A special breastfeeding teat is one that allows you to give your child a bottle from time to time without having to stop breastfeeding. In fact, it's a mission that many of today's many teatsFortunately, most manufacturers offer teats that are compatible with breastfeeding.
These teats are designed to imitate the mother's breast as closely as possible and make bottle-feeding easier without causing confusion.
To achieve this, your baby's sucking action should feel as good as breastfeeding! L'mixed feeding has many advantages, such as the ability to share the task of feeding, and it would be a pity to spoil it all.
It's important for mothers to be able to rely on teats that won't compromise the breastfeeding they've sometimes struggled to establish.
As the teats available on the market have similar or different characteristics, we have decided to present you with the most important ones on which to focus your search. The aim of this article is to help you choose the best pacifier for your breastfeeding needs.
CONTENTS :
- Should the shape of the teat resemble that of the mother's breast?
- A teat with a soft texture helps maintain mixed breastfeeding
- A pacifier must allow a flow rate adapted to the child's needs, as when breast-feeding.
- Why choose a nursing teat with an anti-colic system?
- Is it compulsory for mixed breastfeeding to have grooves on the teat?
- To conclude
Should the shape of the teat resemble that of the mother's breast?
A so called anatomical is often wider at the base and tends to narrow slightly towards the tip, imitating the shape of the nipple. Some teats have a rounded tip, close to the shape of the nipple.
The most important thing is to make it as easy as possible to hold in the mouth!
The nursing teat must be quick and easy for your baby for your baby. It should be neither too long, too short nor too wide, as this would make sucking difficult or uncomfortable and could trigger unfortunate air absorption.
Of course, a pacifier will never be 100% like a mother's breast! But it can try to come as close as possible.
A teat with a soft texture helps maintain mixed breastfeeding
A silicone teat silicone or soft latex is preferable, as it offers a sensation feel more like a mother's breast. breast. A texture that is too hard or rough can make sucking uncomfortable for the baby, who may turn away.
If this is the case, check that there is no other reason for the refusal.cause of the refusal before investing in a new pacifier.
It's difficult to know in advance whether the pacifier you choose will be gentle enough for your child.
- Firstly, because the teats you buy are packaged and you can't touch them to check their texture.
- Secondly, because your tastes and feelings are different from your child's anyway. In other words, if the pacifier seems soft to you, your baby may not feel the same way!
A pacifier must allow a flow rate adapted to the child's needs, as when breast-feeding.
The flow of milk must be adapted to the baby's sucking force. With breastfeeding, milk is delivered to the baby on demand, depending on the pressure exerted. A variable-flow teat imitates the way breast milk flows from the breast.
This also avoids overloading or frustrating baby.
You can also choose to change your pacifier as your baby grows. You can find teats with slow, medium or fast flow for babies in a hurry or already grown-up! In general, manufacturers offer different sizes of nipple corresponding to baby's agesuch as :
- newborn,
- 0-3 months,
- 3-6 months,
- etc.
Why choose a nursing teat with an anti-colic system?
Breastfeeding means less risk of colic. This is because the flow of milk is slower during breastfeeding.
As we've already said, using a nipple with a variable or age-appropriate flow rate reduces air ingestion and colic. However, to ensure that switching from breast to bottle does not cause your baby to suffer from stomach upsets, it is preferable that the teat has an anti-colic system.
This is no more and no less than a valve valve placed on the base of the teat. It is particularly effective in preventing digestion problems at mealtimes.
Is it compulsory for mixed breastfeeding to have grooves on the teat?
Some parents agree that the presence of grooves or ridges on the teat encourages more natural sucking, or in any case, more efficient sucking.
But many people are unaware that these grooves, supposedly imitate the milk ducts and help guide the flow of milk, are in fact unnecessary! There's no evidence that they play a major role in pacifier acceptance.
Their impact on the baby's of the pacifier has not been clearly established. clearly established. Whether this is a marketing argument or a trendy design effect is another matter.
Smooth, ridgeless teats are also quite popular with babies, by the way. And as far as we know, a child "sulking" over a pacifier can have many other reasons for doing so:
- colic and intestinal discomfort,
- unsuitable flow rate,
- cracked teat,
- teat texture uncomfortable for baby,
- sucking problems linked to coordination difficulties,
- etc.
Every baby is different, and may prefer a smooth teat to one with grooves (or vice versa).
To conclude
- Baby pacifiers come with many different features. It is therefore advisable to be patient and persistent when introducing a pacifier, and to observe your baby's reactions carefully. Some of these features may appeal to one child, while another may not seem totally satisfied.
- Generally speaking, a pacifier should enable you to feed your baby without compromising your breastfeeding. To achieve this, it needs to be soft and pleasant, with a suitable flow rate. Silicone is a material that meets these two criteria. In addition, the presence of an anti-colic system is highly recommended. Grooves, on the other hand, are not essential.
- If you encounter persistent problems, we advise you to consult a lactation consultant or pediatrician, for advice tailored to your situation. You can also read our other articles on the subject:
- 7 reasons why baby refuses to take his bottle
- 7 caring tips to get a breast-fed baby to accept a bottle
Or visit our store to see our range of teats, training cups and feeding bottles!
