formula your baby consumed.
- Cup-feeding usually takes more time and patience than bottle-feeding.
- Babies sip or lap the milk during cup-feeding, which might affect the baby’s sucking reflex in the long-term.
- Incorrect cup-feeding may increase the risk of choking and coughing. Cup-feeding hurriedly may also increase the chances of aspiration, where a substantial amount of breast milk or formula enters the lungs.
Cup-feeding done correctly and patiently could mitigate some of these disadvantages and help facilitate adequate feeding without any risks.
How To Cup-Feed A Baby?
- Gather supplies: You would need a sterilized feeding cup, warm breast milk or formula milk, bibs, swaddle blankets, and tissues. Medicine cup, Foley cup, or paladai are different cup types you could use to cup-feed your baby as per the doctor’s guidance.
- Position the baby: Before beginning feeding, ensure the baby is alert, awake, and calm. Swaddle them in a swaddle cloth so that they may not knock off the cup. Place a bib or burp cloth under their chin to clear spillage. Make the baby sit in an upright position on your lap, support their back and neck so that they may not choke on the milk.
- Begin feeding: Fill the cup half-full with expressed breast milk or formula and place the cup’s rim gently on your baby’s lower lip to stimulate the baby’s rooting reflex. Tilt the cup slightly so that the milk touches the baby’s lip. Remember not to pour milk into the baby’s mouth.
- Conclude feeding: Wait for the baby to lap or drink, pause, and swallow milk at their own pace. Stop in between feeding to burp babies and let them continue as per hunger. Most babies cup-feed for no longer than 30 minutes. However, how much and how long a baby should cup-feed depends on the baby’s age, weight, and other factors, such as their hunger.
You may check out some cup-feeding demonstration videos to understand cup-feeding better. You may also take the guidance of a certified lactation consultant. Adequate practice can make cup-feeding as easy and comfortable as breastfeeding.
Are There Any Alternatives To Cup-Feeding?
Selecting an alternative to cup-feeding depends on the reason for alternative feeding. For instance, syringe feeding is an easy, short-term alternative most suitable for premature infants and babies incapable of breastfeeding. On the other hand, finger feeding is used if the baby is unable to latch or the mother has to discontinue feeding temporarily.
Finger feeding uses a syringe or feeding tube to deliver the milk, and the process may help stimulate the sucking reflex (2) (3). Haberman feeder and feeding devices, such as lact aid, nipple shield, and feeding tubes, are other alternative feeding methods that can be used after consulting a pediatrician or a certified lactation consultant.
Cup-feeding is a safe and effective alternative feeding technique for neonates and older babies. Whether you should use cup-feeding or not depends on the reason for feeding. Consult a lactation expert or pediatrician to know the best approach for cup-feeding your baby. An expert can also help you choose the most suitable feeding technique for your baby and train on the right way to feed.